The Byng FFA Chapter Proudly Presents

Steven Vekony

Candidate for State FFA President

FFA LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES State FFA Officer Activities • State FFA Southeast District Vice President • State Officer BLAST-Off Training • CareerTech University Training • Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp Staff • COLT Conference Workshop Presenter • Garber Leadership Conference • Vinita R.I.S.E. Leadership Conference • Glencoe Leadership Conference • Way Out West Leadership Conference • National FFA Convention Delegate • Made for Excellence Staff • Oklahoma City State Fair Staff • Tulsa State Fair Staff • Goodwill Tour 2012 • Chapter Visits Chapter Officer • President 2011-2012 • Secretary 2010-2011 • Reporter 2009-2010 Washington Leadership Conference 2011 • Oklahoma FFA Alumni Assoc. Scholarship State Officer Goodwill Tour 2008-2010, 2012 SE District COLT Conference 2009-2011 • Opening Ceremonies Reporter 2010 Made for Excellence 2009 Advanced Leadership Development 2010, 2011 National FFA Convention 2010, 2012 • Silver Team, Nursery/Landscape 2012 • Silver Individual, Nursery/Landscape 2012 State FFA Convention 2009-2012 • State FFA Degree 2012 • WLC Scholarship Recipient 2011 • Voting Delegate 2010, 2011 Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp 2010, 2011 FFA Day at The Capitol 2009, 2010, 2011 Stand and Deliver Speech Workshop 2010-2012 Byng FFA Chapter Banquet 2008- 2012 • Master of Ceremonies 2012 • Star Greenhand 2009 • Star Discovery 2008

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on a tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”- Proverbs 3:3-4 On November 11, 2012 I stepped into a pool of ice-cold water. Two days before that day, I made the personal decision to give my life to the big man upstairs and let him become my leader. As I stood there my eyes began to tear up and a huge smile appeared on face. Hundreds of OSU students, including my teammates circled the body of water. That night as I was pulled out of the water, I went from shaking to feeling a new warmth surround me. My heart was pounding, my chest was on fire, and I felt an indescribable love fill me. That’s exactly how I feel when I put on the FFA jacket. It binds me with love and faithfulness. This family of 25,000 is my rock. 365 more days in the blue and gold has taught me so many things. I’ve learned that it’s not about politics, it’s about passion. I’ve learned that it’s not about running through the tunnel or signing autographs, it’s about impact. Most importantly, I’ve learned that it’s not about the name on the front of the jacket, it’s about the name on the back. FFA members, it would be an honor to wear this jacket for 365 more days as I continue to learn about the things in life that truly matter. Sincerely,

Steven Vekony

PUBLIC SPEAKING OSU State Interscholastic • 3rd place, 9th Grade FFA Opportunities 2009 • 5th place, Plant Science 2011 • State Finalist, Plant Science 2012 • State Finalist, 8th, 9th, and 10th General Ag 2010 • State Finalist, FFA Creed 2009 • State Finalist, 8th Grade Ag Exploration 2008 SE District Speech Contest- Murray • 1st place, Plant Science 2012 and 2011 • 2nd place, 8th, 9th, and 10th General Ag 2010 • 2nd place, 9th Grade FFA Opportunities 2009 • 2nd place, FFA Creed 2009 • 2nd place, 8th Grade Ag Exploration 2008 SE District Speech Contest- EOSC • 1st place, Plant Science 2012 • 1st place, 8th, 9th, and 10th General Ag 2010 • 1st place, 9th Grade FFA Opportunities 2009 • 2nd place, 8th Grade Ag Exploration 2008 • 3rd place, Plant Science 2011 • 3rd place, FFA Creed 2009 Holdenville P.I. Speech Contest • 1st place, Plant Science 2012 • 1st place, Ag Policy 2012 • 1st place, Plant Science 2011 • 1st place, 9th Grade FFA Opportunities 2009 • 1st place, FFA Creed 2009 • 2nd place, 8th, 9th, and 10th General Ag 2010 • 2nd place, 8th Grade Ag Exploration 2008 American Farmers and Ranchers Contest • 2nd place, District Student Org. 2009

CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS Nursery and Landscaping OSU State Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 Tulsa Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 1st place Individual, 2011 • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 OSU I.T. Okmulgee Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 • 2nd place Team , 5th place Individual, 2011 NEO Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2011 EOSC Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 Connors Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 2nd place Individual, 2012 • 2nd place Team, 2011 Murray State College Interscholastic • 1st place Team, 1st place Individual, 2012 • 1st place Team, 3rd place Individual, 2011

EXHIBITION RECORD • 5th place OYE Doe Showman, 2011 • Premium Sale, 2011- 2012 • 1st place Doe, County Show, 2011 • 1st place Doe, Tishomingo, 2011 • 2nd place Doe, Sweetheart Classic, 2012 • 2nd place Doe, Calvin, 2011 • 2nd place Doe, Hoppe Show, 2012 SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Scholastic Achievements • 4.0 overall OSU GPA • OSU President’s Honor Roll • OSU President’s Leadership Council • 4.0 overall HS GPA, 4.0 Ag Ed GPA • Superintendent’s Honor Roll 2007-2012 • National Junior Honor Society 2008-2009 • National Honor Society 2009-2012 Class Officer • Sophomore Class President 2009-2010 • Junior Class Vice President 2010-2011 • Senior Class President 2011-2012 Business Professionals of America • Parliamentarian 2010-2011 • President 2011-2012 Student Council 2008-2011 • Public Relations Officer 2009-2011 E-Cyber Mission National Runner-Up Team Peer Mediation Mediator 2008-2009 COMMUNITY/LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES • LifeChurch 2012-2013 Late Night Host Team • Eagle Heights Baptist Church 2012-2013 • World Food Prize Global Youth Institute 2011 First person to represent the state of Oklahoma • Future Ag Leaders Conference 2010, 2011 • Veterans Day Flag Service 2011 • Angel Tree Sponsor 2008-1011 • Salvation Army Bell Ringer 2010, 2011 • Teacher Appreciation Breakfast 2010, 2011 • Panama Veterans Day Keynote Speaker SAE My SAE consists of goat and small animal production. I exhibit boar goats and raise specialty breeds of rabbits to be sold during the Easter season at a county wide level.  Future Plans I am currently attending Oklahoma State University and double majoring in Animal Science/ Agriculture Education. After graduation, I hope to begin my career as an FFA advisor for the state of Oklahoma.