The Tale of a CareerTech Champion – A Boy and his ‘Greatest American Dog’

From a farm in Perry, Okla., to the life of an actor in Los Angeles, Travis Brorsen and his sidekick, a brindle boxer named Presley, are creating quite a stir across the country.  They are the first winners of a new reality television show, “The Greatest American Dog.” 

A former Oklahoma FFA state reporter, Brorsen, graduated from Oklahoma State University with a major in Agricultural Communications and a minor degree in Theatre. He attributes much of his “luck” on the show to the preparation that began while in junior high school and the CareerTech student organization, FFA.

That is why Brorsen is being recognized as a CareerTech champion, according to Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director.

“CareerTech Champions are alumni of the system's programs or student organizations who attribute much of their success to their CareerTech experience,” Berkenbile said.

 “I’ve been told that I was in the right place at the right time to be on the show,” Brorsen said. “But, I’ve been working hard for years preparing to be in the right place at the right time – paying bills and keeping a positive attitude.”

Although he can be seen in several television commercials, after six years of working hard to break in as an actor in California, Brorsen admits this star in his crown was completely unexpected.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think a dog would make me a regular on a 10-week TV show.”

The life experience of leadership conferences, FFA alumni camps and travel across the state visiting FFA chapters as a state officer team member helped ready him to meet and work with show contestants who came to the show with highly trained dogs.

Through relationships built with other contestants, Brorsen and Presley both excelled. The contestants actually helped Brorsen train his young dog who, at only 15 months, didn’t even know how to come when his name was called.

Brorsen also credits FFA’s public speaking opportunities and the constructive criticism given by judges, teachers and peers at competitive events throughout his FFA and Agricultural Education high school career that prepared him for success.

Upon moving to L.A. Brorsen began putting the things from his FFA speeches into practice.

“I set goals – short-and long-term – and looked at the big picture instead of living on a day-to-day basis. People skills and communication skills set the tone for what I do today,” Brorsen said.
“The show’s judges gave me the hardest time of anyone,” Brorsen said. “But, I needed their criticism to be better the next time, and not just put my tail between my legs and walk away. In acting, if you can’t take rejection this isn’t your line of work. For every 20-50 auditions you might get good feedback on one or two with most just telling what went wrong rather than what went right.”

Brorsen’s grandfather, a past Oklahoma FFA president, called him after the show’s initial interview process, commenting on his restatement of each question before answering, just as FFA teaches.

“I was taught that gives you time to think, so I was at an advantage from other contestants who would ramble on for a couple of minutes before framing an answer,” Brorsen said. “In FFA, we learn to take all the time in the world to be sure of what you want to say so that it comes out clearly. And, if you mess it up – but are being yourself – that is okay.”

Brorsen believes that by taking one day at a time, the small goals make big goals happen.

“I love acting and have a passion for it. But if tomorrow my acting career was over, that would be okay if I could do something else – with passion – in the entertainment business. I’ve learned that even if your path doesn’t take you where you think you want to go, you’ll still end up somewhere you want to be.”

When first in L.A., Brorsen wondered about all the people carrying dogs in their purses. Living on a farm all his life, he’d never owned a dog that actually had a name. Brorsen and Presley weren’t yet “best pals.” After 10 weeks of spending 24 hours a day, seven days a week together, that relationship could go either way – from asking his sister, who owned Presley’s mother, to take him back – to being best buddies.

“Luckily, we’re best buddies now,” Brorsen said. “Now, as the show’s winning team, we visit schools and hospitals and make public appearances all across the country. Never having a dog as a pet before, I had no idea the impact one can make on a child or someone who is ill.”

Brorsen admits he’s following FFA’s encouragement to its members to keep doing what you love.

“FFA encourages people to chase their dreams to become whatever you want to become,” Brorsen said. “I am a firm believer in not letting anything stand in your way.”

-30-

Photo of Travis Brorsen and Presley can be found at:
http://www.okcareertech.org/pio/Champions/Images/TravisPresley_highres.jpg

Posted December 18, 2008

CareerTech Home Page | CareerTech Site Map | CareerTech Search | Legal Information