Finding your comfort zone in high school can be difficult, but for Shattuck High School’s Abbey Elam, she knew in middle school how she wanted to spend her high school years. 

“I first began involved in FFA in the eighth grade,” said Elam. “All of us had to take Ag but my teachers, Mr. Kelln and Mrs. Abbey, really encouraged me to get more involved and do more things. I soon began doing public speaking contests and other things and I just fell in love with everything that the FFA had to offer.” 

Now a sophomore, Elam said she enjoys attending speech and CDE contests and getting to meet new people from across Oklahoma. 

“I am the Chaplin of our chapter, I compete in Ag Comm CDE contests, I was on our Opening and Closing Ceremonies team, and I give prepared speeches at any contest that I can,” Elam said. “I didn’t grow up in a very agriculturally involved family but through my Ag program at my school I have become involved in so many other parts of the FFA.” 

Elam serves as the sophomore class president and plays both fast and slow pitch softball and is a member of the varsity basketball team. 

“I am on the academic team, I am a part of our drama department, and I lead the youth group at our local church that a lot of the students at Shattuck schools attend,” Elam said. “My favorite part about being on the basketball team is all of the memories that I get to make with my best friends. Whether it is on or off the court, I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by better people. They encourage me, pick me up, and take me down a few notches when it’s needed. I can always count on them to stand by me no matter what, because that what being a part of a team means. Basketball gives us challenges that prepare us for the real world by learning how to work together and build each other up. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my amazing teammates.” 

Elam plans to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University once she graduates from Shattuck High School.