REYAP is not-for-profit, member-based minority youth organization. Formed in 1994, the organization introduces culturally diverse youth – 7th-to-12th grade – to opportunities in the agriculture industry while focusing on scholarship, leadership, citizenship and economic development.

“The REYAP experience prepares student-members for college and work by providing them with life and job skill training as they are exposed to careers in agricultural business, science, engineering and related fields,” said Rita Combs, REYAP executive director.

Shaw and Moore are now freshmen and Garrett is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University in agriculture-based majors. Shaw was placed in the Oklahoma City USDA/NRCS office for her internship, completing her third year in the intern program. She is majoring in Agricultural Business and Finance. Moore worked in the Bristow USDA/NRCS office as a second year intern and is majoring in Agricultural Communications and Broadcast Journalism. Garrett is majoring in Food Science. Carter is a freshman at Odessa College in Texas, majoring in Agricultural Business.

“Participating employers in REYAP’s Summer Intern Program provide mentoring and on-the-job training that helps youth develop basic skills needed for college and employment in agribusiness and related fields,” Combs said.

In addition, scholarship opportunities are provided to students recognized for academic excellence and leadership who will attend college or CareerTech full-time and major in agriculture or a related field of study.

“Student members gain greater awareness of careers in the multi-billion dollar Oklahoma agricultural industry than do minority youth without these opportunities,” Combs said. “Members also learn life skills such as leadership and citizenship. Our records demonstrate that 100 percent of our REYAP Summer Intern Program graduates have attended college with most majoring in agriculture.”

Other REYAP programs include the annual Leadership Seminar, Career and Workforce Development and Agricultural Science and Technology Institute at Oklahoma State University.

For more information, contact Rita Combs at 918-933-5450 or rita.combs@reyap.org

“The purpose of this seminar is to expand the awareness of participants beyond the basic concepts of leadership,” said Rita Combs, REYAP executive director.

Participants gain understanding of their own leadership ability, the intrapersonal and interpersonal affects of communication in leadership and how their leadership style affects those around them. Speakers who are current leaders in their field, actively involved the students in timely topics such as The Five Forms of Power; Who Moved My Cheese; and The Four Paradigms about Communication, Conflict Management Versus Resolution and Communication.

“The students learned techniques on becoming a more effective leader and that without effective leadership, no organization will become successful,” Combs said.

Through boardroom-like discussions, in-depth analysis and research-based activities, the participants not only examine the concepts of effective leadership they also explore the practices of what it takes to be an effective leader.

Additionally, the students examined the role of citizenship as a trait of effective leaders.

“When the students were presented with an option of participating in a community service project, they all jumped at the opportunity,” Combs said. “They worked at the Food Bank and assisted in distributing food for needy families throughout the state of Oklahoma.”

Other REYAP programs include the Career and Workforce Development Workshop, REYAP Summer Intern Program and Agricultural Science and Technology Institute at Oklahoma State University.

For more information contact Rita Combs at 918-933-5450 or rita.combs@reyap.org

Latisha Lollis,senior at Central High School, Tulsa

PHOTO: Latisha Lollis, senior at Central High School in Tulsa joined 26 students from across Oklahoma assist with the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma during the REYAP Leadership Seminar.