- Okeene’s Jess Gambill – Basketball Spotlight Presented by Pioneer
- Hennessey’s Angel Rodriguez – Basketball Spotlight Presented by Pioneer
- Kingfisher’s Emma Barnett – FCA Athlete of the Month Presented by Evans Hearing Aid Center
- Kingfisher’s Bijan Cortes – Basketball Spotlight Presented by K&S Tire
- Enid Smiles – Presented by Healthy Smiles
- Canton’s Hopelin Hood – Girls Basketball Spotlight Presented by Iron Nation Harley-Davidson
- Pioneer’s Kevin Noel – “Under the Radar” Athlete Presented by Jack’s Outdoor Power Equipment
- Chisholm’s Tatum Long – “Under the Radar” Athlete Presented by Jack’s Outdoor Power Equipment
- Oklahoma Bible Academy’s Devan Hawk – Basketball Spotlight Presented by Stevens Ford
- Enid’s Claire Dodds – Female Athlete Spotlight Presented by Security National Bank
Mulhall-Orlando’s Lane Blankinship – FFA Spotlight Presented by Oklahoma AgCredit
- Updated: November 11, 2019
By Derrick Smith
There are some students that have to put a lot of thought into if they want to join the Future Farmers of America Club. Others do not have to think about it for a second. Lane Blankinship would fall into the latter group.
“It was never a question about if I was going to join FFA,” he said. “For as long as I can remember, I have always remembered wanting to sell the blue and gold sausage and also compete for prizes and trophies. The competition from one event to the next is what keeps me dedicated to putting in hard work, even past the point of exhaustion at times.”
Blankinship is a junior at Mulhall-Orlando High School. He has attended Mulhall-Orlando since he was in pre-k. He joined FFA the first moment he was able to, when he entered the eighth grade.
He says that he began showing animals when he was four years old, mainly showing cattle. “I mostly show Shorthorn cattle,” he said. “I enjoy the challenge of learning how to select proper nutrients and feed for each animal.”
Showing cattle is not the only thing that Lane likes about the program. “I also enjoy welding, livestock judging, meeting new people, community service, and learning new skills.”
While he enjoys the variety of things offered by FFA, he has also learned some life lessons that will continue to stay with him after he graduates. “FFA has taught me that dedication to hard work and a no quit attitude pays off with ribbons, trophies and newborn calves.”
All of Blankinship’s hard work has been rewarded with a variety of awards and honors. He has been awarded Star Greenhand, which is given to the outstanding freshman member. He has also held the offices of Sentinel and Vice-President.
Lane has made many memories during his time in FFA, but he has a few that are special to him. “Some of my best memories from FFA are winning championship ribbons at the American Royal in Kansas City, the National Western in Denver, the Fort Worth Livestock Show, the Tulsa State Fair, and the Oklahoma Youth Expo.”
