FFA shapes future leaders

FFA has had a huge impact on many youth in the community.

Wade Thompson is a senior at Ridgewood High School and vice president of the FFA chapter. He joined the program as a freshman because his sister was part of the FFA officer team.

“She always made sure I was there and included,” Thompson said. “When I first heard about FFA I thought that it was just about farming, but there is so much more to it. I have been able to grow so much as a leader and learn a lot about different forms of leadership. Mrs. Davis and Mr. Pyers always are there to help and back you up with any idea you have, and they will always be there for guidance and advice.”

When Thompson first joined FFA, he did not like speaking in front of large groups.

“Now it is so easy and secondhand to me,” he said. “FFA also helped me discover my love for animals. I have learned so much more about animals since I have been in FFA, and through FFA I got the courage to start a pig farm with my mother. FFA has truly impacted my life for the better, and I am so proud to say that I am a member of the Ridgewood FFA officer team.”

Tennesse Ellis, another senior at Ridgewood, is president of the FFA chapter.

“I’ve been in FFA for quite some time now and have been interested in it since probably middle school,” Ellis said. “I love FFA because it has helped shape me into a more confident and responsible person. Through FFA I’ve learned how to be a leader and step up even when things feel challenging. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me meet so many new people and make new friends. I’ve also learned a lot about agriculture, and it helped me discover what I want to do in life and what I’m passionate about.”

She also has discovered FFA is about much more than farming.

“It teaches responsibility, teamwork, public speaking and hard work,” Ellis said. “I used to be shy before I joined FFA, but after becoming an officer and having to speak in front of a bunch of people, it truly has helped me become more of an extrovert and overall just helped me talk to people and put myself out there. It has given me opportunities I never thought I’d have and memories I’ll always be thankful for.”

Ridgewood junior Alaena Huff likes FFA because it feels like a family.

“Everyone supports and encourages each other,” she said. “It’s given me so many opportunities to learn new things, both in and out of the classroom, that I can apply to real life. I’ve also met so many new people through FFA who have become friends and role models. Overall, FFA has helped me grow as a person while making memories I’ll always appreciate.”

Her brother Jaxon Huff said FFA has helped him learn a lot in a fun and hands-on way.

“I get real-life experiences that help me understand how things actually work, not just from a book,” he said. “I can use what I learn in FFA in my everyday life, and it helps me feel more confident trying new things. As a freshman, FFA has already helped me grow and learn in ways I didn’t expect.”

River View eighth-grader Salouria Waldren said, “I like FFA because it helps me learn more about agriculture and become a better farmer for the future.”

River View ninth-grader Adalynn Endsley said FFA has provided her with many experiences and opportunities.

“This year I have tried several new CDEs including soils, aquarium management, job interview, food science and public speaking,” she said. “There is always something new to learn and ways to grow as a person. FFA provides something for everyone, ways to challenge yourself and allows you to meet so many great people. It is truly unlike any other organization.”

Shiloh Kinzel, a sophomore at River View, said FFA has always been a part of her life.

“My sisters, mom and grandpa were all a part of River View FFA,” she said. “My favorite part of FFA is always meeting new people from different schools and even different states. I always enjoy going to the state convention and watching the state FFA officers. FFA has shaped me into the person I am today.”

River View junior Mairin Mullett enjoys FFA because of the career-development events.

“I have learned how to write a resume, complete a cover letter, interview for a job, write a follow-up letter and complete a job application during my participation in the Job Interview CDE,” she said. “All of these things I learned will help me handle the process of employment in the future. I also thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Floriculture CDE, where I got to apply skills that I learned in the greenhouse growing up, as well as participate in a competition that I really enjoyed doing.”