OYEA banquet a success

PRESCOTT – The Barn at Willow Oaks was packed Monday night for the second annual OYEA banquet.

The banquet served a dual purpose – first in recognizing the students who participate in the program and, second, as a fundraiser to keep the program going.

Former State Sen. Bruce Maloch was the keynote speaker. Maloch, a farmer himself, was also in the National Future Farmers of America when he was in school. He said that allowed him to travel the world and visit the Soviet Union when it was still the Soviet Union. He was also on stage with former Pres. Gerald Ford, and in a parade with former Pres. Jimmy Carter. In spite of being able go go all over the world, Maloch said the most important part of being in the FFA was his first project, breaking a steer, sitting up all night with a sow about to give birth, filling out his first record book and giving his first speech after learning Parliamentary procedure.

“Young people learn these things no matter what they want to do,” he said. “Young people need to find their passion and agri programs like this help them deal with the world today.

He told the crowd he believes in the program, adding it doesn’t use children to raise livestock, but uses livestock to raise children, as they learn about responsibility and hard work while building character. Maloch pointed out they learn how to win and not win, which is all part of it. “There are challenges to be solved, leadership and political problems and the leadership programs in the FFA teaches respect.”

Fred Harris, president of OYEA, welcomed everyone and thanked the sponsors for their help, along with thanking those who attended. He added, students started selling tickets for the banquet two months in advance. They were told whoever sold the most tickets would receive a $50 cash prize. Lacy Faulkner sold 200, while Aimsley Rothenburger sold 100. Both were given cash prizes.

Dennis Guidry, who teaches the livestock program for the Prescott School District, said this is a unique program in Prescott as the animals and feed are furnished, but students raise and exhibit them. This is the only program in the US that does this. The students, he added, are showed what to do and are responsible for making sure their animal is properly cared for and tended to. A seventh and eight grade program was started this year. Guidry promised these students he’d stay until they graduated.

Maloch acted as auctioneer for items sold. The auction raised almost $2,000.