Nowata’s Paige Atkisson – FFA Spotlight Presented by Oklahoma AgCredit

By Chad Waters

The town of Nowata sits 25 minutes east of Bartlesville and 21 miles south of the Kansas state line. This community of 3,500 is where the Atkisson family raises cattle, and where Paige Atkisson discovered a passion for showing animals.

“When I was nine, a couple of friends were showing animals, and I thought it looked like fun,” Atkisson said.

Nine years ago, Atkisson started showing goats, then pigs, and now, she shows cattle as the president of her local Nowata FFA chapter.

Atkisson, now a senior at Nowata High School, is not only involved in FFA but is a cheerleader and plays on the Lady Ironmen golf team. She also serves on the student council and is a part of the national honors society.

“I enjoy the responsibility and knowing that I’m a part of a lot of things,” Atkisson said. “I enjoy staying busy.”

Growing up on a farm and showing animals is where Atkisson decided what she wants to pursue in college and her career.

“I’m going to major in biology and then move on to chiropractor school so I can become an animal chiropractor,” Atkisson said. “All these animals we show can be really high maintenance, and if they slip or something, then I would work on them.”

Atkisson is proud of her family heritage and is thankful for the powerful influence of her parents Mark and Michelle, and her grandparents Paul and Mary.