Oklahoma student credits FFA experience for auctioneering success

Logan Snider of Enid, Oklahoma, has been named the 2026 International Junior Auctioneer Champion by the National Auction Association, earning one of the organization’s top honors for young auctioneers in North America.

Snider said her interest in auctioneering began three years ago in an eighth-grade agricultural education class through FFA after agriculture teacher Wayne Simpson introduced students to the newly created Auctioneering Career Development Event.

Simpson helped Snider develop her first auction chant, and she competed in the inaugural Oklahoma FFA Auctioneering Career Development Event. She won the Oklahoma FFA State Auctioneering Career Development Event in 2024, qualifying for the International Junior Auctioneer Championship in Pittsburgh.

“I thought I was prepared,” Snider said. “But I quickly realized the level of skill it takes to compete nationally. That experience motivated me to work even harder.”

Snider repeated as Oklahoma FFA State Auctioneering Career Development Event champion in 2025 and returned to the international competition in Schaumburg, Illinois. Although she did not win, she said the experience strengthened her resolve to improve.

She returned to the championship in San Antonio in 2026.

“This year, I came back confident, prepared, and grateful for the opportunity,” Snider said. “I stayed calm, trusted my preparation, and enjoyed every moment. People in the auction industry often say you’ll know when it’s your year, and this year, I truly felt that.”

Snider said her preparation included extensive practice, breathing exercises, interview preparation and rehearsing every aspect of her performance.

She also said her faith helped her throughout the competition.

“The most challenging part was trusting that whatever happened was part of God’s plan,” Snider said. “It’s easy to focus on what we want or what we think we deserve, but I’ve learned that God’s plans are always greater than my own.”

When her name was announced as champion, Snider said she felt “a mix of excitement, shock, gratitude, and pure joy.”

As the 2026 International Junior Auctioneer Champion, Snider said she hopes to encourage and mentor young auctioneers.

“Becoming the 2026 International Junior Auctioneer Champion means more than winning a title,” she said. “It gives me the opportunity to give back to an industry that has given so much to me.”

Throughout that journey, Snider says she has been blessed by an incredible support system.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Ryan and Rachel Snider; her brothers, Bronc and Paycus Snider; her grandparents, Monte and Diane Snider and Creed and Ann Lillich; and to the many mentors who have poured into her along the way.

She specifically recognized Wayne Simpson, Katherine Bauman, Justin Kennedy, Jaci Pitts, Aaron Pitts, Morgan Hopson, Abbey Schmid, Matthew Sandmann, Dennis Huggins, Barrett Bray, Arlyn Imel, Zach Vierheller, Brady Lippard, Greg Highsmith, Jesse Highsmith, Sarah Rose Bytnar, Tanner Roberts, Trey Morris, Halie Behr, Joni Nash, Ryan Reed, Shawn Hagler, Monica Higdon, Suzannah Underwood, Cali Crissup Fitzpatrick, and countless others who invested their time, encouragement, and knowledge.

“I’m certain I’ve left many names off this list,” Snider said. “Every person who has taken the time to teach me, encourage me, or believe in me has helped shape the auctioneer and person I am today.”

She also expressed appreciation to Oklahoma FFA, the Oklahoma State Auctioneers Association, the Auctioneer Association Management Team, the National Auction Association and its NextGen program, Oklahoma Auction School, Champion Ringman College, the Arkansas Auctioneers Association, and the many auction companies that welcomed her and gave her opportunities to learn.

“They’ve become my auction family,” Snider said. “One of the greatest things about this profession is how willing people are to invest in young auctioneers and help them succeed.”

Snider is a student at Chisholm High School, where she serves as treasurer of the Chisholm FFA chapter. She also competes in public speaking, veterinary science, animal science quiz bowl and auctioneering through FFA. Outside the organization, she participates in National Honor Society, Student Council, basketball, HOBY Leadership, Young Leadership Greater Enid and World Harvest Church.

She credited FFA with helping develop her leadership and commitment to continual improvement.

“FFA has taught me determination and the value of continual growth,” Snider said. “Leadership is about serving others, always being willing to learn, and taking advantage of every opportunity to grow.”

Snider also has earned several honors through the Oklahoma State Auctioneers Association, including the 2025 Intermediate Auctioneer Championship, the 2026 Rookie Auctioneer Championship and the 2026 Ringman Championship.

She plans to attend Oklahoma State University after graduating from Chisholm High School, where she hopes to study agricultural communications or agricultural business while continuing a career in the auction profession.

Looking ahead, Snider said she hopes to compete in the National Auction Association’s Women’s International Auctioneer Championship and spend her year as junior champion mentoring young auctioneers, encouraging students to participate in the FFA Auctioneering Career Development Event and gaining additional experience with auction companies.

“I encourage anyone interested in auctioneering to get involved with their local FFA chapter and ask their agriculture teacher about the Auctioneering CDE,” Snider said. “Those opportunities changed my life, and they can open doors for countless other students as well.”

Logan will be joining Justin Kennedy of the Oklahoma Auction School at the Crops and Cattle Conference, August 4-6, 2026, for the Youth Auctioneering Camp & Contest. 

PHOTO: The person carrying the auction holds a wooden hammer in his hand to make a bid to sell the product. (Adobe Stock-#309197587 │ Pongsak)