When Stan Korsmeyer was in the eighth grade and looking forward to playing high-school sports, he was told by the school coach that he would have to grow six inches before he would be allowed on any of the teams. Being determined but nonetheless pragmatic, Korsmeyer decided to focus his energies in an alternative direction—raising hogs. Raise hogs he did, and at age 14 Korsmeyer became the youngest person in the history of the Illinois State Fair to show the Grand Champion pair of Hampshire hogs. Two old-time Illinois farmers were heard discussing the competition. One asked,“Who showed the Grand Champions this year?” The other replied,“Just some kid.” It was not “just some kid”. It was Stan Korsmeyer, who even then dedicated himself to and excelled at whatever he did.