JEFF FIELDER Editor
BAYARD – Ryan Liakos, a senior at Bayard High School, is this week’s Nspire Today! Male Student of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank. He participates in basketball, track & field, FFA, and National Honor Society. He’s been on the Honor Roll every semester in high school. He’s also involved in his youth group at Faith United Church of Christ, and he’s been in 4-H for about 10 years. After he graduates from high school, he plans to attend the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, for two years and then return to Bayard to farm. His parents are George and Anne Liakos.
Q: How would you describe the way your senior year has gone up to this point?
LIAKOS: “It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed all of it. It’s just too bad that it kind of got cut short [because of the COVID-19 outbreak]. But I guess that’s life.”
Q: During high school, which subject have you enjoyed the most?
LIAKOS: “My favorite classes were my ag classes and shop classes because that’s what I want to do after high school.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you think has made the biggest influence on you?
LIAKOS: “I would say Mr. [Justin] Rafferty since he taught me so much about ag and mechanics and all that stuff.”
Q: What’s been the key for you to achieve success in the classroom?
LIAKOS: “Just getting everything done on time, and if you treat the teachers the way you want to be treated, then they’ll treat you the same way and will take care of you.”
Q: Out of all the activities you’re involved in, which one have you enjoyed the most?
LIAKOS: “Probably FFA or basketball. I’ve played basketball since I was in first or second grade, so I’ve always enjoyed that sport. As far as FFA, I’ve grown up on a farm, and I’ve been in agriculture, so that’s why I like [FFA].”
Q: Why do you want to attend the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis?
LIAKOS: “A couple of my friends from high school that are in the same grade as me are going to go there, too. Also, there’s a couple other people I know who graduated from there who said it’s a good school, so that got me interested in it, too.”
Q: What degree will you pursue?
LIAKOS: “I’m looking to get an associate’s degree in either ag business or diversified ag. I haven’t decided between the two yet.”
Q: What do you see yourself doing for a career after college?
LIAKOS: “After college, I would like to come back to the area and farm or do something agriculturally-related.”
Q: Talk about how much you have enjoyed growing up on a farm.
LIAKOS: “I love it. I think being out of the city is so much better because you can basically do anything.”
Q: In addition to going to school and participating in a lot of activities, do you spend a lot of time working on the farm?
LIAKOS: “Yes. I’m actually in a tractor right now. I have online classes in the morning, and then in the afternoon I work.”
Q: What do you do on the farm?
LIAKOS: “We have cows and sheep, and we grow most all of the crops.”
Q: Outside of school and working on the farm, what do you like to do for fun?
LIAKOS: “I like to hang out with my friends, and I also show a lot of sheep. We go around the country to show sheep, so that’s been fun. I’ve been to Kentucky and Kansas City, and we’ll go to Denver. I’ve been to quite a few places.”
Q: Do you show just sheep?
LIAKOS: “I have shown pigs and steers before, but I mostly show sheep.”
Q: Why mostly sheep?
LIAKOS: “That’s just what I started with when I first started showing. That’s basically what I’ve grown up with. As I got older, I started showing pigs and steer, but that’s not what I enjoy showing the most.”
Q: How challenging is it to show sheep?
LIAKOS: “It can be challenging because when you go to the bigger shows, there’s a ton of people there, so it’s pretty tough competition.”
Q: How have you fared in 4-H over the years?
LIAKOS: “I’ve done pretty well. In 2015, I was the reserve champion at the Nebraska State Fair, and I’ve made the sale at the Denver Stock Show once. So, it’s gone pretty well.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the state of farming right now?
LIAKOS: “It’s all right, I guess. I mean, the low prices right now are really making an impact on people. These last few years have probably been more challenging years because of the trade disagreements and also because the prices have been low.”
Q: How concerned does that make you feel since you want to be involved in agriculture as a career?
LIAKOS: “Yes, it kind of concerns me because I want to come back and farm. But if it’s not going to be any good, then I don’t know what it will be like. So, I hope it gets better and that I’ll be able to make a career out of it. But if not, then I’m not sure what I’ll do.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the COVID-19 outbreak? How are you handling what’s been going on?
LIAKOS: “It’s kind of messed up the funnest part of our senior year. It’s disappointing because we went to our last day of school without knowing it was our last day of school, so we really didn’t get to say our official goodbye to everyone. It’s also frustrating that I haven’t been able to see my friends.”
Q: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
LIAKOS: “I really like country music.”
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
LIAKOS: “Probably Gold Rush or Gunsmoke.”
Q: What are your three favorite apps on your cell phone?
LIAKOS: “Snapchat, Instagram, and maybe Facebook.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
LIAKOS: “Chimney Rock is pretty cool.”
Q: For people who haven’t visited Chimney Rock, why would you recommend they visit Chimney Rock?
LIAKOS: “It’s just really cool, and it’s on the state quarter. I don’t think some people [in the state] realize exactly where it’s at, but it’s right next to Bayard. That’s where I’ve grown up, so it’s cool to see that landmark here.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Bayard High School?
LIAKOS: “Probably my friend, Braden Johnson. He moved here in about eighth grade, and ever since then he’s been a really good friend to me and my other buddies. He’s a really good kid.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
LIAKOS: “The Corner Cafe in Bayard. It’s a small restaurant, but they have some of the best food you’ll find around here.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to another business in Bayard, which one would it be and why?
LIAKOS: “Probably Tiger Paws because it’s the only convenience store/gas station we have in Bayard. Everyone there is really nice.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
LIAKOS: “I have a brother [Riley, 18] and a sister [Mackenzie, 15]. Riley is my twin brother.”
Q: What is it like to have a twin brother?
LIAKOS: “It’s something, that’s for sure. He’s the same age as me, so I can’t really say I’m older than him.”
Q: Do you two get along pretty well?
LIAKOS: “Yes, we do.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Students of the Week, sponsored by First State Bank, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, students of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
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