MONTICELLO — Reece Rufer grew up on a farm and attended Monticello prior to graduating this past spring. He also spent a decade in the Hiawatha 4-H club.
He shows livestock, like swine and beef, and has done shooting sports.
With showing his livestock, both beef and swine, he said that he has learned to always put himself second and his animals first.
“First thing in the morning when you wake up, it’s about them,” Reece said. “They get fed before I allow myself to eat.”
His parents echoed their son’s take on his priorities.
“Being in 4-H has taught Reece how to be responsible in all areas of his life,” said Mariann Rufer, his mother. “He would get up at five in the morning to feed pigs and beef and also be up late at night feeding them if he had a game or something else.”
Reece has seen success showing his animals, which has included multiple ribbons and championships. He’s also competed in the Quiz Bowl, Skillathon, Animal Science Days and shown at the state fair. In 2015 he was the Rock County Animal Science Days Junior Champion and has multiple top shooter awards.
He said that 4-H has helped build confidence in himself, and that confidence has translated into aiding his competitive nature; like playing sports in high school and taking part in shooting competitions with 4-H.
Reece started shooting when he was young, starting with archery, then pellet guns, .22s, shotguns and all the way up to muzzleloader.
“I’ve always been a pretty good shot,” he said.
In 2018, Reece became a Master Shooter. In 4-H terms, a Master Shooter rank comes at the completion of all seven shooting disciplines: Archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle and .22 pistol.
“It wasn’t just animals that help Reece become responsible,” Mariann said, adding that it translated to shooting sports, football, and basketball. “Being in 4-H helped Reece become a leader in all areas of his life. We are very proud of Reece and can’t wait to see what comes for him next.”
Reece works at Top Notch Feed & Pet Supply in New Glarus and plans to attend Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa this fall. Bryant & Stratton is a 2-year school that has multiple locations around the country, including three in Wisconsin along Lake Michigan. After scoring more than 1,000 points in his high school career at Monticello, he’ll continue to play at the NJCAA Division II school on the men’s team. He intends to major in Business Management, with an added focus in agricultural business.
