Hometown: Vian, Okla.
Family: Mother, Jackie Wright; father, Mark Brake; sister, Hannah Brake; grandpa, Carl Wright, grandma, Roda Wright
In Town: “I am a junior majoring in agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University and work as a communications intern/student worker for the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. I assist both the executive director, Milford Jenkins, and the senior administrative assistant, Toby Duffey. One of my primary tasks has been to help plan and execute the 4-H Honor Night Banquet held in Stillwater, Okla.
“In addition to my role at the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, I run my own photography business, Hailie Brake Photography. While I primarily focus on livestock photography, I also enjoy capturing family and portrait sessions.”
In the County: “From a young age, I was constantly around livestock, whether it was helping my grandparents with their small cattle operation or spending quality time riding horses with my family. Being immersed in this environment fostered a genuine love for the agricultural world around me.
“When massive flooding hit our area, I witnessed firsthand the impact of natural disasters on farmers. This experience, combined with my love for agriculture and livestock, led me to join my local 4-H chapter to pursue showing sheep and goats. I learned not only how to care for these animals but also the dedication and grit required to break and train my show stock. Unfortunately, our 4-H chapter dispersed due to unforeseen circumstances, which created some difficulty in my showing career and put it on hold until I could join an FFA chapter. By the end of my seventh-grade year, as I was filling out my enrollment for the upcoming year, the top class on my list was Exploration in Agriculture. Both my grandfather and mother were members of the Vian FFA Chapter, making me a third-generation member. This class allowed my love and passion for the agriculture industry to truly blossom. Not only did I develop a deep interest in showing swine during this class and throughout my time as an FFA member, but I also discovered a passion for public speaking.
“I have continued to nurture my passion for agriculture in different ways during my time at OSU. I joined the swine club to give back to the younger generation of FFA and 4-H members by volunteering and assisting at swine shows. Additionally, an internship with Legacy Livestock sparked my interest in livestock photography, inspiring me to pursue it independently as another way to stay connected to the show ring.
“I chose a major in agricultural communications because I want to advocate for the agricultural community through words, design, photos and more. There is a gap between non-agriculturists and the agricultural world that needs bridging. We need more people to build that bridge, fostering a general understanding of agricultural practices and the deep connections they create.”
