By Cara Pattison
Contributing Writer
If there’s one thing that 15-year-old Haley Mayo loves, it is showing pigs.
But, it is not just her knowledge of her hobby that this family-oriented agriculture education and Future Farmers of America student is known and respected for. Mayo is also known for being a hard worker and having a good head on her shoulders.
“Haley is a hard-working girl,” said Cody Dean, Okarche High School agriculture instructor.
“She loves showing pigs and talks about it a lot. I love hearing her talk about showing pigs. Haley and her sisters have been doing it for a long time and know their stuff. Not to mention, Haley is a good classroom student and is really bright. I look to see her participating in FFA speeches and some livestock judging this year.”
Describing herself as a “big family person,” Mayo said she loves doing things with people she loves – including friends that are considered family. One of those people – her older sister, in fact – introduced her to the passion for pigs.
“My big sister was about seven when we watched our first pig show in Okarche at the fair. Sis tried it and liked it, and my dad liked it. Ever since, we’ve been breeding, selling, and raising pigs. I started showing pigs when I was 10, and I turned 15 on Saturday. I just can’t get enough of it!”
When she’s not in the showring or the classroom, Mayo finds time to play softball for Okarche High school.
“Basically, all I do when I’m not at school is show pigs and play softball,” she said. “The hardest thing about showing animals is trying to find time to hang out with friends. I have pig shows every weekend and it keeps me busy.”
This week at the Kingfisher County Livestock Show, Mayo will show two Duroc pigs from the same litter named Sandy and Mandy. As if that wasn’t enough, Mayo is ready to use her boundless energy and strong work ethics on a few new activities.
“I’d like to be the basketball manager this year, too. That would be fun!” she reflected.
“Also, I’m interested in being more active in my FFA chapter this year. I want to be a better speaker – I’m a good speaker but I want to be better at speech and the Greenhand Quiz.”
Mayo believes that the thing that keeps her the busiest is also her biggest stress reliever and gives her the renewed energy to tackle new projects.
“I love showing pigs because it’s a way of expressing how I am and how I feel. If I’m stressed, I go to the barn and walk my pigs. It’s just something I enjoy and it makes me happy.”
Her proud parents are Crystal and Clayton Mayo. After she’s done with high school, she is thinking about continuing her education in both Youth Ministry and “something having to do with animals.”
