In May, siblings Cora and Cord Bender walked across the stage at the OK State FFA Convention in Tulsa to accept their State FFA Degrees.
As seniors, the brief moment was bittersweet. They were representing the Dale High School FFA Chapter and wearing their FFA jackets for the last time.
But it was an accomplishment four years in the making.
“We kind of started our freshman year, like in a sense, because we had to … meet all these requirements, like receive our Greenhand Degree, which is our freshman year,” said Cora. “And so, throughout our high school career, we’ve done that, and it was a long process, especially your senior year. You had to make this whole … portfolio.”
“Include pictures, descriptions, write an essay about our FFA experience and different things like that,” said Cord. “So it wasn’t an easy process. It … was challenging.”
They also had to invest $2,000 in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and earn the same amount.
For the son and daughter of Jake and Whitney Bender who live on a sheep farm, their SAE has always been raising and showing Dorper hair sheep.
Dorpers are one of about 20 breeds of hair sheep which were crossed between the Dorset Horn and Blackheaded Persian breeds in South Africa during the 1930’s, according to afs.okstate.edu/ breeds/sheep/dorper/ index.html. Bred for their mutton, they have both hair and wool, and they shed, eliminating the need for shearing.
Cord said hair sheep are popular in Texas and becoming more popular in Oklahoma.
Cora said they still had to shear their sheep for livestock shows, during their junior and senior years.
They showed at various events across the state, such as the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE), Pottawatomie County Junior Livestock Show, Pottawatomie County Free Fair, Central Area Livestock Show, and several jackpots.
During the COVID pandemic, Cora said there were fewer shows, and some switched to virtual. Then, they were required to take video or pictures of their sheep.
Regardless, the brother and sister duo could always rely on each other for help.
“We both … had to work throughout the school year,” said Cora. “So like …’Oh, one of us is gonna be home, so we’re gonna feed each other’s sheep for each other.’ Just kind of like do … that and help each other out.”
Cord added that they would help each other with shearing, as well, which took a long time with two or three sheep each.
“It takes usually all night to sheer, like we start after school, which is about three, and then we don’t get home until … nine o’clock,” said Cora. “So just being … able to help each other out.”
“It makes the process go,” said Cord.
The Benders said they would buy their sheep at the beginning of the school year and sell them at the end. In the meantime, they learned a lot about responsibility and lessons caring for their livestock.
“I would say … hard work pays off because … you worked all year until like, you know, the county fair or OYE,” said Cora. “And then, if you … make the sales and the shows like, hey, there’s all this hard work that you put in this whole year paid off, and … I’ve learned so much responsibility that comes with it. Like, ‘Oh, if I miss … a feeding, and I’d have to … get punished because … sheep are just … like raising a kid, kind of, in a sense, and you can’t … miss that for them.”
Cord said he enjoyed the friendships he made while showing sheep. “You create so many
“You create so many friendships not only through raising animals, but throughout my whole FFA experience,” he said.
There were several challenges, as well.
“It’s just raising animals as a whole,” said Cord. “I mean, just because of how challenging it can be sometimes, because … you never know when an animal can get sick.”
Cord joined 4-H in seventh grade and FFA in eighth grade, and Cora joined FFA in ninth grade. Since then, Cord has served the Dale FFA Chapter as Sentinel, Reporter and Vice President, and Cora has served as Reporter, Vice President and President.
In that time, FFA Advisor Jon Golliver has seen them grow in confidence and empathy.
“When the Benders entered our program as freshmen, they were both very reserved and quiet,” said Golliver. “Through leadership activities and public speaking they became much more confident.”
“By the time they were seniors, they were both excellent leaders and were even comfortable talking in front of large groups of people. Showing sheep only contributed to their confidence and success.”
“Cora and Cord worked together to take care of their sheep 365 days a year, morning and night,” he continued. “Their sheep were always in excellent health and condition. Through showing livestock they did become more responsible in all aspects of their lives.”
“I believe that being part of something bigger than yourself gives you a new outlook on life. They also become more caring and compassionate.”
The Benders both agreed that being in FFA has changed their lives, and they are grateful for Golliver’s guidance.
“It’s meant a lot because I don’t think ... I mean, if I wouldn’t have been involved in FFA, I wouldn’t have gotten to … experience like literally anything,” said Cora. “I wouldn’t have been involved in anything in high school. I would’ve … been just a normal high school student.”
“And my Ag teacher has probably … helped with that tremendously. So, he’s been … the one that encouraged me to show sheep, like encouraged me to give a speech and stuff like that. So, he’s been there for both of us.”
Golliver helped them during their time in high school to work towards their State FFA Degree.
“I helped them throughout their high school career by taking them to shows, contests, leadership activities and other FFA activities and events,” said Golliver. “The State FFA Degree is an award for the states’ top senior members.”
“To get the degree, you must have invested and earned money in a project, held leadership offices and participated in a large number of activities. Those activities include stock shows, public speaking, leadership conferences, community service, and career development events.”
“The State FFA Degree is a compilation of four years of hard work and dedication,” added Golliver. “I was very proud of what they had accomplished and how well they represented our FFA chapter and school.”
Looking to the future, Cord plans to attend Seminole State College and study Agriculture Science. Cora will go to Rose State College and work toward becoming a nurse practitioner to fulfill her lifelong dream of helping people and to help fill the need for healthcare workers.
