Gentry Earsom is a freshman member of the Bixby High School Future Farmers of America program. As a member of the program, she has been influenced by a few different people that have helped her become the person that she is today.

“On a larger scale, Macey Goretska, who is a livestock judge across the state, is one of my biggest influences,” Gentry said. “She and I have met in many different ways from her judging my own livestock at Spring Tulsa County and the MCN All Indian Livestock Show where she awarded me with my first ever trophy buckle, to meeting at the OSU Livestock Judging Camp. She has always inspired me. I strive to be able to evaluate livestock on the level that she does and also make a connection with everyone in the industry. Now on a more local level, my cousin Augustus ‘Gus’ Walenciak is my biggest role model. Gus used to show cattle when he was younger and now he has been helping me find my love for the industry as well. He has introduced me to so many important people and has pushed me out of my comfort zone in doing so. He has really helped me to grow and develop as a showman and I wouldn’t be where I am without him. He is so very talented and to have the skills he does would be a dream. Most importantly, I strive to have the work ethic and the drive that he does to make myself known in the cattle industry.”

Joining the FFA program was a sort of no-brainer for Earsom, as she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps. She has also made a lot of great memories during her time.

“My mom had an amazing FFA career when she was in high school and encouraged me to join based off of the life long impacts FFA had on her life that she also wanted me to experience,” She said. “My favorite memory without a doubt is going to the State FFA Convention in 2023. Going to this convention really opened my eyes to all of the possibilities and opportunities that Oklahoma FFA has to offer and made me super excited going into my second year as an FFA member.”