For Chris Klaassen, competition has never been just part of the game. It is a mindset.
The longtime Hydro-Eakly Public Schools agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor was recently recognized by Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma as the ‘Ag Teacher of the Game’ during the Oklahoma State University versus Oregon football game. For someone who has spent a lifetime competing and teaching others to do the same, the recognition was fitting. (And the Oklahoma State win was definitely a bonus for this OSU Alum!)
A 1991 graduate of Hydro-Eakly and a 1995 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Animal Science, Klaassen's competitive spirit was evident long before he stepped into the classroom. As a Hydro-Eakly FFA member, he excelled in livestock judging and exhibiting cattle. He later judged livestock at both Eastern Oklahoma State College and Oklahoma State University, sharpening skills that would eventually help shape generations of students.
Following college graduation, Klaassen taught at Redlands Community College, where he also served as an assistant livestock judging coach for three years. When an agricultural education position became available back home in Hydro, he saw an opportunity to return to the community that helped shape him.
At the time, Klaassen was not yet certified to teach agricultural education. He completed the necessary testing and became Oklahoma's first alternatively certified agricultural education instructor.
"While that is common in today's world, it wasn't at that time. I had to hit the ground running to prove myself among my peers. Things worked out okay,” Klaassen said with a smile. “I've been here for 29 years."
Over nearly three decades, those years have produced an impressive list of accomplishments.
"We have great kids," Klaassen said. "They are competitive."
That competitive spirit has translated into remarkable success in the show ring. Hydro-Eakly students have exhibited grand champions in multiple species at Oklahoma's premier shows. One student even exhibited the Grand Champion Market Steer at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. Numerous students have qualified for premium auctions at major Oklahoma livestock shows, as well as national competitions.
Just recently, Hydro-Eakly's livestock judging team won back-to-back Oklahoma state championships in 2024 and 2025. The same group also claimed a championship in Phoenix and finished among the top three teams at the prestigious National Western Stock Show judging contest in Denver.
Yet Klaassen is quick to point out that the strength of the program extends far beyond livestock.
Much of Hydro-Eakly's success comes from encouraging students to participate in a broad range of activities. Over the years, students have excelled in Quiz Bowl, FFA Creed Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Opening Ceremonies, Public Speaking and numerous leadership development events.
"I'm a competitor. My expectations for our kids are 100% excellence," Klaassen said. "I understand we will stand second, but we will never prepare for second."
That philosophy has helped produce some of Oklahoma FFA's most distinguished students. During Klaassen's tenure, seven students have earned the prestigious Oklahoma State Star Farmer award.
Today, Hydro-Eakly is also home to the current Star Farmer of America, Klaassen's son, Ryder, a senior at Oklahoma State University. Ryder's diversified supervised agricultural experience includes stocker cattle, a cow-calf operation, wheat production and mung bean production. The mung beans are cleaned and bagged in Hennessey before being transported to a California port and ultimately exported to South Korea.
Agricultural success runs in the family. Klaassen's daughter, Ragean, was an American Star finalist and enjoyed success in the show ring exhibiting steers. Today, she works as a loan officer in Stillwater.
"She's using all the skills she learned through FFA in a successful career," he said.
For Klaassen, however, ribbons, banners and championships are not the most rewarding part of the job.
"The most rewarding thing comes years and decades down the road when you get to see those kids become productive humans with successful careers," he said before mentioning several names of former students, one of which was Dandi Gilchrist.
“As a member of the first all-female Hydro-Eakly FFA officer team, I learned from Mr. Klaassen that leadership comes from preparation, hard work, and confidence. He listened to us, believed in our abilities, and provided us with the opportunity to succeed. His high expectations challenged us to be our best, and the lessons he taught continue to influence me today,” said Dandi Gilchrist, former student and Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma Employee.
Klaassen’s own path was shaped by influential mentors. Hydro-Eakly agricultural education instructor Stu Dildine sparked his passion for livestock evaluation, while collegiate judging coaches Ray Rice and Mark Johnson helped develop both his knowledge and teaching philosophy.
"I've always been a cattle person at heart, and I love judging livestock," Klaassen said. "I enjoy teaching kids about livestock evaluation, how to mentally prepare for a contest, and how to formulate their thoughts into reasons and present them confidently."
Nothing reinforces that passion more than seeing former students continue in the industry. At a livestock judging contest last fall, Klaassen found himself surrounded by former students who were competing at the collegiate level.
"There were five former students there judging for colleges" he said. "Those things are what make me tick! I love seeing my students be successful."
The impact of his program was evident once again with Hydro-Eakly's Class of 2026.
"Last year there were 14 senior FFA members, and nine of them were state champions at something, whether it was shooting sports, public speaking or a proficiency area," Klaassen reflected. "That was a hard set of students to see go, but I can't wait to see what their future holds."
While Klaassen is often recognized for his leadership, he is quick to credit the community that supports the program.
"We have a board of education and administration that I'm incredibly proud of," he said. "They've been very understanding of tax dollars and adamant about being frugal and taking care of things. This group feels strongly that a town is only as successful as its school. They've made it a priority to have good facilities and have high expectations for our students and staff."
In many ways, those expectations have become the foundation of Hydro-Eakly's success.
“Agricultural educators are among the most influential leaders in rural communities. They inspire students to pursue excellence, develop leadership skills and build successful futures in agriculture and beyond. Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma is proud to recognize teachers like Chris Klaassen through the Ag Teacher of the Game award and celebrate the schools, families and communities that help these programs thrive," said Greg Livingston, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma CEO.
For 29 years, Klaassen has built a program where competition is embraced, excellence is expected and students are challenged to become the very best version of themselves. The championships are impressive, but the lives shaped along the way may be his greatest victory of all.