I grew up in Shields Valley, Montana on my family’s cattle ranch, where life is pretty simple but never easy. Things revolve around livestock, weather, and people showing up for each other when it matters. I am a 7th generation rancher, and that comes with a lot of pride, but also a lot of responsibility. You learn pretty quick that if something needs done, you do it, even if it is cold, muddy, or inconvenient. A lot of who I am comes from watching how my community works. Around here, nobody really does life alone. During branding, shipping, or even just a rough stretch in the year, neighbors show up without being asked. Food gets dropped off, extra hands appear, and everyone just does what needs done. That has shaped how I see the world more than anything else. It taught me that community is not just a word, it is something you live. Through 4-H and FFA, I found ways to grow that mindset. I started with livestock projects, but it turned into something bigger. I have been involved in organizing ag banquets, petting zoos, and youth livestock events. One of the biggest things I started is the Sedan Cow Camp and Show. I wanted kids who didn’t grow up with cattle to still have a chance to learn hands-on skills and feel confident around livestock. Watching them go from unsure to actually understanding what they are doing has probably been one of the most rewarding parts of everything I have done. I have also learned a lot about leadership, even if I would not always call myself a “leader” in the traditional sense. Most of the time it is just showing up, doing the work, and helping people when they need it. Sometimes it is helping a younger kid calm down before a show. Sometimes it is staying late when everyone else is tired. It is not flashy, but it matters. For me, love and faith show up in how you treat people when no one is watching. It is patience when things are frustrating. It is respect even when you do not agree. And it is choosing to be steady for other people when they are having a hard time. Community service is just living that out in real ways, not just talking about it. My goal is to go into Ag Business and eventually attend law school. I want to use that to help agricultural families navigate the complicated parts of running ranches and farms, especially as things get more difficult and less understood by people outside of agriculture. Long term, I also want to become a large animal vet so I can stay connected to the livestock side of things and keep serving the community I grew up in. At the end of the day, I just want to be someone who helps keep this way of life strong. I want to give back to the same kind of community that raised me, and make sure I am doing my part to leave it better than I found it.

I grew up on my family’s ranch in the Shields Valley of Montana, where math and business aren’t just school subjects, they are part of everyday life. Whether it’s figuring feed costs, keeping records, or making decisions about our herd, I learned early that numbers actually matter. One wrong decision can affect an entire year’s work. That’s where my interest in mathematics and business started, not in a classroom, but in real life situations where those skills directly impact whether an operation survives and grows. Through 4-H and FFA, I’ve built my own livestock program that includes cattle, horses, and rabbits. It started small, but it has grown into something that has taught me a lot more than just animal care. I’ve learned how to keep detailed records, track expenses, and make decisions that balance what I want with what actually makes financial sense. I’ve also learned that it is easy to get attached to animals, but real responsibility sometimes means making hard, practical choices. Those lessons have helped me grow a lot in how I think about both agriculture and business. Community has always been a big part of my life, and serving others is something I take seriously. Through 4-H, I have volunteered helping clean highways and cemeteries, assisted elderly community members, and mentored younger kids who are just starting their livestock projects. I enjoy helping them because I remember what it felt like to be new and unsure. In FFA, I have helped organize a community petting zoo, our chapter’s Ag Banquet, and a Christmas tree drive to support local families during the holidays. These experiences have shown me that service does not have to be complicated to matter. Small efforts really do add up in a community. One of the biggest things I have taken on is starting the Sedan Cow Camp and Show. I saw that a lot of kids were interested in livestock but did not always have access to the same resources, mentorship, or opportunities. Instead of just recognizing that gap, I wanted to do something about it. Through SCCS, we teach skills like feeding, fitting, showmanship, and basic livestock care in a hands-on environment. Even more important than the skills, I’ve watched kids gain confidence in themselves. It has been one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever been part of, because it pushed me into leadership in a real way, not just a title, but actual responsibility for other people’s experience. Looking ahead, I plan to earn a degree in Agricultural Business and then go on to law school. My goal is to use that education to be a strong voice for agriculture and the families behind it. I want to advocate for producers who often do not have time to navigate all the regulations and policies that affect their livelihoods. I also want to help protect land, water, and the ability for family operations like mine to continue into the future. I do not have everything figured out yet, but I do know I want to come back to rural communities with tools, knowledge, and a voice that can make a difference. At the end of the day, I want my education to mean something beyond just a degree. I want it to connect back to the people and places that raised me. I’ve been shaped by hard work, agriculture, and community, and I plan to take that with me into everything I do next.