Merida Mckeehan had never shown an animal at the Sarasota County Fair before, and it’s a step she didn’t always feel like she would reach.
However, when she wakes up at 6 a.m. on Tuesday for the trip to showcase her pig, Rusty, the Tatum Ridge Elementary third grader hopes to feel very different.
“Hopefully on that ride, I’m going to feel like I came this far, and I’m very proud of myself for doing this,” she said. “I’m proud of all the people who are doing it, and just everyone who’s helped them. I’m happy for everyone who helped me and made me feel like I can do this.”…