“The values of FFA guide how I lead by example, serve others, and stay accountable in my daily life,” said Arapaho-Butler junior Kylin Oakes, an FFA member, softball player and FCA participant balancing academics, agriculture and athletics. “They influence how I manage my time, honor commitments, and give back to my school and community.”
Oakes said her interest in FFA started long before she put on the jacket. “I have always grown up around it as multiple people in my family have been involved in it,” she said. “Being in 4-H showed me that FFA was something that I would want to be part of once I got into eighth grade.”
Her primary focus in the program centers on the show ring. “I mostly just participate in livestock shows, but I occasionally do speech contests,” Oakes said. Her supervised agricultural experience reflects that passion. “Raising and showing Charolais cattle,” she said. “It has helped me learn to be responsible and to be accountable.”
One moment stands out above the rest. “Winning the State Fair with one of my favorite heifers,” Oakes said of her most meaningful FFA memory.
She credits the organization with sharpening life skills that reach far beyond competition. “Through FFA activities, I have learned how to communicate better, work with others, and lead by example,” she said.
Family has played a central role in her journey. “Definitely my grandparents,” Oakes said when asked about her biggest mentors. “They taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and dedication through their example and constant support. Watching them pour their time and heart into agriculture showed me what it truly means to be committed, and their guidance has shaped both my involvement in FFA and the person I am becoming.”
She has also learned to overcome adversity. “One of the biggest challenges I faced in FFA was having my show heifers quarantined due to a rabies exposure, which kept me from showing at OYE,” Oakes said. “Although it was disappointing, I worked through it by staying positive, continuing to care for my animals, and learning to adapt when things didn’t go as planned. This experience taught me resilience and responsibility.”
Looking ahead, Oakes wants to “continue growing as a leader while being successful in the show ring as my senior year approaches” and “finish my FFA career strong” before attending Oklahoma Baptist University to continue her softball career and major in nursing.
