Akers receives prestigious scholarship
IOLA - Wyatt Akers received the James Michael Johnson Memorial scholarship worth $500.
Akers graduated from Iola High School in 2022 with a 3.15 GPA. He attends West Texas A&M University majoring in Ag Business. He anticipates graduating in 2026.
A fifth generation Grimes County rancher, Akers said “Agriculture has been a tremendous part of my life ever since I was born. From driving tractors on my own when I was five to now being almost 18 spending most of my time working with my horses and cattle. Agriculture defines me as a person. I cannot remember a time when I did not ride with my dad to check and feed our cows, I have since graduated into doing it by myself.”
Throughout school Akers has been an avid fair participant and has held numerous agriculture-based jobs including building fences, welding, fabricating and working at Navasota Livestock Auction.
Fair participation includes Grimes County Fair Swine - Iola FFA 2013-2022; Grimes County Fair Ag Mechanics- Iola FFA 2021-2022; Grimes County Pen of 3 Heifers- Iola FFA 2015-2022; San Antonio Livestock Show Commercial Steer Program 2019-2022; Houston Livestock Show Commercial Steer Program 2019-2022.
Akers has received many awards and honors including being a National Honor Society member from 2020-2022; Stephen F. Austin Invitational FFA Forages CDE 2019, team member; Sam Houston State University FFA Area Forages CDE 2019, team member; Sam Houston State University FFA State Forages CDE 2019, team member; Cypress Creek FFA Forages CDE-3rd High Individual 2020; Area 9 Invitational FFA Forages CDE 2022, team captain; Sam Houston State University FFA State Forages CDE 2022, team captain.
He has held multiple leadership positions: Area XI FFA Vice President - lead workshops for FFA members, 2021-2022; Iola FFA Chapter Vice President, 2021-2022; Iola FFA Chapter Reporter 2020-2021; Iola FFA Chapter Secretary 2019-2020; Iola 4-H Vice President 2019-2020; Iola 4-H President 2018-2019
Akers has spent countless hours giving back to the community by volunteering at Iola Food Pantry, various FFA and National Honor Society events, at church with Vacation Bible School and camp fundraising and various other activities.
An advocate for FFA, Akers said, “FFA has prepared me for my future education and career by giving me the opportunity to enhance my welding skills, as well as the planning and preparation beforehand. My ag teachers have ensured that my knowledge in animal husbandry and the agriculture industry has drastically increased. My passion is the ag industry, and I will continue to advocate for it as long as I breathe.”