FFA week Letters from students

Written by Bella Wooldridge, Junior

One of the most important things to become a leader is how you serve others in your community. Our advisors push us to do good for others and help when asked to. Our officers and advisors plan community events before school even starts to help our members be more connected. The activities they plan are leaf ranking; Mid Missouri Appreciation Dinner; Adopt A-highway; Land O-Lakes fair, tractor pull, and rodeo; Christmas basket shopping, and card writing around the holidays to places around our community. Community service only benefits the FFA member through experience. Experience is one of the most important things you need to be able to get a job and to continue helping your community as you become an adult. The reason the FFA organization instills community service in all of its members is because it provides a way to apply the leadership and educational skills that are taught in the classroom. The opportunities in high school and college that you take shape the person you will become as an American and future leader. Many people grow up not knowing the values of serving their community and when they get out into the world they don’t know how to connect with others in their community. To serve yourself is to serve the community around you because when you help those around you they come to help you when you need it most of all. FFA is the foundation that we stand on to educate us so when it gives us opportunities to express ourselves take the leap and learn from the experience. Even when you are soaking wet from the rain while serving food.

Written by Jenna Runkle, Junior

The lead-up to National Convention was exciting, we had to fill out an application about how active we are in our FFA chapter. After we got the news we were accepted to go, we spent weeks getting our schedule and preparing for all the fun we will get to experience. National Convention overall was a fun trip, we got to spend time with other ag students and learn all about agriculture from all over the country. I enjoyed learning about how agriculture differs in different states. I had fun seeing all the different sights I could see and enjoyed seeing thousands of Ag students come together to enjoy our National FFA. In the end, I would definitely recommend going if you get the chance because it is a one in a lifetime opportunity for all Ag students, and I will definitely going next year if the chance arises.

Written by Don Gann, Junior

Our F.F.A. chapter offers many different activities throughout the span of a year. If I had to choose a favorite out of all of them it would have to be the time we get to spend working in the shop. Our chapter has poured a multitude of resources and effort into improving the overall appearance and quality of our shop, having the shop running in tip-top shape makes for many great learning opportunities to open. Mr. Hargrove is the “head” of our shop, seeing as he is the advisor for all of the construction classes. A good portion of the beginning of our year was spent getting everything lined out so that we may operate in an extremely efficient manner, however, Jamesy boy has put in a massive amount of his own time and effort in order to have everything to the highest of standards and quality. Many see our shop just as an area where one could get away from normal day-to-day classwork, but in my belief, it is an area for improvement in skills everyone should possess in adulthood such as how to change a tire for example. These things not only carry the shop to the top of my list but give the program as a whole a lot more value to me as a person who is just on the verge of adulthood.

Written by Maria Jones, Senior

Being in FFA for four years gives you lots of personal growth opportunities. Personally I am not the same kid I was Freshman year. I am more outgoing and willing to talk in front of a group of people than I was back in 2021. I’ve also made friends, met people from around the state of Missouri, and gone on several fun trips that I wouldn’t have gone on without being in FFA. I have traveled to Indianapolis, IN, Memphis, TN, and Hot Springs, AR, just to name a few. I have been able to watch my classmates turn into young responsible leaders for those younger than us, when we all used to be those immature fourteen year olds that no one liked. You never realize how much leadership you gain when in FFA until you look back at who you once were. I wish freshman me knew that I was going to be ok, it’s not as stressful as you think. Just go out and have fun cause it goes by fast, and also, don’t curl your hair on a counter.