There isn’t much Weatherford High School junior Landri Jones can’t do.
She’s a varsity cheerleader on the Weatherford sideline and vice president of the school’s FFA chapter, for which she shows cattle. She’s also a STUCO member, a community philanthropist, a pageant veteran, a talented musician and a fifth-generation rancher.
“Growing up on a ranch and living the agricultural life I think has truly shaped me into the person I am today. From a very young age, you learn the importance of where your food comes from and how you get the clothes on your back. It instilled in me the importance of responsibility and dedication,” Jones said. “You quickly learn what the definition of ‘hard work’ is.” It’s a big task, but one she was called to.
“I try to take everything I’ve learned and apply it to all aspects of life. Success doesn’t just get handed to you. You have to work for the things you want,” Jones said. Your mindset can determine everything you do in life beyond high school, and with the right one, you can go far.
With agriculture, sports and even pageants, the backbone behind all of it is how hard you’re willing to work and how far you’re willing to take it to succeed.”
Another lesson Jones has learned is selfishness. “When you’re building a beef cattle operation from the ground up, you’re no longer taking care of yourself, you’re taking care of something much bigger than you, something that relies on you,” Jones said.
When she first started participating in pageants, Jones had to pick a community service initiative. She picked Showstoppers, an organization that teaches children and young adults with special needs how to show livestock.
“My passion for volunteering quickly grew as I spent countless hours with some of the most loving children in the world. I think it’s important to volunteer with organizations like these because you can make a difference in someone else’s life,” Jones said.
Since then, Jones has continued her work with Showstoppers and also volunteers with Special Olympics.
“These kids and young adults have something to look forward to, and they have someone by their side to look up to,” Jones said. “People with special needs sometimes don’t always get the same opportunities as most people do, and partnering with these organizations has not only brought joy into my life, but into theirs and many others.”
Jones has won titles of Miss SWOSU’s Teen and Miss Muskogee’s Teen. “One thing that people don’t understand is it takes a lot more effort than having a pretty face,” Jones said. “You have to be passionate about a cause and be an advocate for it. You have to be talented and willing to perform for anyone who asks. You have to be well-spoken and willing to speak in front of a crowd. You need to be intelligent and ready to answer countless questions in any interview.
“Most importantly, you have to be relatable and willing to make genuine connections with everyone around you.”
Jones plans to get a degree in business and marketing after high school and eventually own a real estate business. But thanks to her experience singing and playing piano — and currently mastering the guitar — she has dreams of becoming a country music sensation and writing music “for the whole world.”