Student Missouri State Teachers Association. She lives
in Hermann and also works during the summer at
Windy Hill Cut Flower Farm.
McKenzie
Reagan
Thomas Slayden
attitudes and lifestyle of Americans, Spaniards live a
more laid back lifestyle and focus on being present each
and every day.
“This was a real eye-opener for me, and it helped
me look at my own life and make the effort to change
my attitude and priorities,” McKenzie says. “My time in
Spain helped me learn a great deal about the Spanish
language and culture, which has helped me within my
teaching career, but it also helped me find a passion for
traveling and experiencing other cultures.”
McKenzie is currently a high school Spanish
instructor at DeKalb High School where she also
coaches girls’ softball and basketball. Additionally, she’s
enrolled in a graduate program through Park University
to receive her master’s in educational leadership. Active
in her family’s farm, McKenzie helps with their cattle
operation and during harvest. She also has her own share
of tobacco production.
Karen Rohlfing
Karen graduated from Missouri Baptist University
in the St. Louis area in 2014 with a bachelor’s in
elementary education. Currently, she is a fifth grade
teacher in the Owensville School District and helps on
her family’s farm.
While in college, Karen was a member of the
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HEARTBEAT | WINTER 2015
Having graduated from Northwest Missouri State
University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural
business, Thomas now farms with his father in King
City where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat and
cattle. In addition, he helps operate the family’s soil
conservation business constructing terraces and ponds.
While in college, Thomas was active in the
NWMSU’s Baptist Student Union where he took
mission trips to Joplin as well as Stillwater, Oklahoma.
In Joplin, Thomas assisted with storm clean up
following the city’s devastating tornado.
Thomas and wife Janika were married in June 2014
and are expecting their first child in March 2016.
Austin Steele
Austin attended College of the Ozarks before
transferring to MU where he earned a degree in 2014
in agricultural education.
While at MU, Austin was involved with
Agricultural Education Society and CAFNR Steering
Committee. He also worked on campus at the MU
Meat Lab gaining valuable experience in learning cuts
of meat and how the industry operates. He was on the
Dean’s list for seven semesters while at Mizzou.
Since high school, Austin had several opportunities
to travel abroad. A 2010 trip sent him to Taiwan as
part of Roy Blunt’s International Agriculture Tour for
Missouri State FFA officers. While there, the group
spent a week exploring Taiwan’s agriculture industry
and meeting agricultural dignitaries.
During winter break 2012-2013, Austin also
participated in a study abroad program in New Zealand
through MU.
“It was a life-changing trip,” Austin says, “and
I loved every minute of the coastal, tropical and
mountainous country. We traveled both islands
experiencing different types of agriculture than what
we are used to in the United States.