OYEA President Fred Harris said the support of the community has been a major contributor to the program's success. "We thank everyone in the whole community who has really gotten behind us," Harris said. "We wanted this program to be available to all students at no cost. We are nonprofit and provide all the funds for the feed, the animals, the infrastructure, etc., and the generosity of our donors has made that possible. For example, the support of those like Farmers Bank & Trust, Hines Trucking, Express RX, Farm Credit, Bank of Delight, McDonalds, Ross Foundation, Dr. Young, and Tysons helped us buy a trailer last year, and the school purchased a truck, both so we could haul the animals. We're doing more than raising animals; we are trying to build character and responsibility, too, and we have some great students in the program."

Prescott School Superintendent Robert Poole was also in attendance and shared praise for the students, the community, and OYEA founders. "Thanks to our community for getting behind this program for our kids; they work extremely hard," Poole said. "This is a lifelong educational opportunity for them, to appreciate the work it takes to care for animals. Mr. Harris deserves a lot of credit for starting this program and getting the donations,  he and also the founders who started it, and we appreciate him getting the program where it is today."

The most accurate testimony to the program's success comes from the OYEA students themselves. Some of them were at the event, and a few shared with SWARK.Today their love for the program. Kelshaun Murphy, in the 7th grade and his first year with OYEA, said, "Without this program, I wouldn't have learned as much as I have. My favorite part is learning about the different kinds of animal breeds." Tinzlie Sada, also 7th grade but in her second year with OYEA, said her favorite part is "raising the animals." 

For more information about OYEA, visit the OYEA website HERE. 

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