April 2008, FFA New Horizons

FFA

®

NEW HORIZONS THE MAGAZI NE OF THE N ATIONAL FFA ORGA NIZATION | April 2 008

Reality Check FFA members showcase TV-worthy talents

You’re My Favorite Teacher Five ways to thank your FFA advisor

Uvsumf!Qpxfs Florida member protects endangered species

( Call to Order! Find chapter banquet tips at

ffanewhorizons.org

)

FFA

Volume 55 Number 4 ÂŽ

NEW HORIZONS

APRIL 2008

Contents

The magazine of the National FFA Organization

JULIE WOODARD Editorial Director KIM NEWSOM Editor JOYCE CARUTHERS Copy Editor JESSY YANCEY Editorial Assistant ANDREA BLOOM, CAROL COWAN, Contributing Writers CHRIS HAYHURST KEITH HARRIS Creative Director JEFF ADKINS, WES ALDRIDGE, Staff Photographers TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN McCORD NATASHA LORENS Production Director CHRISTINA CARDEN Assistant Production Director HAZEL RISNER Pre-Press Coordinator MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT Production Project Managers LAURA GALLAGHER, VIKKI WILLIAMS Senior Graphic Designers CANDICE HULSEY, AMY NELSON Graphic Designers MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, Ad Traffic PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY GARY SMITH Distribution Director SHAWN DANIEL Web Design Director ANDY HARTLEY Web Project Manager RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ Web Designers CORY MITCHELL Color Imaging Technician KRISTY MEYER, FFA Communications AMBER STRIEGEL RAY LANGEN Executive Vice President CARLA H. THURMAN Sr. V.P./Sales CASEY E. HESTER Sr. V.P./Operations MARK FORESTER V.P./Visual Content TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./Editorial Director JEFFREY S. OTTO Photography Director KIMBERLY JOHNSON Integrated Media Manager KATHLEEN ERVIN Marketing Director AMY AKIN Marketing Coordinator PATTI CORNELIUS Custom Sales Coordinator For advertising information, contact Kimberly Johnson, (800) 333-8842, ext. 277, or e-mail kjohnson@jnlcom.com.

National FFA Officers ZACH KINNE, MO BECKY SULLIVAN, KS TYLER TENBARGE, IN MORGAN PARKER, CO BRADY REVELS, FL KARI BOETTCHER, OR

6 cover story 10

President Secretary Eastern Region Vice President Central Region Vice President Southern Region Vice President Western Region Vice President

Turtle Power Florida member protects endangered sea species

Reality Check Spirited FFA members showcase their TV-worthy talents

National FFA Staff LARRY CASE National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer Executive Secretary Chief Operating Officer National Treasurer Division Directors

STEVE BROWN DOUG LOUDENSLAGER MARION FLETCHER MARK CAVELL, DALE CRABTREE, TOM KAPOSTASY, JANET MALONEY, DENNIS SARGENT, KENT SCHESCKE, VICKI SETTLE, LEE ANNE SHILLER, TONY SMALL, BILL STAGG, WILL WAIDELICH

National FFA Board of Directors – Members LARRY CASE Chair, USDE, VA STEVE BROWN Secretary, USDE, VA MARION FLETCHER Treasurer, State Supervisor, AR ROBERT B. CALVIN Agiculture Teacher/USDE, MO THOMAS DORMODY Teacher Educator/USDE, NM DENNIS FISCUS State Supervisor, AZ STEVE GASS State Supervisor, TN IKE KERSHAW State Supervisor, OH JASON LARISON Agriculture Teacher/USDE, KS JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN

3

What’s Online

4

Scrapbook

Visit ffanewhorizons.org for web exclusives.

Read news, jokes and more.

13

National Officer Q & A

14

FFA Faces

16

Your Money

18

How-To‌

Postmaster: Please send address changes to FFA New Horizons, P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960.

CopyrightŠ 2008 by the National FFA Organization and Journal Communications Inc.

20

Back Talk

Subscription Information: FFA New Horizons (ISSN 1069-806X) is published Feb., April, June, Aug., Oct. and Dec. by the National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, art or any other unsolicited materials. For subscription information contact: FFA New Horizons Subscription Services, (317) 802-4235 or e-mail newhorizons@ffa.org. Periodical postage rate is paid at Indianapolis, Ind., and additional mail offices.

The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Meet Secretary Becky Sullivan.

Win a Chevy T-shirt.

Learn tips to build your credit.

Thank your FFA advisor.

Climb to new heights with Dale Darling.

10

18

20

>ZSOaS `SQgQZS bVWa [OUOhW\S

On the Cover Alonda McCarty, New Smyrna FFA, Florida Photo By Antony Boshier

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

1

Find tips for planning your chapter banquet at

Check out our new design for the homepage. And, submit your best ideas for what you’d like to see on the website.

ffanewhorizons.org “I’VE BEEN READING [FFA NEW HORIZONS] SINCE THE FIRST COPY WAS SENT TO MY HOUSE IN MY NAME. I ENJOY THE REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE FACT THAT FFA MEMBERS REALLY DO GET INVOLVED IN IMPORTANT PROJECTS LIKE FFA WEEK.”

– Danae Hicks, Iva, S.C.

Go online to read more member letters.

Photo slideshows

Read the latest FFA news in the ¼ Editor’s Blog Kim Newsom

WEB POLL

to comment on articles and submit story ideas.

What is your favorite career development event?

• Parliamentary Procedure

Test your FFA smarts or play a game in our interactive

• Livestock Evaluation

¼ WebMag.

• Agricultural Mechanics

ffanewhorizons.org

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Need a past issue? Click on ¼ Virtual Magazine for current and archived editions.

• Creed Speaking

Vote online at ffanewhorizons.org.

Polls change every week, so visit often.

Read special inserts from other associations in ¼ State Scoop.

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

3

FFA scrapbook

Express yourself

Just Joking What do you get when you cross a rooster and a cow?

Cock-a-doodle-moo Taran Scott Bloomfield FFA, Mo.

Which side do you milk a cow on?

The “udder” side Liz LaPrise Exeter-West Greenwich FFA, R.I.

$10,000 For 12 Eggs?

“Coming to You Live!”

Georgia FFA member Audrey Davis uses the airwaves to promote her chapter’s awards and activities. As part of her internship at Live 101.9 in Bainbridge, Ga., Audrey hosts a weekly segment to talk about FFA. A recent graduate of Bainbridge High School, Audrey says her experiences with the radio station have increased her self-confidence and public speaking skills as well as raised awareness of FFA.

4

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

In 2007, West Virginia FFA member Kim Riley sold a carton of eggs for $10,000. Crazy as it seems, a price in the thousands is typical for the state’s annual FFA ham, bacon and egg show, held each spring.

Begun in the 1940s, the show offers FFA members a chance to generate money for college. And for the three top-prize winners, that can mean a big check. Besides Kim’s earnings, the top bacon in 2007 brought $6,400 and the winning cured ham sold for $2,300.

To learn more about the 2008 show, visit www.wvffa.org.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FYI YOUR TURN Keep us informed!

This is your chance to be a part of FFA New Horizons. Send us a short article about your latest chapter activities, awards you’ve received or even your involvement outside FFA. Be sure to include a high-quality color photo and your contact information.

Freshman members of the Le Grand FFA Chapter in California have set a new chapter record for member involvement. Of the 130 greenhand members, 76 attended the first chapter meeting, 45 submitted a leadership application and 21 purchased official FFA jackets. congratulations!

Point and Shoot: Agriculture in Action Shooting agricultural photography can be a big challenge.

Catching the right light, gauging the weather and convincing a 2,000-pound cow to cooperate can frustrate even the most seasoned photographer.

But an agriculture-inspired photo – when captured at the perfect moment – can be magical. This beauty served as the inspiration behind a recent photography contest sponsored by the University of Florida’s Agricultural Communicators and Leaders of Tomorrow. The competition offered cash prizes to the best shutterbugs among all Florida middle and high school FFA members.

In the end, a photo by Nall Moonilall of the Coral Reef FFA Chapter, was named the grand-prize winner.

“This photo depicts a frog relaxing in a bromeliad cup found in my back yard in Miami, Fla.,” Nall explains in his entry.

The second-place photo, captured by Drew Land of Suwannee Middle FFA, depicts a peanut harvest scene and can be viewed at ffanewhorizons.org.

Want an easy way to send your story? Submit a feedback form at ffanewhorizons.org.

Or, send to: FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268 newhorizons@ffa.org

ffanewhorizons.org Check out our tips for shooting prize-worthy photos.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

5

Cover Story

Turtle

Story by Chris Hayhurst

Power Florida FFA member Alonda McCarty protects

endangered sea Species

ANTONY BOSHIER

6

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

hances are, you’ve never

C

high school. She’d just moved to

seen a sea turtle up close and

coastal Florida from Kentucky, where

personal. You’ve probably

her family owned a cattle ranch.

be paddle her way out of the ocean

this tiny island,” she says. “It was

and up onto the beach, dig a nest

so different.”

never watched a giant mother-to-

in the ground, and lay her eggs.

FFA chapter, where she quickly

witnessed the baby hatchlings

discovered she had a lot to learn

emerge, miraculously, after days

about modern agriculture.

“To me, FFA was cows and

Well, here’s a bit of advice from

horses and things like that,” she

one person who has: You should.

says. “Actually, joining FFA opened

“It’s amazing,” says Alonda

up a whole new world for me – to

McCarty, a recent graduate of

see that there was so much more to

New Smyrna Beach High School

it, from endangered species to the

in Florida and a seasonal employee

fishing industry. We even had a

at nearby Canaveral National

clam nursery at school where we

Seashore, where endangered sea

raised baby clams.”

turtles are the main attraction.

Eager to get her feet wet, Alonda

“Whether you walk out there on

began volunteering at Canaveral,

the beach one night and just see it

which is operated by the National

once, or you go a thousand times,

Park Service. Before long she was

each time it’s different. Each time

asked to help out with the sea turtle

it’s special. The first time I saw a

program. She jumped at the chance.

sea turtle, I fell in love with it.”

Officially “endangered” animals like the sea turtle are deemed to be in significant danger of extinction and are therefore protected under federal law by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Once an animal is listed as an endangered species, it receives lots of attention from a range of people – everyone from the U.S. president to real estate developers to the Sierra Club and the National Park Service.

Numerous measures must be taken to preserve its habitat, to encourage successful reproduction and recovery, and to minimize potential threats from things like hunting, construction, and pollution. More than 1,000 animal species are now protected under the ESA. What can you do to help? Start by reading as much as you can about different endangered species. Next, consider volunteering, like Alonda, at a place devoted to helping the species survive. You could also find part-time work with a group like the Student Conservation Association.

But when it comes to sea turtles, Alonda says the biggest thing you can do right away is not use plastic bags, which often end up in the ocean where they’re mistaken for jellyfish, a primary source of turtle food.

“Recycle,” she says. “Or better yet, use a canvas bag instead.”

Alonda joined the local

And you’ve almost certainly never

of struggle, from beneath the sand.

Get Involved

“I went from this big farm to

“We’d take a group of 30 people out four nights a week and show

AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE The first time Alonda saw a sea

eggs,” she explains. “I learned more and more about it and eventually

ANTONY BOSHIER

turtle was her freshman year in

them where the turtles lay their

Besides taking advantage of the beautiful views at canaveral national seashore, alonda patrols the beach to keep a close watch on sea turtle nests during the nesting season – April through August. She also leads night tours to show visitors where the endangered turtles lay their eggs.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

7

Cover Story

got really involved. Sea turtles just became a really big part of my life.”

So big, in fact, that Alonda has returned to Canaveral year after year, spending the better part of each turtle season helping park rangers, leading educational programs and, occasionally, rescuing stranded turtles.

When it was time to start her supervised agricultural experience program, she decided to build it around the conservation of sea turtles and their habitat.

She even won a national FFA proficiency award for her work.

The thing about sea turtles, Alonda says, is that they’re in trouble. Development pressure, pollution, global warming and a number of other threats have led the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list all but one species of sea turtle as endangered. Her new summer position at the park is to direct an environmental education program for kids.

“The more you educate young people, the more they want to help,” Alonda says. “They come out and see the turtles for the first time, and they’re hooked.”

ffanewhorizons.org Click on In This Issue to test your knowledge about marine biology.

ANTONY BOSHIER

A FUTURE IN CONSERVATION Last summer, at the end of another long hatching season, Alonda finally saw the giant turtle of the sea – a leatherback. These turtles can top 2,000 pounds, and some live to be 80 years old.

“They’re extremely rare,” Alonda says. “It was incredible.”

Now a sophomore at Eastern Kentucky University, where she majors in environmental science, Alonda has managed to juggle two potentially competing interests: her devotion to both sea turtles and her family. The cattle ranch is still going, and her grandfather,

who runs it, welcomes her help.

“Sometimes it’s nice to get back to your roots for a while,” she says.

“That’s one of the main reasons I’m in school here – so I can be around and help out on the farm.”

Still, there are no doubts about Alonda’s future. She says she’ll definitely find work by or on the water when she’s finished with college.

“My dream job would be on a research boat traveling around the world, studying leatherbacks,” she says. “But I’d also love to work with the Park Service, to just be out there with the sea turtles or another endangered species, helping them stay alive.”

Alonda leads an environmental education course for children, teaching them about endangered species and what they can do to help.

8

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

10

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Story by Kim Newsom Photography by Brian McCord

Reality

Check Spirited FFA members showcase their tv-worthy talents

T

urn on a television most any

500,000+ strong membership, these

National FFA Convention, Coy Dale

night, and you’ll likely see a

individuals are taking the right steps

performed a trick-roping routine

reality show highlighting

to learning all they can about their

during the talent revue, an act

passion and how far it can take them.

well-liked by the crowd.

talented Americans. You might hear a songwriter croon his potential

Coy Dale Thomas, a spirited

Coy Dale’s story is similar to

Top 40 hit or a dancer leap her way

trick roper and FFA member from

that of two other super-talented FFA

across a nationally televised stage,

Stillwater, Okla., has a firm grasp

members, Cassidy Dean and Taylor

all in hopes of winning the ultimate

on exactly what – actually who –

Huffman of Deer Park FFA in Texas.

prize – stardom.

he’d like to be someday.

The pair have been members of their

It’s no secret that FFA members

“My hero is Will Rogers,” Coy

have talents, too. Take, for instance,

Dale says. “Will Rogers once said,

former FFA member Matthew Fox,

‘I never met a man I didn’t like.’ I’d

who is an actor on the popular TV

like to think I’m the same way.”

show “Lost.” Toby Keith, another

Coy Dale now resides in

well-known former FFA member, writes and sings country music.

And don’t forget sports legend Bo Jackson, whose athletic talents earned him national acclaim.

Get ready to meet four current FFA members whose names you will want to remember. Just a sampling of the talented FFA members among our Texas FFA members Taylor Huffman and Cassidy Dean combine their love for FFA with their drumming talents.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

high school band for four years and active in the FFA chapter, too.

“We wanted to find a way to combine our two talents so that we could compete in state talent,”

Oklahoma, but for the past three

Cassidy says. “So we decided to

years, he and his family lived in

forgo traditional drums and

Branson, Mo., where he entertained

create our own sound.”

visitors to Branson Landing, a popular tourist attraction.

During his unique and well-

The result is garbage cans, cowbells and feed buckets – materials that Taylor says pay

received performances there, Coy

homage to the popularity of FFA

Dale showed off his best rope tricks,

livestock projects in Texas.

taught kids how to rope and recited

“We added FFA stickers to the

original cowboy poetry, based on

buckets and kept the feed labels

his own life experiences.

for an authentic feel,” Taylor says.

His individuality ultimately became his inspiration. At the 2007

Competing first at the district competition, Taylor and Cassidy won

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

11

first place and moved on to the state FFA convention, where they performed in front of 10,000 people – and won. But little did the two know, their act would see an even larger stage. They performed at the 2007 National FFA Convention and, in honor of the event, raised the difficulty of their routine even more.

Donning blindfolds during part of the routine and standing on the garbage cans during another, the

pair wowed the audience at the national talent revue.

But not all FFA talent is associated with music. Liz Kelly Pagan, an FFA member from Puerto Rico, is an avid jewelry-maker.

Using different elements – anything from wood to plastic – Liz Kelly creates unique pieces of jewelry.

Since joining FFA, Liz Kelly has extended her talents to incorporate the organization. During FFA

events, she can be seen wearing FFA earrings that she created from FFA pins or a handmade necklace to go with her FFA Official Dress.

“I like making jewelry, so I make FFA pieces too,” she explains.

In fact, her jewelry has become so popular that she’s now making pieces for friends.

“I used to just make my earrings and necklaces in the summer,” she says. “But now, I’m making it after school, on the weekends or anytime I find 10 minutes to work.”

This type of following is what makes Liz Kelly’s story – along with any talented FFA member’s experience – a success story in the making. Finding a niche – in these members’ cases, the FFA niche – has made all the difference.

PueRto Rico member Liz Kelly Pagan wears FFA earrings she made herself.

ffanewhorizons.org

Coy Dale thomas, a spirited trick roper from Stillwater, Okla., Shows off his unique lasso tRicks at the 2007 National FFA convention.

12

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

Know another talented FFA member? Tell us online.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Q&A

FFA National Officer they are manageable with limited space. At times, I had nearly 200 rabbits and traveled nearly every weekend to shows all across the United States. The rabbits were my first introduction to leadership roles, public speaking and even genetics. What started as a small project has become a life-changing line of experiences. Today, I have about 70 animals and focus more on teaching at clinics and judging shows – which I love more than anything!

Q

In this issue, we feature some FFA members with truly unique talents.

What “secret” talent or hobby do you have that you can share?

A FYI Becky Sullivan BECKY’S FAVORITES

Look through this FFA member’s briefcase, and you’ll find a photo of her mom and five different flavors of gum. She may be indecisive about her gum, but she does have other specific favorites: Animal: Horse Sport to play: Tennis Number: Six

National

FFA secretary

Serving as the 2007-08 national FFA secretary is a great honor for Kansas native Becky Sullivan. She credits her older sister, Michelle, for inspiring her to join FFA and also looks forward to seeing her brother Ronnie join the organization next year. Learn more about your national secretary, including her secret talents and favorite quote!

CDE: Agricultural sales Food: Trail mix Hobby: Photography

Q

What inspired you to raise rabbits for your supervised agricultural experience program (SAE), and how did you grow your business?

A

My rabbit SAE began as a 4-H project and later transformed into an extensive breeding, showing and selling operation. I grew up on a small hobby farm, so rabbits were a good fit for me since

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Q

In high school, I played the trombone.

I also enjoy doing acrylic painting and swing dancing!

What is your favorite icebreaker for FFA meetings and events?

A

“Zip, Zap, Boing, Whoosh!” It’s a fun game I learned at the Nebraska FFA convention last year. It involves a group of people in a circle who make certain motions and noises as they pass the “Zip, Zap, Boing or Whoosh” around, depending on the previous person’s action. It can be complicated to explain, but a blast once you get it! (Visit ffanewhorizons.org to download instructions for the game.)

Q

Do you have a quote or saying you live by?

A

“If you get a chance – take it! If it changes your life – let it! No one ever said it would be easy; they only promised it would be worth it.”

ffanewhorizons.org Log on to learn more about Becky and her fellow national officers.

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

13

FFA Faces

Members in action

Win a Chevrolet T-Shirt Chevrolet, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award a T-shirt to featured members. Nominate yourself or a fellow FFA member by sending us the following details about the nominee: name, grade, address, FFA and academic achievements, interests and extracurricular activities. To be considered, submissions must include a high-quality color photo.

Send to: FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960, Indianapolis, IN 46268 Or e-mail to newhorizons@ffa.org

KY Ethan Beard Chapter: Clinton County FFA

As a high school sophomore, Ethan is already very active in his FFA chapter. This chapter reporter participates in livestock judging, parliamentary procedure and other speaking contests. He is also a member of numerous student groups, including student council and the basketball team. Ethan plans to pursue a career in the environmental and natural resources industry.

TX

OR Shae Gilbreath

Lindsay Garrett

Chapter: Glide FFA

Chapter: Canton FFA

This high school junior grew up on her family’s sheep ranch and used her agricultural background to excel in the livestock and meats career development events (CDE). Shae demonstrates her leadership by participating in parliamentary procedure and serving as chapter secretary. She is also a member of her school’s basketball, softball and volleyball teams.

As a high school senior, Lindsay has developed a strong supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in agricultural communications. Through her freelance work with an advertising agency, she assists clients and writes articles for companies in the beef industry. Lindsay is also serving as her chapter’s president for the third year in a row.

OK

IA Kenneth Luckstead

Lauren Lafferty

Chapter: Monticello FFA

Chapter: Indiahoma FFA

Kenneth comes from a long family history of FFA success. He served as a third-generation chapter president and was awarded the DeKalb Outstanding Senior Award like both his father and grandfather. Kenneth earned his state FFA degree and is now a college freshman, majoring in agricultural studies. He plans to pursue a career in agricultural business.

Lauren, a high school sophomore, builds upon her communication and leadership skills by participating in speaking contests and community service projects. She earned the Chapter Star FFA Award and placed second in the state reporters contest for her chapter scrapbook. Lauren also enjoys playing basketball, working as a lifeguard and showing livestock.

FL

MO

Erika Barth

Dennis Kinkead Jr.

Chapter: Sickles FFA

Chapter: Farmington FFA

As state FFA vice president, Erika values the relationships that are built through FFA and recognizes the importance of serving others. She was the state winner of the prepared public speaking CDE and earned the outstanding senior award for her chapter.

Erika now attends the University of Florida and is majoring in agricultural education.

This high school sophomore developed his SAE by raising chickens and Angus cattle. He participated in the parliamentary procedure and livestock judging CDEs and earned his Greenhand FFA Degree.

In the future, Dennis hopes to attend the University of Missouri to major in agricultural education. He plans to become an agriculture instructor and expand his beef operation.

– Andrea Bloom

14

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA your money

credit scores

By the

Numbers Tips for establishing a

high credit score

A

t this point in your life, you’re probably an expert when it comes to keeping score. With all the tests you’ve taken, the games you’ve played and the contests you’ve entered, it’s practically a given. So here’s a new tally to try – one that most teens never consider: the credit score.

CREDIT SCORES, BY DEFINITION A credit score is a number you earn based on your degree of financial responsibility. The score is based on your “credit history” and is assigned by an independent agency known as a credit bureau (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are the major ones). It’s used by lenders – banks, credit card companies, even colleges – to determine how risky it is to let you borrow their money.

Your credit score will be somewhere between 300 and 850.

To the lender, a high score means you’ll probably pay your bills. A low one means it’s likely you won’t.

From the consumer’s perspective, a good score means better access to “cheap money.” That is, when you receive credit – whether

16

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

it’s to purchase a car, pay for a house or start a business – you’ll pay less interest on the funds you borrow.

You’re essentially rewarded for being a good borrower.

A poor score, on the other hand, may result in no credit at all. Lenders will see you as a risk – someone who might take the money and run. A lender will probably give you money; they’ll just charge you more for it.

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU So how does this apply to you, now, as a teenager in high school?

Well, if you’re under age 18, it doesn’t – at least not technically.

According to Laura Levine, executive director of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, until you turn 18, your signature is not legally valid.

“You can’t legally get a credit card in your own name,” Levine says.

Without a valid signature, of course, you can’t sign the paperwork necessary to take out a loan. And until you borrow money, there’s no way for the credit bureaus to generate your credit report.

TAKING STEPS TO GOOD CREDIT In practical terms, though, it’s not so simple. While you’re in high school, you can establish a credit history by applying for a secured credit card from your local bank.

A secured credit card works like the regular kind with one major exception: Your spending limit is set by the amount of money available in your personal savings account.

You can also become an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card. As an authorized user, you can make purchases with the card, but the adult on the card is legally responsible for making payments.

Once you turn 18, everything changes. You’ll find offers for credit everywhere you turn. And as you use your credit to make purchases, every dime you borrow – and hopefully pay back, on time – will be tracked by the credit bureaus.

An annual credit report, and its companion score, will result.

“If you use credit wisely,” Levine says, “it’s a wonderful financial tool. If your use of credit turns into piles of debt, it’s not.”

In short, it’s up to you to handle your finances responsibly. Really, it’s just like school. Take it seriously, and you’ll probably have the high scores to show for it.

– Chris Hayhurst

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA How-to

Thank your ffa advisor

1.

A Token of

Appreciation Five unique ideas for saying to your advisor

thank you

A

dvisors invest so much in their FFA students – staying after school to train teams, spending summers at weeklong camps or going to fairs – that members often develop a special bond with them.

Many chapters take advantage of the annual spring banquet to thank their advisors. But how about some additional, more memorable ways to let your advisor know just how much you appreciate all he or she does?

Last May, as a year-end appreciation gift, FFA members in Covington, Tenn., chipped in to give their three advisors – Bryan Cole, Liz Flanagan and Ted Turner – a gift

certificate to a nice steakhouse in Memphis. Then-senior Mary Jean Hall had been given a certificate for a limousine ride to use for the prom, but she thought it would send their advisors’ gift “over the top” to donate the limo ride, too.

“It was Mr. Turner’s last year [after nearly 40 years as an FFA advisor], so we wanted it to be extra-special,” Mary Jean says.

She adds that Covington FFA students try to thank their advisors every day, but take special opportunities, such as a big breakfast on Teacher Appreciation Day, to go out of their way to say thanks.

Here are a few more ideas:

PERSONALIZE IT! Traditional teacher gifts such

as coffee mugs and books mean even more when inscribed with a personal message from students. One class bought their teacher a new white lab coat, then decorated and wrote messages on it with fabric pens.

2.

RECORD IT! You can make a keepsake

DVD that captures the moment by filming chapter members’ live thank-you messages with a digital camera and saving them to a disk.

3.

WRITE IT! Create a letter your advisor

will treasure forever. Jot down some specific ways he or she made a difference in your life or cite a particular memory you have from the past year.

4.

PRINT IT! Put your appreciation

in print by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, praising your advisor’s hard work and dedication. Or, take out an ad telling your advisor – and the whole community – how great he or she is.

5.

VISIT! If you’re a former FFA

member, surprise your past advisor with a visit, and thank him or her personally.

– Carol Cowan

ffanewhorizons.org

Covington, Tenn., FFA advisors enjoy a fun night out, couRtesy of theiR members.

18

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

Have a great idea for teacher appreciation? Visit this story online and add your comments.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA Back Talk

Former members Reflect

Dale

Darling A Q

Climbing enthusiast leans on FFA experiences to scale

Mount Everest

How did you first discover your passion for climbing?

Growing up on a dairy farm, I was used to physical labor and long hours. After graduating from college, I moved to Visalia, Calif., to direct dairy genetic exports for World Wide Sires. Visalia is one hour from the Sierra Nevada, which has peaks over 14,000 feet high. I started hiking on the weekends and really enjoyed it. My next goal was to climb in other countries. Then I read the book Seven Summits, by Dick Bass, about his experience climbing the revered Seven Summits. This became my goal. Each year I would take my vacations to climb abroad.

Q

What do you consider the most rewarding part of any climb?

A

Former Michigan FFA state officer Dale Darling reaches his goal of climbing the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents.

Having completed the Seven Summits!

Being alive! Appreciating life and what we have in our lives! Standing on an 8-inch ledge near the top of Mount Everest at 29,000 feet over an 8,000-foot drop-off allows you to appreciate what’s all around us.

Q

A

former Michigan FFA secretary, State Star Farmer and national proficiency winner, Dale Darling has made an even bigger name for himself since his FFA membership.

Today, Darling is considered one of only 130 people in the world to have climbed the Seven Summits – the highest peaks of each of the seven continents, including Asia’s Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, at 29,085 feet. Besides his climbing adventures, Darling handles international exports of almonds for Blue Diamond Growers in California, the world’s largest almond cooperative. Read more about this adventurous former member.

20

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

Do you think FFA and your agricultural background prepared you for the mental challenges of climbing?

A

Absolutely! FFA taught me how to communicate with people. During each of my climbs, I met people from five to 10 different countries, who all spoke different languages. An agricultural background and childhood on a dairy farm prepared me for the hard work, long hours, grueling conditions and extreme temperatures associated with mountain climbing.

ffanewhorizons.org See more photos and read excerpts from Darling’s climbing journals.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG