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Ceres teen Jessica Larken wins national rabbit titles
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Jessica Larkin and her rabbits won two national honors at the 92nd annual American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention in Portland, Ore. - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Central Valley High School senior Jessica Larkin came away from the 92nd annual American Rabbit Breeders Association Convention in Portland, Ore., with two first place trophies.

The 17-year-old Ceres girl received a first place for her Senior Doe English lop rabbit and first for her Broken Junior Doe (brown and white) English lop.

"She did Ceres good," said her mother, Sue Furtaw of Ceres.

Jessica said the event, held Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, was unlike anything she had seen before, noting the high number of participants from places like Indonesia, England, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Japan. A total of 48 breeds of nearly 15,000 rabbits and 13 breeds of cavies were judged by 82 judges at the Portland Expo Center.

The event was a highlight to the career of the member of the CVHS Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter Larkin came away from the Stanislaus County Fair with Best of Breed with her Dutch Rabbit and took fifth in Advanced Rabbit Showmanship. She also won an award at the California State Fair in Sacramento.

Larkin joined FFA as a freshman but has been showing rabbits since she was eight in 4-H.

Furtow said her daughter is attempting to earn her State FFA and American FFA degrees.

After graduating in June Jessica plans to attend Modesto Junior College and go on to a four-year university - possibly in Kansas - in her quest to become a large animal veterinarian.