Looking back on his experience at the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, Kayle Englin says he was already surprised to hear his name called once — and certainly wasn’t expecting it to happen again.
The Orange City youth had just received the event’s Community Hero Award when he and Governor Kim Reynolds went back into the spotlight with his steer, Norm. This time, they were named the Judge’s Grand Champion.
“I was, like, really excited and kind of surprised because right before that, I had just won the Community Hero award. And I didn’t know if I could win two awards. So I was really excited, but also surprised.”
It capped a memorable showing for Englin at the 44th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show, held August 15 at the Iowa State Fair. Twenty-five sponsored steers were shown by youth exhibitors alongside celebrities, with the event ultimately raising a record $572,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
From Community Hero to Grand Champion
The Community Hero Award recognizes a youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond in collecting non-monetary donations and raising awareness for the charity. Englin said donations included items such as pop tabs, paper towels and other supplies needed by Ronald McDonald Houses. His mother, LeAnn, added that efforts to spread awareness through social media and other appearances were also part of the award.
Englin’s fundraising effort ultimately accounted for $52,300 when donations, the auction of Norm and an additional contribution from Reynolds and her husband were combined. Englin’s family said about $23,300 was raised before the auction, Norm brought $28,000 in the sale, and Reynolds and her husband contributed another $1,000.
That effort far exceeded the family’s expectations going into the event.
Before the show, Englin’s family had initially talked about a $10,000 fundraising goal before increasing it to $20,000 as additional support came in.
Englin had also already seen firsthand what Ronald McDonald House provides. During an earlier visit, he helped take apart old wooden bed frames, install new ones and replace shower heads in rooms.
His interest in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show began in part after accompanying friend Merritt Moss to the event the previous year. Englin’s family then made the decision to find another calf specifically to pursue the opportunity. They found Norm through the Jansen family in Sioux Center.
Norm initially presented some challenges. Englin said the steer had an abscess on his neck and was much more difficult to approach when they first got him. Daily work eventually changed that relationship.
By the time they reached the State Fair, Englin said Norm handled the packed Livestock Pavilion well despite never having been around a crowd that large.
Reynolds was the celebrity paired with Englin and Norm. Englin said spending time with the governor both in and outside the ring became another memorable part of the experience.
“She’s pretty good at it,” Englin continued. “She is fun to be in the ring with. She’s fun to hang out with. She’s a really cool person.”
Reynolds later called Englin her “fellow Grand Champion” on social media and thanked him for showing Norm with her. She described the event as one of her favorite State Fair traditions and called her final Governor’s Charity Steer Show as governor “one for the record books.”
The show’s $572,000 fundraising total was the most in event history. Since the Governor’s Charity Steer Show began in 1983, it has now raised more than $6.5 million for Iowa’s Ronald McDonald House Charities.
“It Was A Sioux County Win”
Reflecting on the experience afterward, Englin said one of the moments that meant the most had nothing to do with winning an award.
“When I first walked in and they announced me and I looked up into the stands and to see that much pink was just like, really cool. I almost started crying because like to know that that many people from your county came out to support you four hours away is pretty cool.”
Kayle’s father, Garret Englin, said the significance of the experience continued to grow throughout the process.
“The whole activity around the governor’s charity steer show as far as the donations and the work that he did, doing fundraising and getting to go out and meet different people and telling the story of the Ronald McDonald houses and the different families that we’ve gotten to meet, you know, it just builds up.”
LeAnn Englin said the support extended well beyond the immediate family, crediting businesses, cattlemen, friends, mentors and others throughout northwest Iowa who contributed money and supplies.
Her description of the final result was simple:
“As a parent (it) was very rewarding. But again, the support of the community, friends, and mentors…It was a Sioux County win.”
Photos submitted by the family
