“From Rhode Island to Hawaii and many more place in between”
Today’s BHE AGGIES come from many locations. Obviously, we are very proud of the students who come to campus from the district, the state, and the surrounding states. This article simply features some of the students who have driven (or flown) a little further to get here. Going from east to west we would like to share some of their stories!
Throughout the history of Black Hawk College East Campus, students have traveled a great distance to be a part of the agriculture program and competitive judging teams. Although it is safe to say we’ve had students from coast to coast, this year we have our first ever student from the “Ocean State.” Victoria Oatley, freshman in Ag Transfer at BHE, calls Exeter, Rhode Island home. Oatley grew up raising livestock and operates a small Belted Galloway and club calf cow herd. Throughout her youth, she was active in showing and judging livestock and was highly involved in 4-H and FFA. Oatley said she first learned about Black Hawk East when she met faculty member and livestock judging coach Dan Hoge while he was judging a cattle show. “After talking with Mr. Hoge, I researched the college on my own and continued to hear great things about the Ag programs from fellow livestock people across the country,” said Victoria. During her senior year of high school, Oatley considered several schools to begin her college education. “I made my final decision after calling Mr. Hoge and talking to him about Black Hawk East and the livestock judging team. I called several schools across the country and Mr. Hoge was the first one to respond. After our conversation, I knew Black Hawk East was the place for me,” said Victoria. After completing the Ag Transfer program at BHE, Oatley looks to continue her education at a four-year institution.
Matt Morrison is a freshman in the Ag Transfer Program from Conewago, New York. In 2007 Matt met Mr. Denzer when Lee was judging the Eastern Regional NJSA Swine Show held at the Keystone International Livestock Show in Harrisburg, PA. He then worked with Lee, Mr. Hoge, and Mr. Brian Arnold at the NJSA Summer Spectacular in Louisville, KY in the summers of 2008 and 2009. Matt and his father visited the campus in the spring of 2010 and chose to attend Black Hawk because of his recognition of the strong Livestock Judging and Animal Science related activities in Kewanee, Illinois. Matt has become very comfortable here in the Midwest, is a member of the Freshman Livestock Judging Team, a member of the Agri-Business Club, and is nicknamed by his friends as simply “New York”. We are really glad to have him here.
This year students enrolled at Black Hawk East from across the country are? looking to start the next chapter of their lives and work towards their educational and competition goals. One of those students was our first ever “Okie,” Jacee May of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Jacee May comes from a family with deep roots in the cattle industry. Her mom and dad were both active in showing cattle as youth and Jacee followed in their footsteps by exhibiting cattle competitively across the country at all levels. Today, Jacee and her father run a cowherd in Stillwater focusing on Angus genetics. Jacee’s passion for agriculture was put to use through a variety of competitions with her high school FFA Chapter where she served as President. She was also heavily involved in a variety of leadership activities including FCLA and Student Government. May first heard of Black Hawk East while attending cattle shows and meeting with BHE alumni. “When I began looking at colleges, I had a chance to meet several BHE alumni that shared their experiences about the Ag program and the livestock judging team. I always heard positive comments about the school and decided I wanted to be a part of the rich judging tradition,” said May.
Priest River, Idaho is the hometown of Tristan Troudt. Tristan grew up on a ranch and began raising Paint horses to be used for trail riding in the mountains and other purposes similar to outfitting. Recently she has gotten into the mule business and her Paint mares are now producing mule foals. Tristan says, “Northern Idaho is one of the most beautiful places on earth, at least to me. There are endless miles of mountain trails that lead to pristine lakes, cross clean rivers, and look out across beautiful horizons. We are very secluded and many towns are extremely small. The main industry there is timber rather than farming.” Tristan was recruited to play women’s basketball by coach David Wallace. She enjoys being around horses and taking Eequine classes while playing basketball. Tristan is in the Pre-vet Program, plans on transferring to Washington State or Colorado State for Vet school, and specializing in genetics, reproduction, or surgery.
At age 6 Tillie Brotherton from Central Point, Oregon started showing horses and by age 10 she was showing on the AQHA circuit. Some of her awards include 3 saddles, an AQHA Youth Championship, an AQHA Youth Supreme Championship, and many 4-H and FFA accomplishments. In 2008 she competed at the national FFA Horse Judging contest and was high individual in Performance. After the contest Tillie was inquiring about colleges with good horse judging programs when her Ag teacher told her about Black Hawk. When she visited Black Hawk, she instantly fell in love with the campus and all it had to offer her as an Agriculture Transfer student. She is currently participating on the Horse Judging Team and the Horse Show Team with plans of transferring on and earning a degree in Ag Education from either Oregon State or West Texas.
Bekah Irish came to BHE from Acampo, California where she was employed on a cutting horse ranch. She found out about Black Hawk from the two college equine students from Hawaii who were interning at that facility, as well as, from Sharon Camarillo. Bekah started in the Equine Program in January 2010 and will graduate this spring (2011) after only three semesters. It would be safe to say that she has made the most of those three semesters. This fall she competed on the sophomore Horse Judging Team. Her many judging accomplishments include being the high individual overall at the American Quarter Horse Congress and reserve high individual overall at the Quarter Horse World contest. To add to this, she has received academic honors and because of her competitiveness on the Horse Show Team is qualified for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) regionals in Open Horsemanship and Reining and is leading the AQHA high point Open Division. Her plans include transferring to a four year college and majoring in Agriculture Economics. Bekah said, “BHE has given me the confidence to explore various career paths.” We are sure that her future will be bright. We wish her well!
Vicki and Erika Tomiyama call Hilo, Hawaii their home but they have not been there much in the last three years. Prior to coming to school, their horse involvement had revolved around rodeo and performance horses which led them to a barrel racing clinic in Hawaii in the fall of 2007. After visiting with the clinicians, Donna Irvin and Sharon Camarillo, they decided to expand their horizons at Black Hawk. The first two years were spent in the Equine Program where they were not only great students but also excellent Ag Center employees. Then they stayed an additional year to complete more general educational classes. Both young ladies have competed successfully on the very competitive Horse Show Team. Future plans include a four year degree here in the states. Vicki and Erika both agree that “the best part of BHE is the learning atmosphere and the great instructors and fellow students.” Others will say that the best part of BHE is getting to know the girls from Hawaii!
