Rogers High School senior named Austin Market's Ag Student of the Week

Although she grew up within the agriculture industry, Hallie Stojanik’s first stock show did not go according to plan. Young Stojanik had broken her arm prior to the show, meaning that she would be unable to exhibit the market swine project she had spent the last few months dedicating her time and effort to. Luckily, fellow members of the agricultural community stepped up to show her pig in her place. Nearly ten years later, Stojanik credits this selfless act for her own dedication to helping youth in agriculture, a passion she plans to use to be successful in her future career.

Stojanik has been a member of 4-H since the third grade. She began pursuing leadership roles while in middle school, and has since served as the vice president and president of Rocky Hill 4-H. She has also served as the council delegate for Westphalia 4-H, an opportunity that has allowed her to share her club’s ideas with other organizations. At the county level, Stojanik currently serves as the treasurer and district delegate for the Falls County 4-H Council, and competes on the livestock judging team.

Through FFA, she competes in radio broadcasting, livestock judging, and public relations, where she and her team have qualified for the area competition for the last two years. She has also served as the secretary and the reporter for the Rogers FFA chapter, and has continued to exhibit market swine projects at stock shows across the state of Texas.

Although she has experienced many successes of her own during her ten-year involvement in the 4-H and FFA organizations, Stojanik’s favorite memory comes from a time she helped another member succeed. It began with a young showman asking her for help taming a market swine project, a task that Stojanik was more than happy to help tackle.

“It was only her second year to show, and her breeder wasn’t very much help,” said Stojanik.

Stojanik realized that her experience could do far more for the exhibitor than simply tame the pig. She began offering advice when it came to developing a feeding program, as well as working one-on-one with the girl to develop her showmanship skills. After working hard to help the young exhibitor prepare for the county livestock show, Stojanik soon saw her efforts pay off.

“It was a big reward to me seeing her win her class, knowing that I did my job and she had done hers,” said Stojanik. “But the biggest thing for me, was seeing her get called back for showmanship.”

Stojanik plans to continue giving back to others by pursuing a double major in agricultural leadership and development, as well as animal science from Texas A&M University. She hopes to use her education to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, through becoming a county extension agent.

“I want to continue to be a mentor to those who are wanting to pursue showing animals, and teach them all there is to learn about the livestock industry,” said Stojanik.

Congratulations on your outstanding accomplishments Hallie, the Capital Farm Credit team wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavors.