At the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Convention and Trade Show, Farm Director, KC Sheperd caught up with the immediate past Oklahoma CattleWomen president, Cheyenne Sparks, and talked about this year’s OCW leadership, awards luncheon, and the 2024 CattleCon.
As Sparks was the OCW president for the past two years, she said she is excited to now serve as the immediate past president of OCW.
“You have got Connie Tabor coming in as president, I can’t wait to see what she does, we have got Amarie Bartel, president-elect, and of course, we have got some new girls on the officer team,” Sparks said. “We have got Holly Baker coming in as a VP, as well as Debbie Mullins, coming in as VP.”
At the OCW awards luncheon this past Saturday, Sparks said several deserving individuals were presented with awards.
“Our Honorary CattleWomen of the Year, that goes to somebody that goes above and beyond for CattleWomen, even though they are not a member, and Chancey Hanson got that this year because she has been loving on us for years and years,” Sparks. “With all of her efforts with the OCA, she deserved this award, and I am so overjoyed that she could be there and accept it. I am very thankful for everything she has done for us.”
The CattleWoman of the Year award, Sparks said, was presented to Peggy Castleberry.
“We love her,” Sparks said. “She was our VP of education, and that woman put in the effort. She led the charge of education for OCW. She made sure that we had our ag books week that we did, she coordinated with Ag in the Classroom, and she was there for everything.”
Sparks also talked about the scholarships OCW presents each year.
“We give out thousands and thousands of dollars every single year,” Sparks said.
This year’s J.B. and Betty Smith Scholarship was awarded to Morley Griffith. The Nancy Buckminster Scholarship was awarded to Riley Luginbill. The Oklahoma CattleWomen Scholarship was awarded to Bailee Schiefelbein.
As Sparks steps away from her president’s role with OCW, she said she is excited to begin a new chapter as a CattleCon influencer for the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention on January 31 through February 2 in Orlando, Florida.
As a CattleCon influencer, Sparks said she has the chance to talk about all things relating to the convention, including behind-the-scenes info and more.
“I am here to be everybody’s lifeline,” Sparks said. “Registration opens August 15th on the NCBA website, and if you use my name, Cheyenne. You put that discount code in, and you are going to get 50 dollars off of your registration.”
Sparks said her code can be used from August 15th until the start of the CattleCon event online and on-site at the convention.
“You can also check out the ANCW website, because we have some fun things coming up while we are there,” Sparks said. “I am still the PR chairman with them for a little while, and in January, I am excited to be installed as their Region IV director.”
To find Cheyenne Sparks on Twitter, click here.
