For Waynoka High School senior Rholton Bouziden, agriculture is a way of life. As the Vice President of the Waynoka FFA Chapter, Rholton has spent his high school years learning, growing, and finding his place in a program that’s helped shape him over the years. It all started with just wanting to learn how agriculture plays a part in everyday life, but now it’s turned into a real love for farming, ranching, and being a leader. Rholton joined FFA because he wanted to understand agriculture better and see where it might take him. “The reason I joined the FFA is I wanted to learn how agriculture works in our daily life and see where it takes me,” he said.
Since then, he’s learned just how much FFA has to offer. From plant science and livestock judging to public speaking and community involvement FFA has become a big part of his life. One of Rholton’s favorite parts of FFA is showing cattle. This year, he’s showing a Limousin heifer, and he says the best part of that experience is the relationship he builds with his animals.
“On a show day, I have to be ready for anything,” he said. “I get up early to get my show heifer ready for the big day.”
His hard work has paid off. One of his most memorable moments was winning the district cattle show in Woodward. Rholton credits his brother, Rowdy, as his biggest influence. Rowdy was also involved in FFA and inspired Rholton to join. That motivation has helped Rholton not only in the show ring but also in life.
“FFA helps me prepare for what I want to do after high school, like farming and ranching,” he said. “It teaches me what to do when I’m on my own and how to raise cattle responsibly.”
After graduation, Rholton plans to stay in the agricultural industry. and continue helping on his family’s ranch. He says one of the most important lessons FFA has taught him is confidence. “I learned that I don’t have to be scared to talk to new people,” he said. Balancing school, homework, and ranch life keeps Rholton busy, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. To him, FFA means so much to him. “You don’t have to be in FFA just for showing or public speaking,” he said. “There’s so much more to it, it’ll help you through life.”
