Leaders on the Horizon

The Oklahoma Youth Expo would not be The Greatest Show if it was not for everyone who works so hard to make it possible, and this year’s Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter class members are certainly no exception.

The Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter, better known as OALE, is a program designed to expand the knowledge of the agricultural industry for today’s young adults. Expansion and extension of the educational component of the Oklahoma Junior Livestock Program through production agriculture is a major goal of the Oklahoma Youth Expo board of directors and staff. It is only through such emphasis on education that future leaders are developed and cultivated.

The Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter will help class members secure and grow their knowledge base and skills by presenting opportunities to explore the Industry of Agriculture. This will benefit not only our local communities but our state and nation as well. Class members will also gain exposure to the legislative process and see firsthand how it affects the agricultural industry. Finally, the students will have the opportunity to join The Greatest Show as an invaluable staff member.

Makenzie Barnes-Elkins is an Oklahoma State University senior pursuing a degree in agricultural communications. She enjoys helping others and lending a helping hand in hopes of making life a little better for those around her. This has provided her with a passion that will lead her to work as an event coordinator for an agriculture-based organization.

Ryan Callahan is a senior at Oklahoma State University, studying animal science, with a minor in accounting. At OSU, he is involved in intramural basketball and is an active member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team. Callahan plans to attend law school after graduating from OSU, and he later plans to continue his family’s tradition of raising Angus cattle. MAKENZIE BARNES-ELKINS COALGATE, OKLAHOMA

Taylor Chapman is a senior studying Animal Science with plans of gaining work experience after graduation in the healthcare field. She later plans to apply for medical school to work towards becoming a primary care physician and work in a rural community.

Chapman is passionate about rural medicine and helping people. She understands and sees the ever-growing need for people to return to rural parts of Oklahoma to provide quality healthcare to those communities.

Devin Giffith is a junior studying agricultural communications with a minor in animal science at Oklahoma State University. She beholds a passion for agricultural production, specifically production of cattle and horses. Devin plans to obtain a job in the livestock pharmaceutical field after she graduates in 2022.

Sarah Harris, a senior at Oklahoma State University, is an agricultural communications major with a minor in agribusiness. At OSU, she is a member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team. After graduating, she aspires to work as editor and writer of a livestock publication, with regards to the cattle industry. Later in her life, Sarah aims to raise elite show cattle and be an events and education coordinator for a beef breed association.

Sarah Haven is an agribusiness senior at Oklahoma State University. She is a member of the Oklahoma State Diamond Dolls, where she cheers on and supports the OSU Men’s Baseball Team. A western Oklahoma native, Sarah plans to return west after graudation as an administrative assistant at Farm Credit. In the coming years she wants to become an appraiser.

Mandy Lawson, an animal science major with a pre-veterinary option, is a senior at Oklahoma State University. She is currently an Undergraduate Research Scholar in the Meat and Muscle Biology Laboratory at OSU. After the completion of her undergraduate degree, Mandy will attend Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She later hopes to practice food animal veterinary medicine in rural Oklahoma with a focus in reproductive physiology and herd health management.

Shyann McWhirter is a senior studying animal science with a livestock merchandising option. She grew up exhibiting pigs across the country and has since developed a love for traveling and using her voice as an advocate for agriculture. At OSU, Shyann is an active member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team. Upon graduation, she intends to work in youth development and share her passion for faith, family and the livestock industry.

Luke Muller is a senior studying plant and soil sciences and agribusiness at Oklahoma State University. At OSU, Luke is actively involved in study abroad trips, having already completed trips to both Israel and China.

For this reason, coupled with his passion for rural and community development, Luke plans to attend graduate school for international development. He hopes to provide tools to those underserved.

Madelyn Scott, a food science major with an emphasis in meat science, is a junior at OSU In the future, she plans to attend graduate school and later obtain her Ph.D. in meat science in hopes of working for one of the nation’s leading protein suppliers. Madelyn has moved 13 times in her life and has developed a constant home within the Junior Livestock Industry. She is passionate about the impact the animal agriculture industry has left on her, and she aspires to share all she has learned with younger generations.

Alexis Smith recently graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in animal science with an option in business. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in animal science, specializing in either reproduction or nutrition.

Alexis is passionate about helping the general public gain a better understanding of how the agricultural industry produces food and clothing for the world.

Emily Smith is a recent agricultural communications graduate and is now pursuing a Master’s in international agriculture with a concentration in business.

Growing up as a fifth-generation agriculturalist, Smith has been raised around agriculture her entire life and has taken part in various internships including Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Edward Jones and Novel Designs. Upon graduation, Emily plans to stay involved in the agriculture industry, specifically rural Oklahoma, in some facet.

Alicia Young is an agribusiness and agricultural communications senior at Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and obtain a master’s degree in agricultural economics.

In her free time you might find Alicia taking part in community service projects, practicing photography, or spending time with her twin sister.

The Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter is a program designed to expand the knowledge of the agricultural industry in Oklahoma for today’s young adults. Expansion and extension of the educational component of the Oklahoma Junior Livestock Program through production agriculture, is a major goal of the Oklahoma Youth Expo board of directors and staff. It is only through a stronger concentration on education that future leaders are developed.

The Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter will assist class members in increasing and utilizing their knowledge base and skills to explore opportunities for the industry of agriculture, which will benefit not only our local communities but our state and nation as well. Through various opportunities, class members will visit a variety of agriculturally based companies and organizations across the state. Students will be introduced and exposed to the legislative process and how it affects the agricultural industry. Lastly, students will have the opportunity to join the Oklahoma Youth Expo, “The World’s Largest Junior Livestock Show,” as a valuable staff member.