6 minute read
Meet OALE Class XXI
OALE Class XXI
The Oklahoma Youth Expo 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 2023-24 class of OALE students who are the future of our tomorrow.
A native of southeast Wyoming, Lake found her passion for agriculture at a young age through her involvement in 4-H, FFA and showing livestock. Now an animal science senior at OSU, Lake previously attended Butler Community College to judge livestock and was recently deemed an All-American. Upon completion of her bachelors degree, Alexis hopes to pursue higher education within meat science.
Growing up in central Oklahoma, Elliott was raised on a club lamb operation where she spent many years showing lambs across the United States. A meat science and agribusiness senior at OSU, Elliott has cultivated a strong passion for meat science, specifically in the field of research and development. In the coming year, Elliott plans to begin her master’s degree in meat science and begin a career in the industry following.
Joining us from the Pacific Coast, Marchy was raised on a fourth-generation dairy farm. Aside from involvement in the barn, Marchy and his family also farmed almonds, corn and hay. Now an agribusiness senior, Marchy is involved in a variety of organizations across campus and hopes to one day pursue a career in agriculture and own his own farm.
With roots in Washington state, Lyyski has been involved in agriculture her entire life. Showing her first bottle calf at three years old, Lyyski showed steers throughout the Pacific Northwest. When she first attended OSU, she decided to major in accounting and now hopes to obtain her CPA after graduation in May 2024 with the goal of serving as an accountant in the agricultural industry.
An agribusiness senior from Elk City, Oklahoma, Smith is a fifth-generation agriculturalist who grew up showing lambs, a tradition his family continues to this day. Smith served as a legislative intern this past spring, solidifying his interest in agricultural policy. After he graduates in May 2025, Smith seeks to serve Oklahoma farmers and ranchers by attending law school and diving in to agricultural law.
Originally from central Oregon, Westberg is a senior studying animal science. Prior to his time at OSU, he attended Linn-Benton Community College and received an associates degree in Heavy Equipment Mechanics which he utilized working in the Oregon logging industry. Upon his graduation in May, Westberg plans to be involved in the agriculture industry by increasing the efficiency and success of feedlots in our growing world.
Coffey’s journey in the agriculture industry began at a young age, shaped by a show cattle operation that served as both her playground and classroom. Staying steadily involved in the livestock industry by means of several internships, she is now a senior studying agricultural communications with aspirations to obtain a role within a breed association or livestock show — a platform where she can merge her professional skills with her passion.
Watkins is currently a senior majoring in animal science with a minor in pre-veterinary/pre-medical studies. She grew up showing livestock from a very early age and was heavily involved in her local 4-H and FFA chapters all throughout school. Upon graduation, she plans on continuing her education at veterinary school with hopes of aiding in the shortage of large animal veterinarians in rural Oklahoma.
Born and raised on a central Illinois row crop and livestock operation, Schafer grew up showing hogs and cattle at the local, state and national levels. Prior to transferring to OSU, Schafer attended Butler Community College where he was on the livestock judging team. He is now a senior as well as a member of the most recent OSU livestock judging team. He is still involved in his family’s cattle operation and hopes to continue that legacy in the future.
An animal science and agricultural communications junior at OSU, Bryson spent years showing pigs alongside her family. Bryson has always had a love for writing and storytelling, as well as the animal production industry, which is what led her to her dual degrees. In the future, Bryson would like to work in communications and marketing within the meat science industry to help better connect people to what is on their plates.
Hilliary joins us from Elgin, Oklahoma, where he was raised on a commercial cattle operation and first began exhibiting steers. He is currently a junior studying agricultural education and is heavily involved at OSU. Hilliary plans to keep his Oklahoma roots and teach ag while educating the upcoming generations about the vitality of production agriculture while promoting agricultural literacy in a time where it is more important than ever before.
Hailing from the Midwest, Johnson is an agribusiness senior who grew up on a fourth-generation hog and grain farm. No stranger to the cattle barn, Johnson has had the opportunity to work and learn from some of the leading cattle operations in the country, as well as gain experience in financials and insurance. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in agribusiness following her undergraduate degree in May 2024.
