“Find something you love, be passionate about it and chase your dreams.”

For Caydence Jackson, the words of encouragement inspire the Oktaha senior’s success in FFA.

“I’m the oldest of four kids, all girls. My dad and mom (Mark and Brittoney Jackson) told me to find something that would lead me to happiness and success. FFA and spending time with my
animals bring joy to me every day.”

The influence of a friend at Oktaha opened the gates for Caydence to showing animals.

“I was in the seventh grade when I came to Oktaha. My friend (Jana Stacy) explained to me what FFA is all about. I fell in love immediately,” recalled the now 18-year old who maintains a 4.0 GPA including her concurrent college credits at Connors State College as well as at Oktaha.

“Jana’s dad was the FFA instructor and he helped me learn how to take care of my animals and how to be a winner in the show ring.”

Among Jackson’s list of victories with “her animals” are winning breed champion at the local show with her lamb and goat before winning the Suffolk lamb breed champion title last year. So far in her final year in high school, Caydence earned the third highest score in the cattle grading competition at Bristow and recently placed in the Top-5 with her Wether goat at the ArkansasOklahoma State Fair in Fort Smith.

“I’ve always loved animals. I work at a nursing home to earn money to buy my own animals. They’re like my own kids. I’ll do anything and everything for each of them.”
Caydence Jackson’s passion for animals and FFA will always be a part of her life, now and forever.

“I hope to go to Oklahoma State University to continue my passion on the road to my career in agriculture. Perhaps I can pay it back to another student when I become an FFA instructor.”