Blaise Istre is the Louisiana Cattle Festival Scholarship Winner for 2004. He is the 17 year old son of Donna and Brian Istre. He is a senior at Kaplan High School.  Blaise owns a small herd of Braford cows. He spends most of his time working on the farm and tending to his cows as well as other cows. His show cows are fed and trained daily.  He has been in 4-H for nine years and exhibited Braford cattle for eight years. He has won numerous awards showing his cattle. In 1998, he exhibited the Grand Champion Braford Heifer at the National Jr. Braford Show. In 2000, he exhibited the Grand Champion Braford Heifer at the Cattle Festival. In 2001, he exhibited the Reserve Champion Braford Heifer at the Acadiana District Livestock Show. Blaise was named Intermediate Champion Showman at the LSU State Livestock Show in 2001 and Senior Showman at the Vermilion Parish Livestock Show in 2004. In 1999, he won the Beef Achievement Award in the 6th Grade Division. In 2004, he won the Senior Beef Premier Exhibitor Award. Blaise is also active in other projects in 4-H. He has completed Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology, Machines and the Tractor Projects. For the past three years he has entered the Garden Contest and placed in the top five. He was 1st Alternate Winner in the Machines Project at the state level. For the past three years he has attended Short Course in Baton Rouge. He was a Blue Ribbon Winner for two years and 1st Place Winner in 2004 in Compact Tractor.  Blaise is a member of the football team at Kaplan High School, Junior Leadership Club and the Junior Braford Association.  Being on the farm has been a part of his life since a young age. It has taught him how to work and has helped him to accomplish all that he has with his Beef Project. He would like to thank the Louisiana Cattle Festival for honoring him.