Dedicated Discipline

Dedicated Discipline

Dedicated. Disciplined. Determined. These are all words to describe 2021 Bray-Doyle senior, Nichole Cothren.

An avid cow-lover and heifer-showman, Cothren has shown at the Oklahoma Youth Expo for the past three years and has loved every minute of it, she said.

What sets her apart is also the biggest lesson she has learned from her time in the barn: discipline.

“I have really had to discipline myself when it comes to showing,” Cothren said. “I am no longer playing sports to make time for my heifers and shows. Exhibiting livestock is hard work. It’s getting up early. It’s working hair. It’s putting in extra hours the closer we get to showtime to ensure my heifers are ready,” she added.

During the 2021 OYE, Cothren saw her hard work and dedication to her projects pay off when she won first in class with her MaineTainer heifer and competed in the 2021 team cattle fitting contest. The sweetest part was having her family by her side from start to finish, Cothren said. “My mom originally got me into showing, and my siblings show, too, so they understand the pride you feel watching the work you put in day-in and day-out pay off,” Cothren said. “It has been helpful having them around, and it’s nice to do such a special thing together.”

In addition to work ethic and sacrifice, Cothren said she has also learned to discipline herself with her finances.

For the majority of her show career, Cothren said she has paid her own way with her cattle projects.

“Paying for everything personally has taught me to better myself and make sound choices with my money,” Cothren said. “Good things take constant work and sacrifice, and this is a lesson I have lived first-hand.”

Cothren said this is a lesson she will take with her as she enters the next stage in her life: college.

Upon high school graduation, Cothren said she hopes to pursue a degree in animal science and agribusiness with focus on genetics while she raises and breeds a small cow herd of her own.

“Though I am sad to leave the barns, I soaked up all of the memories and lessons I could to the best of my ability,” Cothren said. “I am confident everything I learned through the Junior Livestock Program will stick with me not only for my next steps, but for the rest of my life.” – Written by Emile Mittelstaedt