Amazing Westernaires' Stories

Three Westernaires reached the mark of selling over 500 tickets this year. We requested two of our Overachiever Westernaires to write about their experience in selling tickets. The Brown sisters went out every day, beginning with Ticket Rally and ending with Ticket Turn-in Night. As a matter of fact, they were still selling tickets on Ticket Turn-in Night!!!! Kudos to these ambitious Westernaires!!!!

A Time Remembered by Tabitha Brown

This has proved to be the best year yet in ticket sales for my family. During the selling period, we heard many different and unusual remarks. One lady approached me and looked interested in the show, so I gave her my speech and she said to me, "You're going to think I'm mean but I have a Westernaire kid and I just wanted to see how well you did on your speech." Another woman exclaimed to my mom, "Tax deductible, I don't think I even know what tax deductible means." Once, I said my speech in one breath because I didn't want this couple to say no. They were amazed and asked, "Can I hire you to give my presentation this week? On one occasion Hannah stopped a nice gentleman who was about to make a donation when he asked, "Are those the same ones that Geis guy is trying to sell me?" A man drove past us in his nice car after talking with us and said, "This is as close as I want to get to a horse."

Here is an incredible story about one woman's generosity that encouraged us to keep seeking our goal. It starts on a cool sunny day at Walmart with another afternoon of ticket selling. Our goal was set for the day's ticket sales and a young woman and a young man approached the entrance. My mom urged me to ask them, but me, being a chicken, I let them pass by. I was at the entrance and Hannah at the exit, so whoever goes in must come out. Knowing Hannah, she went right up to them as they were leaving the store and gave her speech. The woman held out two dollars, but when Hannah mentioned that she would win a horse if she sold five hundred tickets and she had sold 480, the lady looked at her boyfriend who pulled out a wallet and shook his head. Out of the wallet popped a hundred dollar bill. The woman enthusiastically proclaimed, "You've got yourself a horse!" Hannah's mouth dropped to the ground and kindly said thank you. She never thought this would happen to her! Here is a lady who I think should be remembered as legendary in Westernaires' history.

My family has been able to make up many jokes about realistic experiences. You know you have been sitting in front of King Soopers too long when a spider forms a web on your glasses. This really happened to my mom. Or, you know you have been selling tickets too long when you have a question and approach your mom saying, "Excuse me ma'am." You know you've been selling tickets too long when you answer the phone and say, "Hello my name is Tabitha." Watch out for this virus infects the Westernaire body after too much ticket selling!

From the start, we knew that we would need to sell every day. I had mixed feelings about that. First of all I am not a sales person and secondly who would want to spend every afternoon every day for five weeks selling tickets? That certainly wasn't me, but it wasn't possible to win a horse if we didn't. So, I put on my best attitude and a smile and went out selling, although I made Hannah do the first few houses. God really has blessed our efforts. When we went to stores, we sold fifty or sixty tickets each time. From now until I'm shriveled and old I'll remember this year and how God can work miraculous things in people's lives.

These experiences have taught me many useful lessons. If you earnestly strive for a goal and ask God to help you He may choose to bless your efforts. Also don't be disappointed when someone says no when you're selling tickets, just put on a smile and hope the next person says yes. Some days you will have a difficult time selling tickets, but never give up. You want that horse don't you? Click here for a photo of Tabitha and her new horse.

500 Tickets - Mission Impossible? By Hannah Brown

It would have been impossible to sell five hundred tickets and win a horse without the encouragement of friends and family. Many cheered for me the weeks before Annual Show, which spurred me on to continue striving for my goal. It was beneficial for me to set aside a time to go out every afternoon and sell tickets. Having a goal to win a horse motivated me to not give up, and I won my horse.

I have discovered some tips from my selling experience and would like to share them with you. It is worthwhile to wear a cute costume which represents that you're selling; compose an interesting but informative spiel which catches people's attention; smile and be polite no matter what the response and don't lose sight of your goal.

This experience contributed to strengthening and shaping my character. I had to exercise perseverance to keep going until the job was done and practice patience because it took a long time to accomplish my goal. It was hard work going out every afternoon to sell and was a great responsibility to keep track of tickets and money so I wouldn't lose anything. This experience created lasting memories for myself and my family. Most importantly, I realize God abundantly blessed my effort.Click here for a photo of Hannah and her new horse.