Encountering Leadership

The Greatest Show would not be possible without the greatest individuals in the Oklahoma State University Ferguson College of Agriculture, and this year’s Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter class members are certainly no exception.

OALE is a program designed to expand the knowledge of the agricultural industry for today’s young adults, which is a major focus for the Oklahoma Youth Expo board of directors and staff.

Class members have the opportunity to travel across the state and absorb industry knowledge as well as gain exposure to the legislative process firsthand. Finally, the students will have the opportunity to join The Greatest Show as an invaluable staff member.

It is with great pleasure we introduce the 2021-22 class of OALE students who are the future of our tomorrow.

CAMERON CATRETT LUVERNE, ALABAMA

Originally from Luverne, Alabama, Cameron grew up on her family’s farm as a fourth-generation cattleman. She is currently a senior at Oklahoma State University pursuing dual degrees in Food Science and and Animal Science with a Pre-Vet option. Additionally, she is a member of the 2021 Meat Judging Team.

After graduation, Cameron plans to pursue a Master’s and PhD in Animal and Meat Science, with the end goal of working in collegiate academia to conduct research and teach the next generation of agriculturalists. Ultimately, she hopes to continue to gain and share knowledge while giving back to the industry that has shaped her into the person she is today.

TOBY DENNY CHATTANOOGA, OKLAHOMA

Toby grew up on a farm and ranch in southwest Oklahoma, focusing mostly on cattle, wheat and cotton production. He is now a senior at Oklahoma State studying Agribusiness and Finance.

Toby’s future plans are to utilize his degree in the agricultural lending field while remaining strong in his family’s farming and ranching roots.

MACEY GORETSKA CORYDON, IOWA

As a Texas transplant originally from Corydon, Iowa, Macey grew up raising, selling, and showing cattle. Macey is currently a senior majoring in Animal Science with a Business option and is a member of the livestock judging team. Throughout her college career she has had the opportunity to work with influential groups within the agricultural industry, including Showtimes Magazine Inc. as well as Reprologix Reproductive Technologies. This experience, paired with her passion for agriculture, has inspired Macey to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Science focusing on Reproductive Physiology.

MATTIE HAYNES JAY, OKLAHOMA

Mattie grew up in Jay, Oklahoma, where her roots of agriculture run deep. Currently, she is a senior at Oklahoma State dual majoring in Animal Science and Agribusiness. Mattie is a member of the OSU Livestock Judging Team, OSU Meat Animal Evaluation Team, OSU Honors College, Ferguson College of Agriculture Freshmen Transfer Council and a Leader of Excellence in Animal and Food Sciences. Following graduation, Mattie plans to pursue a M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science. She says it seems only fitting that she devote her professional career to attempting to give back to the industry that has given her so much.

BOBBY MARCHY CERES, CALIFORNIA

Growing up on a fourth-generation dairy farm in the Central Valley of California sparked his passion for agriculture, which continues to this day. As a senior studying Agricultural Communications, Bobby is excited to take the knowledge he has gained from the classroom combined with his production agriculture experience to be an asset for the industry after graduation. Bobby’s future aspirations include becoming a Territory Manager in the crop protection or animal pharmaceutical sectors of the industry.

EMILE MITTELSTAEDT AMBER, OKLAHOMA

Emile Mittelstaedt, originally from Amber, Oklahoma, and is currently an Agricultural Communications senior with minors in both Agribusiness & Agricultural Economics, and Marketing. As an ag teacher’s kid, being involved in many facets was all she ever knew. She has passion for youth-centered ag organizations like FFA, but specifically the Junior Livestock Program. This is what spurred her involvement with like-minded organizations including the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Cattlemen’s Congress. Upon graduation, she hopes to pursue a career that keeps her involved with the Junior Livestock Program and agricultural youth organizations. Ultimately, she hopes to give back to the industry that has given her so much.

AUDREY OCHSNER STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA

Audrey grew up on a small acreage about five minutes outside of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Audrey is now a senior at Oklahoma State University studying Agricultural Communications with a minor in Marketing.

Through her experiences, Audrey has fallen in love with the art of design, photography and written communication. Upon graduation, she hopes to serve in a role where she will have the opportunity to express her creativity as she communicates the stories told by those involved in the agriculture industry.

JACK PALLA CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO

Jack grew up on his family dairy, farm, and ranch operation in Clovis, New Mexico. At Oklahoma State, Jack is a senior majoring in Animal Science and Agribusiness. This past summer, Jack had the opportunity to intern with a commodity brokerage in Chicago, Illinois, and he enjoyed learning more about a part of the industry that affects nearly everyone in agriculture: the markets. Through his professional and OSU experiences, he has realized his passion for production agriculture. He aspires to eventually return to his family operation to grow their business and help feed the world.

COOPER ROGERS ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA

Cooper is a senior majoring in Animal Science with a production option with minors in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. He grew up on a commercial cow-calf and registered Red Angus seedstock operation that allowed him to show livestock across the country. After graduating, Cooper hopes to find a career in the agriculture industry and continue to help manage his family’s operation.

ZACH TAGUE WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA

Zachary was raised on a cow-calf operation in Washington, Oklahoma, and is currently a senior studying Agribusiness at Oklahoma State University.

Over the years, he has worked for numerous farmers and ranchers in McClain County, Oklahoma, and in the future he hopes to be a sales representative for an agricultural pharmaceutical company or a feedlot manager.

BREE TAYLOR KINGFISHER, OKLAHOMA

Bree Taylor is a senior studying Agribusiness. At OSU, she has had the opportunity to work as the Youth Livestock Intern assisting with both junior and collegiate livestock judging contests, the OSU livestock judging camp, and many livestock shows. Bree had the opportunity to work for the American Angus Association as the Events and Education Intern, getting exposure to the purebred industry. As she looks to the future, she wants to remain within the agricultural industry and use her knowledge and experience to be impactful wherever she lands.

KELSEY VEJRASKA OMAK, WASHINGTON

Hailing from the west coast, Kelsey Vejraska is a senior at Oklahoma State University pursuing a dual degree in Agricultural Communications and Agribusiness. She grew up on a large purebred Angus and commercial cow-calf operation in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout her time at OSU, Kelsey has completed several internships with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and Legacy Livestock Imaging that have been instrumental in her growth as a communicator.

Upon graduation, Kelsey plans to work for the American Hereford Association as their audio visual specialist telling the story of Hereford breeders from conception to consumption.

WHITNEY WALKER PRARIE GROVE, ARKANSAS

Whitney grew up on a 1,000+ head cow/calf and quarter horse ranch in northwest Arkansas. She has been involved in the Junior Livestock Program since she was eligible to show, and she continues to stay involved in different roles now on the management side. Whitney is currently a junior studying Agricultural Leadership at Oklahoma State University where she also has a minor in Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics. Currently the Director of Livestock at the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Whitney plans to continue advancing the mission of the agriculture industry and youth programs through her personal life and professional career.

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 assists 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 are 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.