Latest news with #OklahomaYouthExpo
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Northeast Oklahoma students recognized for their brain power
OKLAHOMA CITY – Several area students were recognized by Miami legislator, Rep. Steve Bashore. Afton Eagles Basketball Class A Academic State Champions The 2024-25 Afton Eagle Basketball Team was recognized for demonstrating exceptional skill, leadership, and sportsmanship on the basketball court and in the classroom. As Academic State Champions, these team members had the highest GPA of all teams competing in the Class A Basketball tournament, with eight team members having a 4.0 GPA. Team members recognized with citations include Zandar Mace, Brady Robinson, Ricky Barton, Blake Ford, Kendal Landrum, Griffin Robinson, Aiden Victor, Carter Landrum, Brice Noblin, Levi Turley, and Cade Wheeler. Head Coach Bryson Cottrell and Assistant Coach O. Jay Bowen were also honored. Elijah Lee, Commerce and Hali Nair, Bluejacket Lee, a Commerce High School junior, was paged for Bashore at the State Capitol from March 31 to April 3 and Nair served as a page from April 7 to 10. House pages run messages to legislators while they are in the chamber debating policy and voting on measures, and they help in their Capitol offices. Pages also participate in a mock session, in which they learn legislative procedure and how to write legislation. Nair is involved in softball, basketball, FFA, Bio Club, and Student Council and taking concurrent college classes. After high school, she plans to study nursing at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Elijah is on the All-A Honor Roll at his school and is in the top 1% of his class. He's the junior class representative for Student Council. He's also a member of the National Honor Society and the Technology Student Association, serving as the eastern region reporter for Oklahoma. After graduating from high school, Elijah plans to attend Boston University, major in biology, and later attend medical school. Isabella McMillian, Bluejacket McMillian was part of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, which was held at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. Legislators participate in the Legislative & Celebrity Showmanship portion of the world's largest junior livestock show each year. This year, Bashore and McMillian showed Buddy the goat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Final Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Drive inside Jim Norick Arena
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — It was a bittersweet moment inside Jim Norick Arena at State Fair Park Thursday night. For the final time, the building played host to Oklahoma Youth Expo's Grand Drive. This is a big deal to Oklahomans both young and old who are involved in agriculture. 4H and FFA students grew up knowing Jim Norick Arena as 'The Big House.' Their goal was to always make the Grand Drive and be crowned champion. Jim Norick Arena hosting its final state basketball tournament before demolition This made Thursday night extremely special for one high school senior, who is going out on top. 'Being crammed packed into the limo and coming out and walking in under the bright lights in the big house just filled with people, it's an experience that every member wants and only a select few get,' said Addyson Schneberger, a student. The roar of the crowd filled Jim Norick Arena one last time, as dozens of students stepped out of the limo and onto the red carpet for the opportunity of a lifetime. 'Every student's goal is to make it in the limousine because it's obviously really cool,' said Kass Newell, Executive Vice President for the Oklahoma Youth Expo. 'The feeling in this arena during the Grand Drive is unlike any other.' Newell has been working the event for nine years and says it has grown immensely, but one thing that has remained the same is the impact it has on so many. 'When you go to the grocery store and you're selecting meat out of the counter, these exhibitors are the ones producing that food that you're eating,' Newell said. Each spring, nearly 8,000 4H and FFA exhibitors bring more than 14,000 head of cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs to Oklahoma City, representing years of hard work, dedication, and passion. 'They're learning so many true values through this program,' Newell said. 'These are the students that we want to keep in Oklahoma to be the future for our workforce here.' Less than 40 kids received the honor of breed champion and riding in the limo. The selection process is based on the quality of their animal. OG&E Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds on track to open this summer 'Knowing that you put in all that effort and that they're going to reward you for the success that you've worked for is amazing,' said Schneberger. Many students were awarded scholarships for their success, then the select few who were crowned grand champions. Schneberger won the Premiere Exhibitor Award, signifying an academic all-state student who exhibited elite animals at the Oklahoma Youth Expo. She calls it the perfect ending to a historic ride inside Jim Norick Arena. 'Everything is going to end here,' Schneberger said. 'I think that there's going to be a few tears shed from people in the crowds. I'm very thankful for all the goals that I've achieved over the years, and I can't wait to see what the next chapter brings.' On Friday, the top 212 exhibitors will sell their animals in the 'Sale of Champions,' where more than $1.25 million will be awarded to the top exhibitors. The show will go on, but starting in 2026, it will be in the brand-new OG&E Coliseum. Addyson, who will graduate in May, says she plans to pursue a degree in AG Business, then attend Law School to become an Agricultural Lobbyist. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oklahoma tradition of 4-H and FFA members showing livestock they've cared for continues
On March 20, 1934, even in one of the worst years of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, hundreds of 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth traveled from across the state to have their animals judged — and hopefully finish "in the money." A story in The Daily Oklahoman reported that while some farmers didn't have credit in the bank, their children who were raising show animals did. "There will be no need for federal farm relief in 25 years," said J.B. Perky, Stillwater, state superintendent of vocational agriculture. "These boys are putting farming on a business basis. This show is an excellent part of the program of better farm citizenship. If anyone in the city doubts that the youths are getting the job done, let them check bank records. The youths have credit where their fathers have none." The 4-H and FFA Livestock Show in 1934 was made possible by the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Wilson & Company, Armour & Company, the Oklahoma National Stockyards Company "and the great and earnest efforts of the many boys and girls of the state who are participating," according to an advertisement that was published on March 21 in The Daily Oklahoman. With fellow youths, parents, judges and the public looking on at the three-day event, a 13-year-old from near Stillwater won the grand championship. Henry Van Arsdell and his Hereford steer "Cheerio Duncan" achieved the top honor at that year's livestock show. He didn't mind the win but seemed a little shy about some of the attention: "I don't want to talk on that radio," he explained. "Sure, I'm thrilled, at raising the grand champion, but I want to get out of that radio talking. I don't see why I have to get breaks like this. Why can't someone else make that radio talk?" However, he was persuaded to do the radio show and did better than he had expected, a story reported. Oklahoma FFA and 4-H youth throughout Oklahoma know it's that time of year again. Spring is more about cleaning stalls and washing, brushing and grooming their heifers and lambs and less about their sleep. And then it's about getting into the ring to show off their hard work — just like Henry Van Arsdell. The Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) junior livestock show will be March 10-21 at the OKC Fairgrounds. While youth, their animals and their families will be in the stock barns for the competition, the public also can attend the show and learn more about this springtime tradition. To learn more, go to This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 4-H, FFA livestock shows tradition throughout much of Oklahoma history
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bad weather prompts cancelations, postponements
Sub-freezing temperatures and forecasts for worse weather prompted cancellations and postponements throughout the Muskogee area. Temperatures plunged into the 20s and snow began falling before noon Tuesday. The National Weather Service declared a winter weather advisory through 3 p.m. Wednesday and an extreme cold warning until noon Thursday. Temperatures are to be in the teens through Thursday, according to the AccuWeather website for Muskogee. 'Wednesday and Thursday, it will be extremely dangerous cold weather,' said Deputy Muskogee County Emergency Management Director Carrie Wages. 'You won't be able to be outside for too long out there, especially with any exposed skin. You have to make sure your face is covered, you have proper outdoor wear. We just need everybody to watch their pets, check on their neighbors, keep your water trickling. We're expecting negative-degree weather with the wind chill.' Muskogee and Warner school districts canceled classes Tuesday. Other districts — including Fort Gibson, Okay, Hilldale, Wagoner, Checotah and Oktaha — had virtual classes Tuesday. Warming shelters are open at the Gospel Rescue Mission on Callahan Street and Kingdom Living Church at 24th street and Broadway. Deacon Warren Stephenson at Kingdom Living Church said the American Red Cross donated cots and blankets for the warming shelter. He said the shelter offers warm food and a clothing closet. 'This will be our third time this year,' Stephenson said. 'The Red Cross and many local organizations help us out.' Weather prompted the Muskogee Regional Junior Livestock Show to be postponed for at least two days, spokesman Rowdy Fewel said. 'For the sake of the animals and the people involved, we just made the decision to postpone it for the next 48 hours and see what we can do after that,' Fewel said. He said he does not know how this will affect the premium sale set for Saturday. 'This is uncharted waters,' he said. 'I do know there's been some weather delays over the years.' Fewel said that, even with the postponement, the show will comply with a Oklahoma Youth Expo administrative rule prohibiting swine shows after March 1. The ruling was made to help prevent the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus. He said the remainder of the Muskogee show will happen within the next seven days. The show must be out of the Hatbox Event Center by Tuesday, he said. Muskogee Emergency Management Director Tyler Evans reported at least two weather-related accidents on U.S. 69 Tuesday morning. One was a turnover south of Border Street before 7 a.m. and the other turnover occurred around 9 a.m. near the Arkansas River Bridge. Muskogee Fire Department spokesman Scott Puckett said firefighters responded to a house fire on South Douglas Street early Tuesday morning. The fire remains under investigation, but could have been caused by a space heater, he said.
