FFA has something for everyone

By Marley FowlerI have been in FFA for two years now. Along the way I have made a lot of good memories and met a lot of good people.For the past two years, I was fortunate enough to go to national convention as well as state convention my first year.At state convention, I was a delegate, which was a very interesting experience.Also in my two years, I have been on the trapshooting team. My second year, our girls team made it to districts and me and my best friend got in the Top 5 out of all the other girls’ teams there.I highly encourage students to join agricultural class/FFA because there is just about a little bit of everything for everyone in FFA. From leadership events to judging livestock, it’s a really neat and interesting program to be in.

What FFA means to students

By Karlie Patterson, 10th gradeMost people’s misconception is that if you are in FFA you are automatically a farmer and all you do is farm related things, and little do most people know is FFA is more than just “farming.”Is there farming in FFA? Of course there is, but agriculture is definitely not the only thing FFA consists of! FFA is full of “out of your comfort zone” experiences!FFA challenges you to get your hands dirty and it teaches you that not everything in life is just handed to you, and that’s a lesson you will have trouble learning in a regular classroom setting.FFA has given me a chance to make great friends and develop amazing memories! Last October some of the students from the Warrenton FFA chapter had an amazing experience of getting to load up on a bus at 5 a.m. and drive 51/2 hours, give or take a few, all the way to the great city of Indianapolis where FFA National Convention is held!It was definitely a trip to remember for the few who got to experience it! We got to see different schools from all over the nation and ask them what their interpretation of FFA was. We saw people and advisers from Hawaii, New York, and from all the way in Alaska!I guess that just can go to show what amazing opportunities and life skills FFA can provide!

My FFA jacket, my armor

By Hannah HoelscherFFA members across the U.S. put on a piece of armor when it is time to compete.We slide our arms into the sleeves when the state officers come to visit and we tuck in our talley-whackers for special occasions.This piece of armor that keeps us hot in the summer and cold in the winter would be none other than the FFA jacket.From my point of view, the jacket is a symbol of my hard work and the knowledge that I have gained while wearing that jacket. I have attended many national and state sessions with my hands resting in those trusty pockets.I have received awards and given many treasurer reports while wearing that jacket.This blue corduroy jacket is the symbol of the National FFA Organization and to many students including me, it is our way to show off all the long hours spent studying, practicing, competing, and even the long bus rides just to get to our next learning experience.This jacket is not just a piece of fabric on my back, it is a symbol for everything we are working for and everything we have accomplished. This is MY FFA jacket.

FFA offers many opportunities

By Maggie Shipper, 10th gradeMy name is Maggie Schipper and this is my second year in the Warrenton FFA chapter.Two years may not seem like a long time, but I have gained a lifetime of knowledge and experience through FFA and my agriculture science class.Every student has already learned about soil horizons, acidity and alkalinity levels, and every Agricultural Science 2 student also had the opportunity to teach the rest of their classmates in class for at least 15 minutes this year!We have had many chances to travel with our FFA group and meet other FFA members from across the country. We have the chance to go to FFA camp, the National FFA Convention in Indiana, and some FFA students have even gone to Washington, D.C., over the summer for the Washington Leadership Conference.FFA has definitely helped me to become a more social and active person in society. The people in the local FFA chapter have become close friends and even family throughout high school. I plan on being a part of the chapter as long as I can.

Warrenton FFA chapter members gather for a photo.

Submitted photo