Chairing Excellence

Each year, OYE recognizes administrators who provide outstanding support of junior agricultural programs within their representive school districts across the state of Oklahoma.

Administrators are nominated through an essay application by student and teacher representatives. It is of the utmost importance to the future of agriculture, to the Oklahoma Youth Expo, and to the young people of our state’s agricultural programs to have the support of administrators and their school as a whole.

The Oklahoma Youth Expo is proud to present this year’s recipients of the Chairman’s Award.

Dexter Matlock, Chattanooga Public Schools

Hailing from Chattanooga, Dexter Matlock is the principal at Chattanooga Public Schools where he is a proud supporter of their agricultural program. Having served as a former ag teacher, his knowledge of ag programs and desire to assist students with their ag projects is second to none. On his own time, he can often be found assisting students with their projects.

Being from a small community, Matlock has worked to create an environment where coaches and ag teachers work together in order for students to be able to partake in both 4-H and FFA contests, as well as participate in sports.

Matlock’s visionary leadership is a large reason for Chattanooga’s continued success.

Craig Church, Fairview Public Schools

As the superintendent of Fairview Public Schools, Craig Church has been actively involved in the Fairview FFA chapter, specifically the junior livestock program. Each year, he regularly attends each livestock show and is a proud financial supporter of the chapter, as well as Major County 4-H and the livestock booster club.

Recently, he has worked within the community to help improve facilities and garner support for the livestock program. He also saw through the passing of a county bond in order to fund construction of a new county fairgrounds. Additionally, he was instrumental in passing a bond issue, which built the agricultural education building. He is currently working to provide funds for a new school farm to fit the ever-growing FFA program at Fairview.

Dusty Torrey, Locust Grove Public Schools

Locust Grove Public Schools’ superintendent, Dusty Torrey, is a proud supporter of agriculture and Locust Grove’s FFA program. Each year, Torrey not only attends local, county and state shows to support his students, but he also highlights their accomplishments regularly at school board meetings and other community events.

This last fall, Torrey personally made a financial add-on to every Locust Grove 4-H and FFA student who made it to the premium sale at the county fair. He also has worked to make much needed improvements to the Joe Cunningham school farm. Today, he is planning to construct a new agriculture building to better serve their FFA program. His support for agriculture goes far beyond the call of duty.

Brent Haken, Morrison High School

Mr. Haken is committed to serving the Morrison community and specifically the agricultural students and programs. As a past ag teacher and active leader in Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Haken is truly connected to agriculture and works to inspire others.

Throughout the past few years, he’s shifted careers from ag teacher to now the superintendent of Morrison High School. He regularly volunteers his time, resources and expertise to support the local 4-H and FFA members. Whether it is helping trim feet, or clip and fit cattle, or simply helping at the local shows, he lives and breathes agriculture. He understands and avidly promotes the local 4-H and FFA programs because he knows the value of agriculture and what sudents can learn from these programs.

Stan Cochran, Latta High School

Mr. Cochran is a principal with expectations, and one of these is to have a successful agriculture program at Latta High School. To do this, he knows that you lead by example. Each year, he attends local, county and state shows, assisting students with their ag projects, working to grow the program.

Throughout the past eight years, the program has grown from 25 students to now more than 80. Part of this success comes from his desire to put these students under the spotlight, showcasing their successes to the community by recognizing them at sporting events and announcing their accomplishments across the loud speaker during school. He also is always willing to take students to speech contests, conventions and various ag events, truly going above and beyond to support his students involved in agriculture.