Honorees Under the Spotlight

If you are not looking, you might miss them. Often on the move and working beyond of the spotlight, our 2022 Show Honorees are some of the Oklahoma Youth Expo’s most selfless and dedicated members. With numerous years of involvement in all aspects of The Greatest Show, OYE simply would not happen without them. We are grateful to announce Gary and Judy Robinson and Suzanne Gilbert as this year’s Sirloin Club of Oklahoma Show Honoree award recipients.

All long-time supporters of OYE, these individuals’ involvement dates back two decades. Whether at the annual expo in March or gathering items for the Diamond Hats, the Robinsons and Gilbert have dedicated many years, miles, and seasons of life to OYE.

Present for the show every step of the way, Gary Robinson, and his wife, Judy, have supported OYE since the start. Gary spent his entire professional career as an agricultural education teacher, and when he was not teaching he was busy being a dad to their three kids: Shane, Reid and Beth.

Together, he and Judy spent many years at OYE with both his students and their kids. Today, they continue to do so.

Well before the show begins, the Robinsons are at the fairgrounds assisting with show setup. They arrive each day before the sun rises and leave long after the sun sets. No one knows the daily operations better than these two, and we are grateful for their selfless work to make OYE happen each and every year.

Gary and Judy Robinson are continue to be involved in OYE behind the scenes as they have since its inception.

During the show, one could find them zipping around the fairgrounds in their golf cart, solving problems and helping out in each situation. Never will you beat them to the task or see them leave before you.

When they are not assisting with show operations, you can find them back in the barns, supporting any of their six grandchildren: Parker, Ella, Walker, Eusie, Madilyn, and Saylor.

Similarly, Gilbert has been helping with the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma and OYE for many years.

Gilbert has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from East Central University. Her desire

out of college was to help young people, and she continues to help the agricultural youth of Oklahoma become the next generation of leaders.

Gilbert is a non-stop volunteer that has worked continuously for the benefit of OYE and students within the Junior Livestock Program. Whether it is gathering items for the silent and live auctions, being a sponsor or helping in the Beef Office during the show, rarely is there a time when Gilbert is not hard at work behind the scenes of The Greatest Show.

Suzanne Gilbert serves as the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma's Honoree Committee Chairman.

When she is not busy supporting today’s agricultural youth, Suzanne and her husband, Randy, can be found running their registered Limousin and commercial cattle herd.

She is also manager and owner of the Tecumseh Tag Agency, along with being a licensed American Farmers and Ranchers agent and owner of Gilbert Insurance Agency with her husband in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

She has volunteered with the Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show for over 30 years and has chaired it for the past several years.

Suzanne and Randy have two daughters, Annie Jo Gilbert and Dustie Baker, son-in-law, Jordan Baker, and three grandchildren: Taycie, Legend and Bryar Baker. She is patiently waiting to get them in the showring at the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

If you see them around the barns this year, be sure to stop and tell them “thank you,” for OYE would not happen without these three incredible individuals. We are excited to grant them this distinguished award and welcome them to this prestigious group. Congratulations to Gary, Judy, and Suzanne!” – Written by Emile Mittelstaedt