August 2009, FFA New Horizons

FFA

L O G O N AT F FA N E W H O R I Z O N S . O R G

NEW HORIZONS

®

THE MAGAZI NE OF THE N ATIONAL FFA ORGA NIZATION | August 2 009

Knowledge For College Your life-after-high-school questions, answered

More Than a

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MELODY

tips for calming job interview jitters

Katie Snider believes

FFA is singing her song

Create a profile. Add friends. Start a group. Voice your opinions.

WEB POLL What do you enjoy most about FFA? The awards 2.9%

The Buzz Online Tell the FFA Nation about your summer experiences!

Upload photos of your FFA summer camps, livestock projects and family vacations.

The official dress 5.47%

Log on to see this month’s

FFA Giveaways

The conventions 8.6 % The people 11.4 %

Discussions “Hey guys. I would like to know about your state conventions, FFA banquets or any big event you go to.”

Everything!

71.4 % Thanks to FFA Nation user

FFAchick23 for creating this poll.

davidcffa

Log in to FFA Nation to respond.

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What ’s New Check out the latest information about colleges and universities across the country in College Row, our virtual campus tour.

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

“I THINK THAT FFA NEW HORIZONS IS GREAT! AND THE WEBSITE GIVES EASY ACCESS TO ALL THE THINGS PEOPLE MISS IN THE MAGAZINE.”

Marissa Turnbull, Crater FFA, Ore.

Go online to submit your FFA experiences.

State Scoop Read special inserts from other associations in State Scoop.

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FFA

Volume 55 Number 6

NEW HORIZONS

®

august 2009

The magazine of the National FFA Organization

JULIE WOODARD KIM NEWSOM JOYCE CARUTHERS JESSY YANCEY ANDREA BLOOM, CHRIS HAYHURST, JESSICA MOZO, KAREN SCHWARTZMAN KEITH HARRIS BRIAN McCORD JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER BRIAN SMITH CHRISTINA CARDEN MELISSA HOOVER, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT LAURA GALLAGHER, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS ERICA HINES, AMY NELSON MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY GARY SMITH YANCEY TURTURICE FRANCO SCARAMUZZA ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ CARL SCHULZ JENNIFER GRAVES TWILA ALLEN KRISTY MEYER, AMBER STRIEGEL RAY LANGEN CARLA H. THURMAN CASEY E. HESTER MARK FORESTER TEREE CARUTHERS NATASHA LORENS JEFFREY S. OTTO BETH MURPHY

Contents

Editorial Director Managing Editor Copy Editor Associate Editor Contributing Writers Creative Director Senior Photographer Staff Photographers Web Development Director Associate Production Director Production Project Managers Senior Graphic Designers Graphic Designers Ad Traffic

Distribution Director Information Technology Director Web Design Director Web Project Managers Web Design Web Production Color Imaging Technician FFA Communications Executive Vice President Sr. V.P./Sales Sr. V.P./Operations V.P./Visual Content V.P./Editorial Director Production Director Photography Director Advertising Sales Manager, Custom Division RACHEL MATHEIS Sales/Marketing Coordinator

For advertising information, contact Beth Murphy, (800) 333-8842, ext. 251, or e-mail bmurphy@jnlcom.com.

2008-09 National FFA Officers PAUL MOYA, NM NESSIE EARLY, CA HANNAH CROSSEN, OH LAILA HAJJI, OK REGINA HOLLIDAY, GA RILEY BRANCH, TX

8 cover story

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

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National FFA Staff LARRY CASE National Advisor, Chief Executive Officer STEVE BROWN Executive Secretary BILL FLEET Acting Chief Operating Officer MARION FLETCHER National Treasurer JULIE ADAMS, MARK CAVELL, Division Directors 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 JAMES BARBEE State Superviser, NV ROBERT B. CALVIN Agriculture Teacher/USDE, MO WILBUR CHANCELLOR State Supervisor, MS BRUCE LAZARUS FFA Executive Secretary/USDE, AR JOEL LARSEN State Supervisor, MN KURT LUCAS State FFA Advisor, KY JOHN RAKESTRAW Business Representative/USDE, CO 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.

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

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Copyright© 2009 by the National FFA Organization and Journal Communications Inc. 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.

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Scrapbook

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FFA Faces

More Than a Melody Katie Snider believes FFA is singing her song.

Knowledge For College Your life-after-high-school questions, answered.

Read news, jokes and more.

Learn about members’ achievements.

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What’s Hot

16

National Officer Q & A

17

Your Money

18

How To …

20

Back Talk

Applaud FFA members doing good deeds.

Meet Vice President Regina Holliday.

Add up the ways you can finance college.

Ace a job or college interview.

Please recycle this magazine

On the Cover Katie Snider, Gleason, Tenn.

Photo By J. Kyle Keener

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Advocate for agriculture with Michele Payn-Knoper.

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FFA scrapbook

Express yourself

Happy Campers One of the best FFA experiences for many members is a trip to their state summer FFA camp. Playing sports, participating in leadership training, engaging in friendly competitions, and making new friends definitely makes for a great summer.

We want to know how many of you attended camp this summer. Log on to FFA Nation (ffanation.ffa.org) and share your photos, talk about it on the Discussions forum and maybe even reconnect with summer FFA camp friends!

Fascinated by Frogs Ever heard of the Chiricahua Leopard and Ramsey Canyon Leopard frogs? Both are endangered frog species, and six high-school students from the Arizona Agribusiness and Equine Center in Phoenix know all about them.

In partnership with the Phoenix Zoo, these FFA members developed a DNA marker system to study the genetics of these frogs. The group recently presented its findings at the International Conference of Plant and Animal Genome Research

Just Joking Why did the kid goat think his parents were made of money?

Because he heard them being called “buck” and “doe.”

Samuel Ivanovich Spotsylvania, Va. Why was the piglet in trouble?

Because he had a snout-y attitude.

Seth Good Rolla, N.D.

in San Diego, Calif.

Congratulations to Gabrielle Delmer,

ffanewhorizons.org

Amanda Fish, Jessica Gaines, Taylor Lasley, Taylor Ortiz, Colin Pressler and their instructor, Dr. Michael Brown!

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Send us your best jokes through our Online Feedback Form.

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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. in 1969, women were granted full membership into the National FFA Organization, then called the Future Farmers of America. This year, we celebrate 40 years since that historic event and how far we’ve come. Today, 41 percent of FFA members across the countRy are female.

Riding FFA Style

A Monumental Effort Have you ever seen a replica of the FFA emblem that stands more than 6 feet tall and weighs 3,700 pounds? The FFA members at Los Fresnos High School in Texas have; they have spent the last two years garnering support for its placement at their school.

The monument, known as the Ton of Pride, is etched in a bronze patina lithachrome monument finish and is one of only five in Texas and the only one south of San Antonio.

A special ceremony was held to unveil and dedicate the monument.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

In honor of FFA and inspired by the “American Chopper” TV show, the Kewaunee FFA chapter of Wisconsin now has its own set of wheels. Kewaunee’s FFA chopper is a product of alumni and community donations, a dedicated advisor, and two years of hard work from more than 20 students. FFA symbols and colors are incorporated into every element of the bike’s design, and even the seat is covered with an FFA jacket. The chopper has been shown at the Wisconsin FFA convention and the National FFA Alumni auction during the 2008 National FFA Convention.

Want an easy way to send your story? Visit ffanewhorizons.org and click on Tell Us. Or, send to: FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268 newhorizons@ffa.org

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FFA Faces

Win a Chevrolet T-shirt Chevrolet, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award a T-shirt to featured members.

Nominate yourself by following the steps below. Questions? E-mail ffanation@jnlcom.com.

Create

Describe

Nominate

Go to ffanation.ffa.org and sign up for an FFA Nation profile.

Upload a profile photo and fill out the fields to tell us about your FFA experiences.

Under the FFA Faces thread on the Discussions page, tell us why you should be featured.

OK

IA

Justin Shaver

Feron Leonard nard

Chapter: Sox FFA

Chapter: Lamoni FFA FA

Justin, a high school senior, exhibits pigs and horses orses at local fairs.

He also placed first in his county in the livestock vestock evaluation career development event (CDE). Justin has served as chapter historian and treasurer, plays baseball and is a volunteer fireman.

He plans to attend Oklahoma State University and wants to start his own heating and refrigerationn business.

This high school junior competed in the FFA Creed speaking and horse evaluation CDEs. With her strong leadership skills, Feron served as chapter secretary and was named her chapter’s Star Greenhand. She manages her herd of show cattle through her beef production entrepreneurship SAE and plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian.

KY

WI

Courtney Tarvin

Mitch McCaffery affery

Chapter: Bracken County FFA

Chapter: Johnson Creek reek FFA

A high school junior, Courtney has developed solid olid entrepreneurial supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs grams in vegetable production and diversified livestock production uction by raising tomatoes, market lambs, goats, pigs and Shorthorn cattle. She was named the top swine exhibitor at the state fair for two years and also served as chapter treasurer.

Mitch, a college freshman, first joined FFA to develop his showman skills and began exhibiting hogs at the county fair. He also worked part time on local veal calf and dairy farms. He earned his Greenhand FFA Degree and was named his chapter’s outstanding sophomore. In addition to FFA, Mitch was a member of his school’s football, basketball and baseball teams.

NE

OH

Chaney Black

Sarah Piper

Chapter: West Boyd FFA

Chapter: Big Walnut FFA

This high school senior was a state proficiency winner for her SAE in vegetable production. She owns a two-acre patch of sweet corn and sells her crop locally. She also competed in the agricultural sales and food science CDEs, earned her Chapter FFA Degree and served as chapter secretary. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to major in business.

Through her SAE in specialty animal production, this college freshman owns, breeds and shows 20 dairy goats. For her efforts, Sarah placed third in the state for her proficiency and was named FFA Star Chapter Farmer. She served as chapter president and the district FFA reporter. Sarah plans to attend college and major in agricultural education or political science.

– Andrea Bloom

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Cover Story

More Than a

Melody Katie Snider believes FFA is

singing her song

Story by Chris Hayhurst

F

or those in the audience, the National

We’ve long known that FFA members are about more than just “cows, sows and plows.” You are selfless, motivated, and most of all, unique.

Over the next six issues, we’ll be highlighting FFA members who embody what today’s FFA is all about. You’ll meet athletes, volunteers, an artist and more.

But first, meet Katie, a talented singersongwriter from Gleason, Tenn.

Katie is FFA. Are you?

The song? “Great Balls of Fire” – the rock

FFA Talent Revue held each year during

’n’ roll hit made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis in

the national FFA convention is a chance

the 1950s. And the verdict? By all accounts,

to get up, clap your hands and dance. For those members who perform – like Katie Snider, who earned a spot onstage in 2007 – it’s a chance of a lifetime. And it’s no slam dunk.

Katie, a recent high school graduate from the Gleason FFA Chapter in Tennessee, recalls the moment clearly.

“I was so nervous,” she recalls. “It was

she rocked the house.

“It was so much fun,” Katie says. “I’ll never forget it.”

It could be said that Katie’s performance was destiny.

Thirty years earlier, her dad, Mike, who is now a well-known professional banjo player, also performed at the national FFA convention.

the entire convention, the whole shebang. I’d

Back then he was an officer in Gleason FFA,

never played in front of that many people. I

another honor he shares with his daughter,

just kind of looked out at the crowd, and all I

who also served as a chapter officer.

could see was this ocean of national blue and corn gold.”

Fortunately for Katie, a gifted pianist and composer, she knew what she was doing.

Later, as he raised his family in the same town he grew up in, he made sure his kids were always surrounded by music.

“Growing up in a household where there’s

Blinded by the lights but buoyed by the cheers

music going on all the time, I was just naturally

from the crowd, she took her portable keyboard

drawn to it,” Katie says. “I was curious about

and began to play.

it, so I wanted to learn to play as well. I guess,

Tennessee FFA member Katie Snider performs during the 2007 National FFA convention.

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Cover Story

maybe, I just wanted to be like my dad.

He was really an inspiration for me.”

Katie had friends who were taking piano lessons, so she did the same.

“I loved it right from the start,” she says. “I loved taking piano, and I loved playing and practicing.”

Today, Katie says, after 10 years of lessons, music has become her passion.

“I listen to all types of music, and I’ll play anything,” says Katie, who has performed everywhere from the Tennessee FFA convention to a senior citizens’ Christmas luncheon at school.

During her freshman year, Katie even took part in a program that used music to build self-esteem in young children. There was no piano at the school, so she improvised.

“I brought in a little roll-up keyboard I got for Christmas one year, and I used it with the first graders,” she explains. “It was so interesting to see how they responded. I had them all get up in a line, and they all got to play on it.”

Even the shyest kids in the class came up to the front and gave the keyboard a try, Katie recalls.

“Their faces would light up, and you could tell it meant a whole lot to them. It was beautiful,” she says.

Music, as Katie explains, is her outlet in life.

“If I’m upset or sad, or if I just want to play a song, it kind of transports

Are you a musical FFA member?

Join FFA Nation to connect with other members like you on the Discussions page. You can also upload photos of your favorite musical performances to the Photo Gallery.

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me into whatever state of mind I want to be in,” she says. “It gives me tranquility. I think it’s really neat how something so simple can do that.”

Simply put, Katie is really good on the piano. She’s so good, in fact, that not long ago she won an International Piano Guild Superior Composer Award.

But the piano isn’t the only thing Katie excels at. She also plays guitar and sings, and Katie enjoys composing her own music and lyrics.

She’s won state and national public speaking awards, and she’s competed in everything from livestock judging to parliamentary procedure. Katie’s classmates elected her Miss Gleason

High School and homecoming queen.

This summer, Katie began college at the University of Tennessee at Martin on a music scholarship.

Katie says she’s excited about college, though she’s not yet sure what major she will choose. It may be music, it may be creative writing (which she also loves), or it may be something else altogether.

“I’m just going to take life as it comes, one step at a time. I do know that music will definitely have a part in whatever it is I do,” she says.

“I want music to always be a big part of my life. I’m not sure how I’ll use it or where it will lead me, but it will always be there in one way or another.”

Katie learned to play the guitar four years ago, and it quickly became a passion for her. She now writes her own songs and continues to hone her talent.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

Cool stuff to know

A Pet Project As part of their National FFA Week celebration, East Lincoln FFA members from Denver, N.C., sponsored a pet supply drive.

The students collected more than 200 items from their high school classmates, including chew toys, bowls, cat litter, pet food and more. They donated the items to the Humane Society of Lincoln County and The Animal League of Gaston County.

According to FFA advisor Shane Norris, the members recognized that these groups needed their help more than ever during the economic downturn, when the number of abandoned pets skyrockets.

“When families are displaced and move to alternative housing, they usually have no room or are not allowed to have pets,” Norris explains.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

FFA What's hot

Twist of Fate In 2007, Dakota Hoben and some friends from the Louisa-Muscatine High School in Iowa were enjoying a hot summer day when a tornado blew through their community, causing damage everywhere. A particular home caught their attention, since they knew its resident was in her 90s and likely inside. She was, and the boys pulled her to safety and provided basic first aid until help arrived.

While many people call Dakota and his friends heroes, they remain humble.

“I feel I could count on every FFA member from across this country to respond in a similar fashion, with a similar attitude,” Dakota says.

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college affords FFA members a unique opportunity to interact with other students, in addition to providing a quality education.

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Story by Kim Newsom Photography by Jeffery S. Otto

Knowledge For

College Your life-after-high-school questions, ANSWERED

N

ervous, scared, intimidated, anxious.

hour. So as an example, a three-hour class would

That’s how many of you say you feel

equal to at least nine hours of study time.”

about life after high school. The good news is, you’re not alone.

Many middle- and high-school students find themselves with more questions than answers when it comes to college. After all,

Christy Watkins

FYI

Recruitment Coordinator,

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Murray State University, Murray, Ky.

Thanks to these FFA members who contributed college questions for this article:

“College is all about time management.

it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll

You are away from home, with no one to tell

ever make and, for many of you, the first you’ll make as an “adult.”

you when to study, how much to study or when

So, for this year’s annual college feature,

to go to bed. It is up to you to make sure that you get everything done. I suggest making

we turned to you.

We asked our FFA Facebook friends and

a weekly checklist for all the assignments

FFA Nation users to submit questions about

need to study. Get a planner if it will help.”

college. And for the answers, we called upon college experts – admissions directors,

Erin Crumbley

professors, current college students and

Las Cruces, N.M.

even your National FFA Collegiate Ambassadors.

Read on for a great variety of college information, from information on housing to how you can continue your FFA involvement.

hard is the transfer from QHow studying in high school to studying in college?

“Most students tell me they don’t have to study in high school to do well, so there is definitely a transition when entering college.

In college, students are expected to spend three hours studying outside of class for each credit

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

due, things you need to read and things you

Freshman, New Mexico State University,

QHow is my roommate chosen?

“With most on-campus housing, you have

the opportunity to choose your own roommate.

If you decide not to, you are usually randomly assigned to a student who has similar interests as you. A word of advice: Be bold and let your

• Ame Steele, Northwestern Regional FFA, Conn.

• Shyann Krumrey, Buffalo Lake-Hector FFA, Minn.

• Jon Wilber, Scott County FFA, Ky. • Leah Schill, Crothersville FFA, Ind. • Ross Newton, Hoosier Hills FFA, Ind. • Kolin Schmidt, Central City FFA, Iowa

roommate be randomly assigned. You can gain lifelong friendships and meet more people that way.”

• Benjamin Trampe, SEM FFA, Neb.

Mike Ockerhausen Junior, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.

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13

is college so QWhy expensive?

instead, get involved. You’ll make

fits you; don’t make yourself fit

friends quickly, and the myriad

the major!”

of activities and schoolwork

Kathryn Martensen

I make my college education worth the

should prevent boredom!”

Assistant Dean, College of

investment?” And, college is an invest-

Jason Emmert

Agricultural, Consumer and

ment – one that will pay off throughout

Assistant Dean, College of

Environmental Sciences

your lifetime, since your salary will

Agricultural, Consumer and

University of Illinois at

be greatly higher than someone with

Environmental Sciences, University

Urbana-Champaign

only a high-school diploma.”

of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

“The better question is, “How can

Ina Agnew Vice President, Enrollment Management, Oklahoma State University Institute of

do I decide which QHow major to choose?

“What you choose to pursue

do colleges look for QWhat in an applicant?

“Colleges are looking for students who are driven and want to be involved.

in college will likely change over

Grades are important, but they

your collegiate career. The strong

aren’t usually the only deciding

majority of college students will

factor. FFA members have a head

change majors at least once, and

start because of the reputation of

and not miss everybody?

the strong majority of those of us

the National FFA Organization.”

“Make connections! Talk

Technology, Okmulgee, Okla.

should I do to remain QWhat sane the first few months

in the workforce are employed in

Natalie Ryan

to your professors and fellow

an area not directly tied to our

Junior, California

students. Don’t isolate yourself;

college major. Find a major that

State University – Fresno

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any way to continue QIsFFAthere during college?

“Collegiate membership! Once on campus, get connected with your collegiate FFA chapter so you can stay involved in the many opportunities FFA has to offer. If your campus doesn’t currently have a collegiate FFA chapter, simply contact National FFA at collegiate@ffa.org to get information on how to charter a new chapter. Once connected with your collegiate chapter, you’ll be amazed at all the opportunities that await you!”

Marty Tatman Education Specialist, National FFA Organization

is the best advice QWhat that you would give to a high school student about college in general?

“Keep your mind open. You will be surprised who you will meet, what you will discover and the fun you will have when you are open to trying new things you would have never done in high school.”

Erin Sheffer College graduate, Towson University, Towson, Md.

Visit the Discussions page to join the conversation about life after high school.

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FFA National Officer

Q&A

Q

Why should FFA members consider joining Collegiate FFA after they finish high school?

A

Collegiate FFA is a great way to continue involvement in such a great organization. You may go to a school outside of your state, but with Collegiate FFA, you can still work with individuals who have the same beliefs in agriculture. Plus, it helps you learn how we as agriculturalists can help educate people on things that affect our everyday lives.

Q

As a beef cattle producer and FFA member, what do you tell people when asked about our nation’s food supply?

A

FYI REGINA’S FAVORITES

Any day of the week, this Georgia native’s purse is carrying around a pack of crayons. Sound strange? Learn more about Regina’s quirks and favorites: Sport to play: Tennis Color: Pink Food: Chicken and dumplings FFA memory: Annual fruit sale Animal: Cows Anima Hobby: Singing Ho

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Regina

We have one of the safest – if not the safest – food supply in the world. Quite often, people don’t fully understand the issues in agriculture, so it’s important to educate people about our industry. That education starts as FFA members in our local communities and can even extend to our collegiate careers and beyond.

Holliday Q FFA A

National Southern Region Vice President

Regina Holliday loves animal agriculture. A native of Dublin, Ga., she began showing beef cattle at an early age, and her career goal is eventually become a veterinarian. But for now, Regina is enjoying her year as the National FFA Southern Region Vice President.

Q

What is your favorite part about being a college student?

A

I love life at the University of Georgia!

The best part about being a college student is getting to meet new people.

Trust me – in a lecture hall of more than 400 students, you meet somebody new every day!

A lot of other FFA members, like you, also want to become veterinarians.

What are you doing to prepare yourself for your future career?

I have realized the important of maintaining good grades, so studying is a must for me. The average GPA to get into vet school is greater than a 3.5, so I have to hit the books! I also think it is important to build relationships with faculty and staff at your college or university. My advisor at UGA has been instrumental in helping me take the required courses and developing a plan of action so that I can go to vet school.

ffanewhorizons.org Click on In This Issue for more from our interview with Regina.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

College Finance

FFA your money

College Costs How

Much? preparing

The first step in for college is to understand the money involved

I

f college is in your near future, you’re probably thinking about choosing a major, moving into your dorm room and maybe even joining a sorority or fraternity. But hold your horses – the first step in planning for college is to understand the costs involved. After all, your education is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll make in your life.

It’s no secret college costs a pretty penny. You’ll be wise not to rely solely on your parents to navigate the ins and outs of tuition, grants and loans.

Even if you’re just considering college, you should also fill out the FAFSA application, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can complete it online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG

“The FAFSA is the government’s way of determining how much you and your parents can afford to pay for college. It’s probably the most important financial aid form a college-bound student can complete,” says Mark Rothbaum, president of CollegeToolkit.com. “You’ll need to complete this form to get access to most of the money available from the federal government, including Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. And many state and private aid programs use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for their scholarship, grant and loan programs.”

You’ll also want to create a budget for college, and there are dozens of calculators and worksheets available online to help. CollegeToolkit.com, for example, offers a College Expense Worksheet to create a budget, a Aid Award Evaluator to Financial A financial aid ccompare co m awards, and a College Savings Cal Calculator.

It’s never nev too early for high school students to start planning for college expenses. Though most students don’t Th think about it until junior or senior year, y ear, freshmen freshm and sophomores can benefit from examining scholarship applications, application joining clubs and paying attention to their grades. atte – Jessica Mozo

College Finance, Defined Some common terms you’ll hear as you research college finance options: Tuition: The amount of money you’ll have to pay to attend a college Pell Grant: A federal grant that provides funds to undergraduate students with financial need Stafford Loan: A federal student loan program that allows students to borrow money for education directly from banks and lenders Subsidized Loans: Federal loans that are based on financial need; students typically are not charged interest until they begin repayment after graduation Unsubsidized Loans: Federal loans that are not based on financial need; students are charged interest right from the start Interest Rate: The cost of borrowing money as expressed as a percentage rate of the sum you are borrowing Promissory Note: A legally binding contract a borrower signs to obtain a loan Out-of-State Tuition: The extra money you’ll have to pay if you attend a public college somewhere other than in your home state Scholarships/Grants: Free money for college that you do not have to repay Loans: Money you borrow for college that you will eventually have to pay back to the lender

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FFA How-to

Ace a job interview

Job Interview

Jitters nerves

7 tips to calm your and help you present yourself professionally

don’t have a closet full of suits. Talk to your parents about purchasing an affordable suit or put some time into ironing and matching clothes you already have.

3.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS. Google “common

interview questions” and print out

ust hearing the word “interview”

J

first enter the room, the interviewer

is enough to make some students

will ask you questions that will give

break out in a cold sweat. After

you a chance to display your skills.

all, whether you’re trying to get into

If you look poorly dressed, run late

college, get chosen for an internship,

and answer incoherently, the

or land your first job, an interview

interviewer will ask questions that

places you in the hot seat and is

attempt to figure out how off you are.”

the deciding factor for some very important opportunities in life.

Truman offers these additional words of advice:

impressions,” says Mark Truman, a college consultant and owner of Omniac Education, a New Mexico firm that

1.

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. Try on clothes, arrange

for a ride and scope out the interview site in advance.

college. “If you look confident, capable and intelligent when you

4.

PLAN FOR CURVEBALLS. Also be prepared

for curveball questions. Lots of interviewers like to ask unusual questions to see how well candidates think on their feet.

‘I don’t know,’” Truman says. “If they ask you your favorite movie and you say Mortal Kombat, that’s totally fine.

It’s honest and might even get a laugh out of the interviewer.”

specializes in helping students transition from high school to

friend ask you sample questions.

“There’s only one wrong answer –

“Interviewers spend a good amount of time justifying their first

a list, then have your parents or a

2.

LOOK PROFESSIONAL. Teens sometimes struggle

to look professional because they

5.

KNOW ABOUT THEM. Show you are interested

in the job, internship or scholarship by knowing a few important facts about the company. Researching the website is a must.

6.

ARRIVE EARLY. If you’re rushing around,

you’ll look unprepared – even if you spent hours preparing.

7.

BE YOURSELF. As cliché as it sounds,

focus on being yourself.

“Interviewers don’t expect you to be perfect, “Truman says. “They are interested in honest discussions.”

– Jessica Mozo

18

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

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FFA Back Talk

Former members Reflect

Q

What does your company, Cause Matters Corp., do?

A

I work with people in production agriculture and agribusiness to speak out more effectively in order to build a connection between the farm gate and consumer plate. Recently I began offering keynotes and workshops for FFA conventions and leadership conferences with a friend who was in a neighboring FFA chapter. You never know when your fellow FFA members will come back into your life!

Q

In what ways did FFA help prepare you for this type of career?

A

FFA transformed me from being painfully shy to falling in love with speaking on the stage of the Michigan FFA convention.

The leadership skills taught at all levels of FFA continue to serve as the foundation for my life.

Michele Payn-Knoper is an FFA alumna from Michigan.

Q

Why do you think it’s important for FFA members to help advocate for U.S. agriculture?

Michele

Payn-Knoper A advocate

Agriculture and FFA alumna tells the story of those who feed our world

I

f you ask Michele Payn-Knoper what she does, her simple answer is, “run around the world talking a lot.”

As a professional speaker, author and consultant, she works to give a voice to the people who feed the world. Payn-Knoper is no newcomer to agriculture; she grew up on a dairy cattle operation and served as the Michigan FFA Secretary.

Learn more about her unique career.

20

FFA

NEW HORIZONS

Regardless of whether your interests are in landscaping, food science, forestry, raising livestock or planting crops – understand you have a story to tell about agriculture.

FFA members across the nation need to be speaking up to help get the word out that American agriculture does the right thing for the right reasons. The reality is that if you don’t, consumer misunderstanding will drive the future of our business.

Add your thoughts about agricultural advocacy to our Discussions thread.

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