Braden Burns has put together a storied FFA career that’s included numerous honors inside and out of the show ring.

He’s also attended numerous FFA leadership camps, but remembers how the keynote speaker at a particular one struck a chord with him.

“He told us the five T’s’ of success: People, Principles, Perspective, Passion and Process,” said Burns, a senior at Kingfisher High School.

“At the end of the day, there is a lot of things you can’t control in this world, but I feel like if I can take care of those five things in my life, then God will take care of the rest.”

Now Burns can add another “P” to the list:

Premier Exhibitor.

Burns ended his long livestock showing career on a high note when he was awarded the Robert Funk Achievement Award in March at the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

The award signifies Burns as the event’s top exhibitor and honors the legacy of OYE Chairman Robert “Bob” A. Funk.

It is given annually to the livestock exhibitor who achieves success in the show ring, academics and community involvement throughout their junior livestock show career.

“Braden’s success as a premier exhibitor at the 2021 OYE is a phenomenal accomplishment,” said Tyler Gradert, Kingfisher FFA co-adviser.

“His hard work and commitment make him an outstanding leader and mentor for younger members within the Kingfisher FFA Chapter.”

Only one senior student receives this award each year.

“Ultimately we know that it doesn’t always work out the way we have planned and I am so extremely grateful to be put into a position to be awarded this honor,” Burns said.

Burns has been previously named the champion sheep showman at OYE and has had numerous successes showing sheep at the local, state and regional level.

He was a part of Kingfisher FFA’s national championship conduct of chapter meetings team and national runner-up parliamentary procedure team.

The son of Ryan and Lori Burns, he’s earned the national silver emblem for the FFA creed and has been on two state champion meat judging and parli pro teams.

Burns is a multi-year winner in the Oklahoma Camera Club Youth Photo Contest and also submitted the runner-up photo in a Photographic Society of America contest.

He’s been named a KHS Student of the Month all four years.

Burns also was the high individual in the AFR Ag Achievement Contest, the second-place individual in the Skillathon contest and one of eight students declared as Academic All-State at OYE.

The Academic AllState Program honors the top OYE scholarship applicants.

It’s is designed to model athletic all-state programs in which a select few are recognized for their outstanding achievement and dedication to success.

Each of the Academic All-State members have been awarded a $5,000 educational scholarship.