SHE LEADS BY EXAMPLE

By: Martha A. Hollida

IF YOU DO AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR THE WORD LEADER , YOU FIND WORDS AND PHRASES LIKE A LEADER IS SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES PASSION AND MOTIVATION IN OTHERS; A LEADER IS SOMEONE WITH VISION AND THE PATH TO REALIZING IT; BEING SUPPORTIVE AND HELPING TEAM MEMBERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. THEN THERE IS, “TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE” WHICH IS SHOWING OTHERS HOW TO PROCEED. TAKE YOUR PICK, BUT REGARDLESS, JUNIOR SIMBRAH EXHIBITOR, HALLIE HACKETT HAS PROVEN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER ON LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS .

The graduating senior is from Hooks, Texas, which is located in far northeast Texas. She is very active in her school and community. She is a Texas FFA Area VI Vice-President, your current Texas Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association President and Queen and an American Junior Simmental Association South Central (AJSA) Region Trustee. She also serves as a Texas Beef Ambassador through the Texas Cattlewomen.

Hallie has always shown Simbrahs and her desire to be a leader in SimGenetics evolved as her participation has increased. While her days are coming to an end in the junior show rings, her involvement in agriculture is just beginning. Hallie will be attending Texas A&M University to major in animal science and she has her sights set on a career as a veterinarian. Hallie recently was selected as a Welch Foundation Scholar, which has earned her a full ride scholarship to A&M.

She is quick to promote school ag programs as an amazing opportunity for young people. “There are so many chances for students to learn new things and experience things that will help them later in life. Contests, leader positions and ag classes allow students to be able to discover possible careers, meet new people and learn life skills,” she said.

She readily acknowledges that her animals have been instructors in her life, teaching her responsibility, time management, perseverance, while providing financial experiences and requiring hard work.

Like a good leader, she recognizes she has a strong support system starting with her parents, Aaron and Shelley Hackett. She is also grateful to Simbrah breeders, Dr. Mark and Martha McCrary, who have bred the heifers she has exhibited and encouraged her involvement in the breed since day one. She points out that youth in SimGenetics and Texas youth livestock exhibitors are very blessed to have many, many people who back these organizations financially and with their time as volunteers.

She also knows that she is in a role model position, as she serves in these three SimGenetic leadership position and embraces it. She said that she was largely influenced by others in these positions and they were influential in her decision to lead and serve.

Simbrah World caught up with Hallie and asked her a few questions.

What drew you to the cattle industry?

My father had been involved in the cattle industry long before I was born. When my brother and I were little, neither of us wanted to show, so my father dispersed all of the cows that he owned. Not long after that, I found a magazine in our kitchen with a girl showing on the cover. After about a year, I convinced my father to finally let me show, and the rest is history. Since then, I have become much more dedicated to cattle, the agricultural industry, and increased my involvement in related associations. Growing up in these associations has shown me that showing cattle is much more than being in the ring and that has encouraged me to be involved and to my part to strengthen each organization.

What drew you to the numerous leadership positions you hold?

The longer that I was involved in the junior associations, the more that I grew to appreciate the leadership within it. Many of my best memories revolve around those that were in the same positions that I have held. As I became older, I realized that I wanted to be able to give back to the associations that had helped me become the person that I am today. The positions themselves have been a wonderful opportunity for me to connect and encourage other juniors within our junior associations.

What is your time management secret?

I am a big planner! I keep a calendar with all of my upcoming events and schedule of shows, contests and other events. Having “A & B” days throughout high school has also helped in that I am not necessarily missing every class each day I am out, which has also helped to prepare me for college. My parents have always been “checklist” or “to do list” people so it came naturally. I also have been raised in a household that was no nonsense when it comes to getting your business handled. If I didn’t keep up with my classwork my parents made it clear I would not be attending events.

What would you tell other Simbrah youth why they should go to AJSA Classic?

I would tell other Simbrah youth that going to the National Classic is a wonderful experience. Being able to make connections with other juniors across the country is exciting and creates lasting friendships. The AJSA Classic is also a perfect opportunity for juniors to represent the Simbrah breed. Considering the Simbrah breed is small in numbers compared to the Simmental exhibitors, our juniors must show up to prove how strong the Simbrah breed is. This event provides a learning experience through contests and opportunities for leadership throughout the week. Most importantly, nationals is a fun way to grow your passion as an exhibitor, meet new people, strengthen bonds with old friends and learn new things.

What’s been the most enjoyable thing about this year and being in these three leadership positions?

Although I have been incredibly busy this year, I enjoy getting to go to so many places, do so many things and meet so many new people. These positions have allowed me to expand on my own leadership skills and become more confident in my own abilities, in and out of contests. Being able to attend so many events has kept me busy, but I wouldn’t want to be doing anything other than being involved with the cattle industry.

Tell us about your beef ambassador position and why that was important for you to be involved in?

The Texas Beef Ambassador position allows me to advocate for the beef cattle industry through social media posts and in-person advocating events. Being a beef ambassador has been an amazing way for me to share information about the industry that I love and help other people become more knowledgeable about beef. I try to advocate for the industry no matter what I am doing, so becoming a beef ambassador was something that I really wanted to do, not only to advocate, but to develop my ability to communicate.