Whataburger's Whatakid: Jake Kahla

Congratulations to the Whatakid of the month, your THSRA 2019 President, Jake Kahla! Driven, goal-oriented and hard working could be a few words you would use to describe this Jasper, Texas native. Jake just finished up his senior year of high school, and he has a bright future awaiting him to say the least.

He has been a member of THSRA all four years of his high school career, and has accomplished quite a lot throughout his involvement in the organization including three national qualifications. He qualified for nationals his freshmen and sophomore years in the rifle shooting competition, and he qualified for nationals in the steer wrestling his junior year. He is also finishing up his year serving as THSRA’s 2019 Student President.

“There are so many parts of this organization I love that it’s hard to pick a favorite,” Jake said. “I really love the competition THSRA provides, and I really love the friends I’ve made throughout my time. And, having the opportunity to serve as THSRA president this past year has really opened up a lot doors for me. I’m just really grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given through THSRA."

Jake might not have a favorite when it comes to the opportunities THSRA has provided, but he definitely has a favorite event, and he made a point to mention he is “a bull dogger who team ropes and not a team roper who bull dogs.”

He explained how he is really looking forward to 2020 state and summer rodeoing altogether. While he recently had to switch up his main steer wrestling horse, his dad has consistently been his right hand man. “It means a lot to me to have my dad haze for me,” Jake said. “He is one of the best hazers I know, and to have him haze for me at the level he does is definitely an advantage I have.”

While inside of the arena, Jake’s dad has played an important role in the success he has seen in steer wrestling, outside of the arena, he has played a large role in shaping Jake into the man he is today. “My dad really inspires me a lot,” Jake said. “He’s a good role model; he’s hard working and successful. He’s a good father, and I just really look up to him.” Jake explained how his dad, his uncle and his grandfather have instilled in him the value of hard work, and the importance of working for what you want altogether.

When speaking with Jake, it’s apparent work ethic is not something he is lacking. When Jake isn’t in a rodeo arena, you can probably find him on his family’s ranch or shoeing horses. He has been running his own farrier business since he received his farrier certification in 2017. “I just really love what I do, honestly,” Jake said. “I love rodeoing, and I love shoeing horses, and I just try to be the best person I can be.”

Jake said he is honored to be selected as the Whatakid of the month for Region V, and he is so grateful and appreciative of Mrs. Susan Baldwin, along with the rest of the leadership at Region V.

In the fall, Jake is looking forward to attending Sam Houston State University to continue his rodeo career, and pursue a degree in business as his first stop along the way in following in his dad’s footsteps. Jake’s dad has his own law firm, and Jake said he has put a lot of thought into going to law school after business school.

“I think I would really like to go to school to be an attorney,” Jake explained. However, like every good business man, he has a back up plan.

“If I decide down the road that I don’t want to be a lawyer, I can do whatever I want with my business degree,” he said. “I know I want to be self-employed, and I think operating my own business the past couple of years has really helped me with business development.”

Whatever path Jake decides to take, it’s apparent in his accomplishments, that he is driven, and if he sets his mind to something; he’s going to accomplish it. We want to wish him the best of luck at state and in all of his future endeavors!