Winter 2012, FFA New Horizons

Food Drives and More

FFAnation.org

WINTER 2012-13

5 Ways to Fight Hunger in Your Community

Vetting Their Careers Kentucky students gain real-world experience during the school day

contents

winter 2012-13

12 24

Features

Departments

8 Life After High School

4 Scrapbook

Graduation signals the start of an exciting new chapter in your life.

FFA news and achievements, reported by FFA members.

cover story

6 FFA Faces

12 The Real World, FFA Style

Kentucky students jumpstart their career training during the school day.

18 Training Today For Tomorrow Career development events are more than just a competition.

18 www.ffanation.org

On the Cover Students from Locust Trace Agriscience Farm in Lexington, Ky., assist a local veterinarian.

Photo by Brian McCord

See fellow members from across the country.

17 Ag 101 Fast facts about evergreen trees.

22 National Officer Q&A

26 Career Success Discover how to try out multiple careers now to figure out your future plans.

28 Living to Serve Fight hunger during National FFA Week.

31 All About National FFA Learn about FFA scholarships and more.

Say a final farewell to the 2011-2012 team.

32 Reconnect

24 Premier Leadership

Meet Puerto Rico FFA alumnus and past National FFA President Javier Moreno.

Tips for helping others feel included.

FFA New Horizons

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Volume 60 Number 2

FFAnation.org The magazine of the National FFA Organization Editor Kim Newsom holmberg Associate Editors jessy yancey, BLAIR THOMAS FFA Publications Manager Julie woodard FFA Communications Kristy Meyer Content Coordinator Rachel bertone Proofreading Manager RAVEN PETTY Contributing Writers Andrea bloom, BEVERLeY KREUL, Jessica mozo, Hannah Thompson, Jennifer Whittle Creative Services Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers stacey allis, jake shores, laura gallagher, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS Graphic Designers Erica Lampley, kara Leiby, kacey passmore Creative Technology Analyst becca ary Color Imaging Technician alison hunter Photography Director jeffrey s. otto Senior Photographers Jeff adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers todd bennett, Martin cherry, michael conti Web Creative Director allison davis Web Project Manager david day Web Designer richard stevens Web Development Lead yamel hall Web Developer nels noseworthy Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants krystin lemmon, Patricia Moisan Accounting Diana guzman, maria mcfarland, lisa owens Executive Secretary Kristy duncan Executive Vice President Ray Langen Sr. V.P./Operations Casey Hester Controller CHRIS DUDLEY Distribution Director Gary Smith Advertising Sales rhonda graham, Katie newbern For advertising information, contact Rhonda Graham, (800) 333-8842, ext. 324, or e-mail rgraham@jnlcom.com.

2011-12 National FFA Officers President Ryan Best, NM Secretary Jason Troendle, MN Eastern Region Vice President Ken QUICK, NY Central Region Vice President Alicia hodnik, WI Southern Region Vice President Cain thurmond, GA Western Region Vice President Seth Pratt, ID National FFA Staff National FFA Advisor steve brown Chief Executive Officer dwight armstrong National Treasurer Marion Fletcher Division Directors Mark Cavell, janet chronic, rob cooper, Dale Crabtree, Bob webster, Kent schescke, Vicki settle, lee anne shiller, Tony Small, Bill stagg, dexter wakefield, christine white

Visit FFA Nation to read past issues of FFA New Horizons, nominate a friend (or yourself) for FFA Faces and talk to other members in the online community!

Food dRIVEs ANd MoRE

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

Copyright© 2012 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.

5 Ways to Fight Hunger in Your Community

VETTINg ThEIR CAREERs Kentucky students gain real-world experience during the school day

digital magazine Tell Your story Ever wondered if you could be featured in FFA New Horizons magazine? You can! Visit ffa.org/ffanation and fill out the form on the Contact Us page. We want to share your chapter’s stories and photos!

Want to see past issues of FFA New Horizons?

Visit the Digital Magazine page to flip through issues back to 2008.

FFA Faces Visit www.ffafaces.com to nominate a friend or yourself.

National FFA Board of Directors – Members Chair, USDE, VA Steve Brown Treasurer, State Supervisor, AR Marion Fletcher State Supervisor, GA Chip Bridges Teacher/USDE, LA Alice DuBois Industry Representative/USDE, CA Matthew Gonzales State Supervisor, CA Bob Heuvel State Supervisor, WI Jeff Hicken State Supervisor, DE Karen Hutchison Teacher Educator/USDE, FL Brian Myers FFA Executive Secretary/USDE, NJ Erin Noble Subscription Information: FFA New Horizons (ISSN 1069-806X) is published quarterly 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.

WINTER 2012-13

online exclusive!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

FFAnation.org

• CAREER PROFILES • COLLEGE LISTINGS • NATIONAL FFA EXPO LIST & FLOOR PLAN • SHOPPING MALL MAP

2012 NATIONAL FFA EXHIBIT & EXPO GUIDE

Connect

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Career Resources Want to learn more about the colleges, universities and technical schools who exhibited at the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo?

Visit FFAnation.org/convention2012 for information about more than 200 schools across the country.

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FFA New Horizons

3

Scrapbook

FFA News From Across the U.S. A place to celebrate your FFA achievements, chapter successes and good deeds

Molding a Memory In memory of Christy Marie Maubach, an FFA member from Missouri, a group of FFA members and supporters contacted Precious Moments to create an FFA-inspired collectible.

The result was two collectibles, both a female and a male, called “I Believe.” These collectibles were specially manufactured and are available at the Chicken Coop Collectibles in Shelbina, Mo., Christy’s hometown. Proceeds are going toward a memorial scholarship.

For more information, visit the online version of this story at FFAnation.org.

Indianapolis, INdiana

New FFA Mascot Takes Flight Please welcome Flyte to the FFA family! The lovable creature is the newest addition to the National FFA Organization staff, as its Chief Brand Ambassador. Flyte made his grand entrance at the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo in October. Be on the lookout – you might meet Flyte at an upcoming FFA event in your own state! Until then, check him out on FFA.org/Flyte.

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FFA New Horizons

www.ffanation.org

Benton FFA, Pennsylvania

Fish on Display The Mississippi River Visitor Center in Rock Island, Ill., now has a beautiful display of 15 lifelike fish, thanks to Benton FFA members.

The members researched the 15 most common fish species in the Mississippi River, learning about their anatomy, feeding habits and habitat. During shop class, the students used scrap pieces of lumber to carve the fish, then sanded the bodies, carved the fins and other features, glued them together and painted the fish.

FFA advisor Doug McCracken delivered the fish to the visitor center, where they were mounted to driftwood and hung in the center.

McBee FFA, South Carolina

A-Maze-ing FFA Promotion This community found a unique – and large – way to recognize its FFA advisor.

McLeod’s Farms wanted to honor FFA chapter advisor Pat Earle, who has taught at McBee for 25 years, and his father, who was the advisor for the previous 40 years.

The FFA emblem corn maze was a perfect way to do so.

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.

www.ffanation.org

Want an easy way to send your story? Email a photo, your story and contact information to newhorizons@FFA.org.

All photos need to be in color and a minimum of 1 MB in size.

Southeastern FFA, Ohio

Putting a Stop to Bullying Two Ohio FFA members have received national recognition for their anti-bullying efforts.

Tyler Gregory and Scott Hannah made an anti-bullying video for the Great American No Bull Challenge, were chosen as finalists, then flown to San Francisco for the No Bull Teen Video Awards.

Now, the pair, known as the “No Bull Guys,” travel to schools and conferences across the country to talk about bullying. They even conducted a workshop at the National FFA Convention & Expo in October. Learn more about the NO BULL Challenge and their story at thenobullguys.com.

your turn

Or, mail to: FFA New Horizons P.O. Box 68960 Indianapolis, IN 46268

FFA New Horizons

5

FFA faces

Meet Six FFA Shining Stars Wrangler, the sponsor of FFA Faces, will award a pair of jeans to featured members Kayley Altemus

Matt Wood

A high school senior, Kayley has served as a chapter FFA officer and helps recruit new members.

She enjoys riding horses and barrel racing as part of her FFA supervised agricultural experience program.

This college freshman served as a chapter FFA officer for three years and developed an SAE in plant sciences, greenhouse management and ag sales. Matt currently serves as the Maryland FFA state reporter.

Alex Postma

Cassiondra Castorena

Alex is currently serving as his chapter’s FFA president for the second year and is consistently a top sales leader for the fruit sale fundraiser. He has started his own beef cattle herd and shows cattle.

Cassiondra, a high school senior, loves riding horses and spent her summer working as an apprentice for a local horse trainer. After high school, Cassiondra hopes to open her own equestrian center.

Brooke Catterton

Bradley Smith

Brooke was nominated by her plant science teacher, who says that she is an excellent role model to others. She serves as the chapter’s vice president and raises market hogs, steers, horses, grain and hay for her SAE.

This high school freshman was the first student in his school to show swine and cattle. Bradley has won numerous blue ribbons and was the supreme competitor at the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery, Ala.

Chapter: Penns Manor FFA, PA

Chapter: Central Lyon FFA, IA

Chapter: Easton FFA, MD

Chapter: Surprise Valley FFA, CA

Chapter: Southern High FFA, MD

Chapter: Pleasant Valley FFA, AL

Nominate yourself to be considered for FFA Faces by following the steps below.

Questions? Email ffanation@jnlcom.com.

1

Go Online Visit www.ffafaces.com and click on Nominations. You can nominate yourself or another current FFA member.

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FFA New Horizons

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Describe Fill out the form to tell us about you – your FFA involvement, school activities, future plans and more.

3

Upload Find a great photo of yourself – head and shoulders photos work best – and upload it as part of the nomination form. www.ffanation.org

LIFE after Story By Jessica

Mozo

high school Graduation signals the start of an exciting new chapter in your life

I

t’s a question we’ve all pondered since we were preschoolers: What do you want to be when you grow up? Now that high school graduation is coming into view, that question is manifesting itself in new ways. Many students report that they begin their career planning as early as the sixth grade. And if you’re a junior or senior, chances are you’ve been hearing this question a lot lately: What do you plan to do after high school?

That little question can be pretty intimidating. The 8

FFA New Horizons

choices are limitless, but choosing the right one that fits your skills, personality and financial situation can be a challenge. You may even feel pressure from your parents or family to choose a certain college or vocation.

The real world has a lot to offer, but like most things in life, you only get out of it what you put in. It’s never too early to begin planning your future. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options out there once you’ve hung up your cap and gown. www.ffanation.org

EGE L L CO or

AL C I N H C TRAINING TE

UNIVERS ITY

WORKF OR CE

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MILITARY

FFA New Horizons

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Attending a college or university is probably the most common route high-school graduates take, but how do you decide if you are college material? College is one of the most expensive investments of money, time and effort a person will make in their life, so determine if it’s really the path you want to take.

“Think about what you want to achieve after high school, then ask yourself what path you need to take to achieve those goals,” says Amanda Wulle, an enrollment counselor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. “Will your future job require training, and what type? Will a bachelor’s degree be sufficient? How are you currently doing in school, and will you be successful continuing in the classroom?”

Other questions to ask yourself might include, “Do I enjoy learning? Can I spend the next four years studying and taking exams? Do I have the financial means to pursue continued education?”

Once you’ve decided college is for you, you’ll need to choose a school. Location, cost, reputation, campus life and course offerings are all big factors.

“My biggest piece of advice is to visit the colleges you are looking into,” Wulle says. “Take a tour, see a residence hall, eat in the dining hall and see what it’s like to be a student on campus. You will probably know whether you like it or not within the first 15 minutes.”

Typically students attend college for four years and

Maybe the idea of spending the next four years in the classroom makes you want to pull your hair out.

While you may not choose to go to college after high school, there is a different type of schooling that will help you learn a trade or craft so you can excel in your future profession. If you’re a hands-on type of person

AL C I HN TRAINING C E T

10 FFA New Horizons

E LLEG O C or UNIVE RSI TY

earn a bachelor’s degree in their field. Others continue on to earn more advanced degrees in medical or law school.

“College can really take students wherever they want to go,” Wulle says. “Gaining higher education can help students specialize in a certain field – like accounting, nursing or education – and earn more money. Higher education also increases their value and marketability during their job search.”

who enjoys activities that are both physically and mentally stimulating, consider technical or trade school.

Technical and trade schools cost significantly less than colleges and universities, and you can complete a program in one or two years instead of four. They teach you a specific trade in a hands-on setting, and they often offer apprenticeships to give students hands-on experience alongside a professional in a real-world setting.

Possible careers gained through technical school include being an electrician, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, master builder, massage therapist, computer technician, cosmetologist, nurse or welder. Trade careers can pay very well, and you can be sure no two days will ever be the same.

If technical school sounds appealing to you, decide what type of career you want to pursue and research schools in your area. Start by consulting your guidance counselor or FFA advisor about possible programs in your field of interest.

Read job descriptions online to give you an idea of the minimum requirements employers look for when hiring workers. If possible, take classes while you are still in high school that give you experience in your field of interest, such as agricultural mechanics, automotive mechanics, woodworking and more. www.ffanation.org

After graduation, you might find fulfillment in the U.S. Armed Forces, which includes the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. You can enlist immediately after high school, any time you turn 18.

The military even pays college tuition for Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) members in exchange for limited service while they are in school and full-time service after graduation for a predetermined period of time (typically four to six years, depending on what branch of service you are in).

Antonio Salinas, an active duty officer in the U.S. Army from Colorado Springs, Colo., enlisted in the Marines in 1998, two months after graduating from high school. In 2002, he used the GI Bill to earn a bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He later enrolled in ROTC to pay for his master’s degree in history.

“I came from a blue collar family, and I didn’t want to burden them with college costs,” Salinas says. “The Marines provided me with confidence, honor and an incredible work ethic.”

Salinas became an infantry officer in 2007 and has since led Americans into combat and written a book called Siren’s Song: The Allure of War about the effects of battle on people.

“The military has blessed me with many gifts,” he says. “I feel the best gift is my ability to process and solve intricate problems under high amounts of stress.

Commanding troops in battle gives one the ability to remain calm and be the ‘eye of the storm.’ ” Obviously, the military isn’t for everyone. Salinas suggests asking yourself these questions before enlisting:

WORKFORCE

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“Do I believe the American way of life is worth dying for? Am I physically tough? Could I function in war? Can I learn to follow so that one day I may be a leader? Am I willing to give 100 percent every day I am in uniform?”

To find out if you’re eligible to join, visit www.military.com/recruiting.

MILITA RY

online Have you joined the FFA AgCareer Network yet?

There, you’ll have access to even more careerplanning resources. Visit FFA.org/AgCN to learn more about this exciting new online system.

Some high school graduates begin working immediately after graduation, whether out of desire or financial need.

Maybe you need to work a few years to earn money for college, or perhaps you’re just eager to start earning a paycheck.

There are jobs available for people without college degrees, but know that you’ll probably earn less than your college-going counterparts. On the other hand, you won’t have thousands of dollars in student loan debt to pay back like most college graduates.

One benefit of joining the workforce is you can try out different fields so you’ll know what type of work you like and dislike before attending college. Studies show 50 to 70 percent of college students change their majors at least once, and some change several times. It can be beneficial to get some real-world work experience before committing time and money to a particular area of study.

If you’re ready to enter the workforce, talk with your guidance counselor about the job market in your area.

Watch the newspaper classifieds for job openings and do some web research. You may even want to tell your parents’ friends to alert you of any job openings they hear about.

FFA New Horizons 11

, d l r o W l The Rea FFA Style Kentucky students jump-start their career training during the school day

High school agriculture students watch as a team of veterinarians work on a horse’s infected hoof at Locust Trace AgriScience Farm in Lexington, Ky.

12 FFA New Horizons

www.ffanation.org

photos by Brian McCord

www.ffanation.org

FFA New Horizons 13

High school students Micki Lynn Robinson, Tiara Taylor and Tommia Miller learn about chickens in their animal science class.

Y

Ky., allows students the opportunity to gain exposure to ou can test drive a new car before you make various careers and fields in agriculture before graduation. the commitment to buy one. You are offered free Not only does this help students make the decision of samples of food when trying new products at the what they want to do with their lives, it also gives students grocery store. You can rent a movie before you the knowledge and skills it takes decide to buy it. In a world of to enter the field. “try it before you buy it,” we “Career readiness is the focus are often given a chance kentucky so that our students are the most to have hands-on, interactive Locust Trace Agriscience employable once they graduate experiences before we make a Farm is located just outside of from high school,” says Brian final decision. However, when Lexington, Ky. Miller, the administrative dean at it comes to choosing a college Locust Trace Agriscience Farm. major or a career path, there “We want to give them a set of aren’t many chances to try on skills so that they are more the different hats before we marketable in the workforce.” make the big commitment.

More and more high schools across the country are working Agriculture to prepare students for their futures in college and careers. and Arithmetic This includes changing Locust Trace Agriscience curriculum, restructuring schools and putting a greater Farm groups student schedules by interest area, including emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. Locust Trace small and large animal sciences, agriculture power Agriscience Farm is one such high school. mechanics, equine science, veterinary science, and Locust Trace Agriscience Farm, outside of Lexington, an introduction to agriculture, plant and land sciences.

14 FFA New Horizons

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One group of agricultural mechanics students build a chicken coop, while others get a lesson on driving a zero-turn mower.

These emphasis areas are then used as starting points for core classes. Rather than wondering, “When am I ever going to use this,” students at Locust Trace learn the basic reading, writing and arithmetic in the interest area of their choice.

Along with real-world education, these students are gaining marketable work skills and experiences.

The 82-acre farm-school boasts an on-site vet clinic, a 6.5-acre garden, a state-of-the-art greenhouse, aquaculture facility and much more that are used for classroom instruction and student learning. Classes and curriculum are supplemented through organized field trips, business partner job shadowing experiences and industry-based internships.

“We have guest speakers who come in to teach us about the different programs,” says Danielle Milbern, a senior involved in the veterinary science program.

“They show us things we normally don’t get to see in the different horseback riding disciplines.”

Developing relationships with local businesses and professionals is another goal for the program. Recently, Dr. Chris Johnson of Woodford Equine Hospital performed a free x-ray of an abscess on one of the school’s horses while teaching the students this vital, technical skill. www.ffanation.org

Hands-On Experiences Having top-notch facilities right on the school farm also makes a major difference in the hands-on opportunities available to the students.

“The on-site vet clinic gives students first-hand job shadowing and internships experiences in the world of veterinary science,” says Miller. “Having an 82-acre farm gives students a real world opportunity for experience with livestock and machinery, especially for the students who come from an urban background and might never experience such things. Our greenhouse and gardens give our students another unique perspective on learning where their food comes from. Students have the opportunity to apply for internships and attend guest lectures on a regular basis on a variety of visiting industry professionals and graduate students from the University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture.”

Combining relevant coursework, on the job experience and real-world skills, students at Locust Trace Agriscience Fair are graduating more prepared for college and the workforce. Being allowed to “test drive” a future career and college pathway is allowing students at Locust Trace Agriscience Farm the opportunity to make better informed decisions for their future.

– Beverley Kreul FFA New Horizons

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at h W w o h S You Know Many FFA members, like those at Locust Trace, have numerous experiences that make them highly marketable for future careers. Are you incorporating these into your resume, scholarship applications, college interviews or even your initial job searches?

Keisto Lucero, an education specialist for the National FFA Organization and former FFA member, shares some ways to flawlessly transition FFA into the application process.

Leadership Positions “I would list your officer responsibilities as work experience,” Lucero says. “Being a treasurer translates to money management and budgeting experience. Were you the chapter FFA reporter?

List some of the marketing strategies, media tools and computer programs in which you are proficient.”

Supervised Agricultural Experiences “Many SAEs include aspects that directly relate to career experience,” Lucero explains. “Think through times when you built or improved upon an aspect of your SAE. The great thing about FFA is we are put in real-life situations where we have to make real-world decisions. Those moments on the farm, in the greenhouse or in the feed shop translate to all areas of life.”

16 FFA New Horizons

Brian Mccord

Incorporate your classroom, hands-on and FFA experiences into your resume

Locust Trace student Shannon Lewis feeds one of the farm’s cows. Experiences like these can be great additions to college essays and job applications.

Career Development Events “Let’s not forget that CDEs are ‘Career Development Events,’ not just contests,” Lucero recommends. “CDEs are designed to put us through experiences we may be interested in. Chances are the CDE you are in is something you could be interested in for a full-time job. Tell an employer about it. Put your best foot forward, be humble about your accomplishments and be sure to sell yourself through those great experiences!”

– Beverley Kreul

online Find more tips on making your resume, college applications and essays stand out at FFAnation.org/resume.

www.ffanation.org

ag 101

O Christmas Tree Celebrate the season with facts about a festive winter crop – the evergreen tree.

Every winter, temperatures cool down, families gather for the holidays, and a seasonal staple – evergreen trees – begin popping up for sale on street corners. We can thank the more than 15,000 tree farms across the United States for supplying these fresh-cut trees, ready to be strung with lights and decorated with ornaments. It’s because of those tree farmers we can enjoy the fresh smell that comes with a farm-grown tree, which outsell artificial trees by more than a 3-to-1 margin.

Pine-Producing States Oregon is the nation’s leading producer of freshcut evergreen trees or “Christmas trees.” The state cut and sold 6.41 million trees in 2010. The majority of Oregon-grown trees make their way to California to be sold. Other top-producing states include North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Tree Tips Learn helpful information on choosing and caring for your own fresh-cut evergreen tree.

1

Do a branch test for freshness. The needles should not come off easily when you run a branch through your enclosed hand. If they snap or are brittle, the tree is too dry.

2

Learn about different tree species. Some, like the White Pine, have soft needles that aren’t recommended for heavy ornaments, while others have longer branches better suited for decor.

3 4 5

If you go to a cut-your-own farm, call ahead to see if you need to bring supplies.

Measure your space before heading to the lot.

Don’t overbuy nor select a tree that is too large.

After the holidays, check to see if your community has a program for recycling holiday trees.

350 million

There are close to 350 million real Christmas trees currently growing on the 15,000 tree farms in the United States alone, all planted by farmers. Approximately 25-30 million of those trees are sold in the country each year.

Sources: National Christmas Tree Association, realchristmastrees.org 17 FFA New Horizons

www.ffanation.org

ay d o T g Trainin For Tomorrow Career development events ar e more than just a competition

C

ritical thinking. Problem solving. Teamwork. These three components make up the framework for the National FFA Organization’s career development events.

Designed to mirror real life, career scenarios, and events in a competition setting, CDEs allow students to learn valuable leadership, problem solving, and critical thinking skills that they can later put into practice in their respective career setting. According to the CDE handbook, the primary goal of career development events is “to develop individual responsibilities,

18 FFA New Horizons

foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement.”

In short, they help prepare you for future careers in that particular field.

“CDEs embody the model of experiential learning. The competition may only be one or two days long, but teachers and students work on experimental learning in the classroom every day,” said Melissa Dunkel, an education specialist for the National FFA Organization.

For example, students who participate in the Forestry CDE must identify 20 different trees, measure

trees for board volume, discuss current industry issues and take a test on general forest products knowledge. For students interested in a forestry career, the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience gained through the CDE is immeasurable.

Job Interview CDE participants create a cover letter and resume, then fill out an electronic employment application, are contacted for a phone interview, go through a personal interview, and write follow-up letters to the interviewers. All these activities closely mimic a real-life job interview experience. www.ffanation.org

Find Your CDE Interest The National FFA Organization offers 25 career development events, covering job skills in everything from communications to poultry judging to mechanics. Some of these events allow students to compete as individuals, while others allow them to compete in teams. Browse through the following list, then visit FFA.org/CDE to learn more about each opportunity.

Agricultural Communications

Food Science and Technology

Agricultural Issues Forum

Forestry

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Agricultural Sales

Todd Bennett

In the early 1920s, Future Farmers of America’s CDEs (or contests, as they were then known) consisted of crop and livestock judging competitions. Over the past 85 years, CDEs have evolved into a larger program, embodying topics related to food and animal sciences, communication, leadership and technology. Today, FFA members can choose from 25 CDEs that include individual and team events.

The Veterinary Science CDE is a new and exciting option available to FFA members, and was offered as a pilot event during the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo this year. Dunkel says that some 80 teams participated in the pilot event, which shows the increased interest in animals and sciences. Participation is remaining steady, if not increasing, amongst the CDEs as well, Dunkel says. www.ffanation.org

Job Interview Livestock Evaluation

Agronomy

Marketing Plan

Creed Speaking

Meats Evaluation and Technology

Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management An FFA member prepares to pot nursery stock as part of the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event.

Horse Evaluation

Dairy Cattle Handlers Environmental and Natural Resources

Milk Quality and Products Nursery/Landscape Parliamentary Procedure

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Poultry Evaluation

Farm Business Management

Prepared Public Speaking

Floriculture

Veterinary Science

Go online to learn more about each CDE at FFA.org/CDE. For other CDEs specific to your state association, visit your state FFA website or ask your advisor for more information.

FFA New Horizons 19

CDE Livestock Evaluation. Photos by Todd Bennett 20 FFA New Horizons

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From evaluating livestock to conducting science experiments or making mechanical repairs, FFA CDEs all have one element in common – they provide hands-on, real-life experiences for the FFA members who participate in them.

allowed her to feel more confident For some students, the incentive during interview situations. for participating in CDEs may simply “It’s definitely a confidence booster be in getting out of school for a day, to know that you can go out there and but the benefits extend beyond that. do something that others can’t do,” You can be recognized in your local Young says. newspaper, receive Over the past eight monetary prizes or years, Kylen Douglas, plaques, and develop advisor for the strong friendships It’s definitely a Franklin County FFA with your fellow confidence chapter, has watched teammates. booster to know his FFA chapter and Beyond the students evolve from recognition and that you can go receiving good ratings awards, students out there and do to excellent and who participate in superiors.

CDEs gain valuable something that “CDEs improve experience and skills others can’t do the kids’ employability that they can use later skills and confidence in their careers. levels,” Douglas says.

For Rachel Young, “Going into college a senior at Franklin and the workforce, County High School the CDE experience gives students an in Frankfort, Ky., participating in opportunity to be one step ahead in CDEs such as parliamentary procedure confidence and experience, above others and extemporaneous speaking have that didn’t have that opportunity.” not only helped enhance her public speaking skills, but have also – Jennifer Whittle www.ffanation.org

What’s your FFA CDE story?

We want to know about your experiences with FFA career development events. What’s your favorite CDE? Do you plan to try a new one this year? Any embarrassing stories to share?

Go online to ffanation.org/CDE and submit your CDE story. We’ll be featuring all the stories on our website and choosing the best to be published in an upcoming issue of FFA New Horizons magazine.

FFA New Horizons

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FFA national officer Q&A

Get to Know Your National FFA Officers

Jason: Just because our FFA experiences might be coming to an end, that doesn’t mean that we have to be finished doing the things we love. There are so many groups and activities to get involved in where we can use the same skills and passions.

4 22 FFA New Horizons

Alicia: There are plenty of career paths that a person can have skills in, earn good money at, and be recognized for. The most fulfilling path we can ever take is the one that makes us the happiest in the long run. Choose a path you love!

Seth: Simply make a plan.

I took a year away from school after graduating high school before going to college. Two of my best friends enlisted in the military. Whatever your plan, have one.

The number of times Ryan and Jason both had to run through the airport to catch a flight.

Cain: Others will try to tell you what to do after high school, whether it’s a job, college opportunities, military related or something else. Make your own decisions while seeking the counsel of those you trust.

Q

What do you wish you could say to your 15-year-old self?

Ryan: I would say to better appreciate high school and the opportunities I was given there. I would remind

32

myself to never pass up the chance to try something new and step out of my little box as much as possible.

Jason: I would tell myself to invest more time into the relationships around me. That’s what gives our lives a purpose. I would encourage myself to really reach out, strengthen and not take for granted these relationships.

Alicia: Junk food is overrated. A perm could make you look like a cocker spaniel. Don’t spread yourself too thin.

Focus on just a couple of areas and make them worthwhile. Dream beyond next semester.

Know that there are plenty of exciting moments to look forward to in life!

Average number of states each officer visited this year. Ken visited the most with 40 states.

or

Ryan: Some of the best advice I could give would be to start applying for scholarships early. In fact, the earlier you can begin compiling letters of recommendation and your resume, the better.

Ken: There are so many things that we don’t know of and may love.

If something comes up in our current plan, don’t be afraid to throw it all away and try something new.

67

Q

What’s your best advice for members who are planning their lives after high school?

The number of FFA jackets worn during their year.

One of them is just for the national FFA convention and expo.

www.ffanation.org

Seth: Work hard, play hard. I missed a few thousand dollars in scholarships because my GPA was .02 too low!

Work hard during the week, then enjoy the weekend.

High school goes fast.

Ryan Best

national ffa president

Ken: Keep your Jeep Wrangler. Sit down with Grandma and Grandpa more often.

This New Mexico native hopes to become an agricultural education instructor one day.

Cain: Desire things in your life that will last. You have a long road ahead but know that what you do today will affect you years from now. There is something to be learned from every experience.

Jason Troendle

Q

What’s your favorite line or message from your FFA retiring address?

Ryan: Fight the good fight and run the race; why should we listen to this? Not just because Mama said, but because it’s the right thing to do. Because we as a generation have been called to be better. Because we have been called to serve as an example.

Jason: Do not be blind to the brokenness in the world around you. Instead, find the brokenness in the world and begin to restore it. We can truly make our world a better place if we love out loud!

“The most fulfilling path we can ever take is the one that makes us the happiest in the long run.”

Alicia: The moment our heart leads the way is the moment we can finally accept ourselves and make hard choices, bringing to reality the life we dream of. All we really need to know is we have had value since the day we were born.

Seth: In a world with doubts swirling all around us, be motivated, not manipulated. Make changes, not excuses.

Work to excel, not compete. Listen to your own inner voice, not the jumbled opinions of everyone else.

Ken: Once we learn something, we have the responsibility to use it.

Cain: Feel at home and make others feel at home too.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. www.ffanation.org

national ffa secretary

Hailing from Minnesota, Jason’s love for the outdoors and fly-fishing was his first connection to FFA.

Ken Quick

national ffa Eastern Region Vice President

Ken grew up on a dairy farm in New York, where he realized his career goal to work in agribusiness.

Alicia Hodnik

national ffa Central Region Vice President

This Wisconsin native hopes to research aquaculture genetics for her career.

Cain Thurmond

national ffa southern Region Vice President

Cain lives on an Angus beef cattle operation in Georgia, and he is pursuing a career in ag economics.

Seth Pratt

national ffa western Region Vice President

Seth grew up on a cattle ranch in Idaho, and his ultimate career goal is to return home to raise livestock.

FFA New Horizons 23

FFA premier leadership

A Welcoming Spirit Tips for helping others feel included in your group “Make an effort to get to know them.

You’ll be glad you did.”

let everyone speak.

I

f you’ve ever transferred to a new school or joined a team or club for the first time, you probably know how it feels to be an outsider – awkward, embarrassed, maybe even rejected.

On the other hand, when leaders strive to include everyone, the result is a stronger team with a shared vision, defined roles for each individual, and better communication all around.

Including others also largely decreases the potential for bullying.

“When you make sure everyone is included, it signals that you value everyone and not just a select few,” says Jennifer Hancock, author of The Bully Vaccine. “The very act of including everyone reduces bullying because it eliminates the pool of potential victims.”

Start by looking around your FFA chapter. There are likely some

24 FFA New Horizons

members taking an agriculture class for the first time. There may be others who moved from another school and don’t yet feel like part of the group. Make a sincere effort to get to know their needs, desires and reasons for joining.

“View everyone compassionately,” Hancock says. “Everyone you meet has their own story and experiences.

Your job as a leader is to find out what makes them the unique individual they are and what strengths they bring to the team.”

Some tips to help:

Don’t make assumptions.

“If someone is shy, withdrawn or different than everyone else, don’t assume you know why or that you won’t like them,” Hancock says.

“Every group has loud, confident people and shy, quiet people. Create space and invite shy people to give their opinion,” Hancock says. “Just because someone is quiet and observant doesn’t mean they don’t have something to add to your discussion. Some people aren’t willing to compete with others, and they are often the people with the best ideas. They just need to be invited and given the space to comment.”

Acknowledge others’ value.

Consider taking time each meeting to recognize one or two members for the value they bring to your team. Make sure everyone receives recognition at some point.

Laugh together.

Everyone understands the language of laughter, so incorporate good-natured humor to lessen stress levels and create bonding within your chapter. Start a meeting with a funny story, show a relevant comedic video clip, or have an impromptu celebration with food just to thank members for being who they are.

– Jessica Mozo www.ffanation.org

FFA career success

When you go on a job shadow, be prepared and make the most of the professional’s time. Be sure to ask the person you’ll be shadowing some basic questions about what to wear, what materials to bring and what timeframe they can commit to you.

The more prepared you are for the day, the more you’ll learn and gain from the experience.

3. work part time.

Exploring Your Options Try out several careers before you commit to preparing for one

T

he working world may seem like a faraway destination, but it’s never too early to explore career paths, deepen your knowledge and develop your skills.

Maria McGinnis works in career services at the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and assists students in all phases of career development. According to McGinnis, you don’t have to know exactly what you want to do right away.

“Being unsure about your career path is totally normal,” she says. “In fact, it’s good to be open to many careers rather than focused on one.”

A great way to begin thinking about your chosen career path is to experience different types of jobs.

Here are four ways to “try out” careers before you commit to them.

26 FFA New Horizons

1. Volunteer.

Perhaps you’re required to complete a few hours of volunteer work through a class or FFA. Pick a project that will challenge you to learn something new. Whether you love or hate the experience, you’ll learn more about the kind of work that best fits you.

For example, if you are considering a career as a teacher, volunteer at an after-school youth facility. Or if you are inspired by the arts, volunteer with a local museum.

2. Job shadow.

Many professionals are more than happy to spend a couple of hours sharing their insight and experiences. Your local FFA alumni affiliate is a good place to start making these contacts.

Sometimes, you can earn money while learning about a future career.

Potential meat or food scientists can often get part-time jobs at local grocery stores or meat markets, where daily interaction with career professionals can make a major difference. Animal enthusiasts often find work at a veterinarian’s office.

When pursuing a part-time job, make sure it’s something you are ready to commit to. You’ll be treated as part of the team and afforded more opportunities if you can work there for months or years at a time.

Be honest, up front, about the number of hours you can work each week. If it’s not enough time to justify the position, some businesses will still allow you to job shadow or volunteer without pay, just to gain the experience.

4. be an intern or apprentice.

Unlike other part-time jobs, internships and apprenticeships are generally offered for a specific duration of time. Just like your supervised agricultural experience program, they offer hands-on experiences that build upon what you’ve learned in the classroom.

Some internships are paid while others are not. Either way, you’ll have experiences that make the investment of time well worth it.

– Andrea Bloom www.ffanation.org

FFA living to serve

Take the Hunger Pledge Five ways to fight hunger during National FFA Week

N

ational FFA Week gives members an opportunity to showcase the best of their chapters to their schools and communities. Has your chapter thought about harnessing that excitement and air of celebration to help your community – and maybe even the world?

Consider this: the National FFA Organization is determined to make hunger a thing of the past through the Feeding the World–Starting at Home program. As part of this major initiative, FFA introduced the

FFA Pledge to Fight Hunger at the 2012 National FFA Convention & Expo.

“The FFA Pledge to Fight Hunger asks FFA members to make personal and chapter commitments to conduct hunger-fighting efforts over the next year. It’s about sharing the knowledge of what hunger is and looks like in the world, and then helping to fight it in your community,” says Bill Stagg, director of strategic communications for the National FFA Organization.

Here are a few ideas to be a part

of the pledge and incorporate hunger-fighting efforts into your FFA Week activities. Many of these ideas were inspired by chapters that took advantage of the FFA: Food For All grants, which provide funding for conducting sustainable hungerfighting programs.

1. Host a Workshop.

Use your agricultural knowledge to host a workshop on backyard gardening, raising laying hens,

Some FFA chapters fight hunger by teaching students how to grow vegetables from seed. Others have built gardens to use as learning laboratories or to donate the produce to local schools and civic organizations.

28 FFA New Horizons

www.ffanation.org

storing and cooking fresh meat, fruits and vegetables, or other sustainable food practices.

backpacks with food items for foodinsecure students to take home on the weekend.

2. create canned food art.

Participate in the CANstruction Chapter Design Contest. Gather your fellow chapter members to collect canned food items, then design and build a food structure, which should have a theme related to GROW or FFA.

3. Start a Backpack Program.

Give back to your school by bringing your chapter together to fill

www.ffanation.org

FFA New Horizons 29

4. Partner with a Food Bank.

Take a food drive to the next level by offering to help your local food bank with marketing, advertising or any other support projects.

5. Build Container Gardens.

Head to a local elementary or middle school and spend the day building themed container gardens (like pizza or salad) with the students.

This can help promote agricultural literacy, too!

To take the Pledge to Fight Hunger and learn more about the hunger initiative, visit FFA.org/pledge and FFA.org/ hunger. After conducting your events or programs, visit the websites again to share your experience with other members and chapters.

– Hannah Thompson

Take the pledge Visit FFA.org/pledge to take the pledge to fight hunger. By signing up online, you pledge to: • Learn more about the issue of hunger in your community and the world.

• Participate in or host a service event related to hunger by October 2013.

• Educate FFA members, family and friends about hunger and how they can make a difference.

• Update the FFA community on your journey to help fight hunger through the National FFA Pledge to Fight Hunger website.

We encourage you to join this important FFA movement!

Start a canned and pre-packaged food drive, encouraging your local community and other students in the school to join the effort. Be sure to educate them on how their donations can truly make a difference.

30 FFA New Horizons

www.ffanation.org

all about ffa STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP,

MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

FFA News You Can Use Apply for FFA Scholarships

Convention and Expo Continues!

It’s time to put your FFA leadership positions, supervised agricultural experiences and community service projects to use!

Those experiences can help you win cash for college, through the National FFA Organization scholarship program, which awards $2 million each year in scholarships to FFA members and agricultural education students.

Scholarships are sponsored by businesses and individuals through the National FFA Foundation and are given for a wide variety of experiences, career goals and higher education plans.

The online application process started Nov. 15 and is available on FFA.org.

To be the first to know, “like” FFA on Facebook! All scholarship applications will be due Feb. 15. A completed signature form must be postmarked no later than Feb. 22 to complete eligibility.

The final gavel of the 85th National FFA Convention & Expo may have been tapped, but the excitement continues online. Visit FFA.org/convention for video, photos, articles and interviews. You can even download this year’s theme song, “Grow.”

www.ffanation.org

Cruise for Careers Finding information about careers in agriculture is getting easier than ever, thanks to new partnerships with two career-based companies, Career Cruising and AgCareers.com. These partnerships will provide valuable tools and assistance as part of the Agricultural Career Network. You’ll have easy access to career information within selected fields of interest and be able to search for career opportunities by field of study or geographic location.

These enhancements to the AgCN will be available later this winter, so watch for news on FFA.org!

Title of publication: FFA New Horizons Publication number: 1069-806X Date of filing: Sept. 25, 2012 Frequency of issue: Quarterly Number of issues published annually: 4 Annual subscription rate: $12.00 for non-FFA members; $2.25 for FFA members (as part of their $7.00 total national membership dues) 7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: FFA New Horizons, National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960 8. Complete mailing address of the head­quarters of general business offices of the publishers: same 9. Full names and complete mailing address of publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher, Julie Woodard, National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960; Executive Editor, Kim Newsom Holmberg and Managing Editor Jessy Yancey, 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067.

10. Owner: (If owned by a corporation, its name and address must be stated and also immediately thereunder the names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, the names and addresses of the individual owners must be given. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, its name and address as well as that of each individual must be given.

If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, its name and address must be stated.) National FFA Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960 11. Known bondholders, mortgages, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None 12. Not applicable 13. Publication title: FFA New Horizons 14. Fall 2012 15. Extent and nature of circulation

Average no.

of copies each

issue during

preceding 12 months

Actual no. of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date

A. Total number of copies 459,414 408,915 (net press run) B. Paid circulation 1. Mail subscriptions (paid and/or requested)

404,886 323,803 3. Sales through other non-USPS paid distribution

48,088 75,984 C. Total paid and/or requested circulation

452,974 399,787 E. Total free distribution (sum of 15D)

9,036 9,129 F. Total distribution (sum of 15C and 15E)

462,010 408,916 1,106 G. Copies not distributed 19,297 H. Total (sum of 15F and G)

481,307 410,022 I. Percent paid 98% 98% 16. This statement of ownership will be printed in the Winter 2012-13 issue of this publication.

17. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete.

Julie Woodard, National FFA Organization

FFA New Horizons 31

FFA Reconnect

Javier Moreno Puerto Rico alumnus reflects on his FFA experiences and career path

Q

You will forever be known as the first national FFA president from Puerto Rico. What does that mean to you?

A

Name: Javier Moreno Occupation: Assistant manager of corporate communications for Toyota Home FFA Chapter: S.U. Antonia Serrano FFA Chapter in Jayuya, Puerto Rico FFA Member for: Eight years FFA Offices: Chapter reporter, area president, state vice president, national president SAE: Fruit and vegetable production

Although that title makes me a little bit uncomfortable, I am extremely humbled by the opportunity I had to serve FFA as national president. I now have a desire and responsibility to promote inclusion within FFA, so that the organization continues to grow and truly reflect the changing demographics of this great nation.

Q A

What first motivated you to join FFA?

When I was 13, my family moved to Jayuya, a small town in the mountains of Puerto Rico, where agriculture was the primary way of life. Being in FFA was considered cool! After successfully competing in career development events like public speaking, parliamentary procedure, poultry and horticulture, I knew FFA was for me.

Q A

Tell us about Puerto Rico FFA. What makes that association unique?

I am so proud to have been a member of Puerto Rico FFA. Although it is a relatively small association, the people of Puerto Rico have really big hearts. If you ever get to visit the island, don’t be

32 FFA New Horizons

surprised when you quickly become part of the “familia.” The Latin beats of salsa and merengue, the rich smells of bananas and fresh mangoes, the well-seasoned local cuisine and the hospitality of its people will most definitely guarantee that you fall in love with the island.

They don’t call it “The Island of Enchantment” for nothing!

Q

You are now employed by a major FFA sponsor. Was that important to you in your career – to find an employer who also has an appreciation for the FFA program?

A

Absolutely! In fact, FFA led me to Toyota. The two organizations have a lot more in common than I would have ever thought. For instance, Toyota’s core values are “respect for people” and “kaizen,” which is the Japanese word for continuous improvement. I learned about the importance of both these qualities as an FFA Greenhand.

Q A

How did FFA prepare you for your career?

In my job with Toyota, I serve as a national spokesperson for the brand. I also help coordinate communications efforts across Toyota’s North American affiliates. More recently, I’ve been involved in the development and execution of Toyota’ social media strategy, which has been a lot of fun! Not only did FFA help me develop my communications skills, it also taught me that hard work, determination and perseverance always pay off in some way! www.ffanation.org

flip through our

state

inserts!

FFA New Horizons state inserts keep YOU connected to what’s going on in your state or others.

• State FFA news and achievements • FFA member profiles • Career information • Meet state FFA officers

To learn about creating a state insert for your FFA association, contact Kim Newsom at knewsom@jnlcom.com.

Illinois ffa association Winter 2012-13

PAGE

Growing Legacies

D

Meet Your 2012-2013 State Vice President

Check out our

website

C

H

www.illinoisffa.org

Table of Contents

Page E – National Convention

Page B – ICCCTSO & Illinois Products

Page f – Chapter Visits

Page C – Illinois State Fair

Page G – “Growing Her Legacy”

Page D – Meet Your Vice President

Page H – Officers’ Tracks

Illinois – A

ICCCTSO & Illinois Products

ICCCTSO Conference On August 5-7, 13 section presidents and Joel Limestall (State FFA Secretary) attended the ICCCTSO Conference (Illinois Career and Technical Student Organizations). These FFA members gained many leadership and communication skills at this conference. They were in attendance along with members from the other Career and Technical Student Organizations. A huge thank you to the Illinois State Board of Education for sponsoring this conference each year!

Illinois Products This year, the Illinois FFA has partnered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to support their new campaign, “Illinois Products”. Through this partnership, the officer team is promoting and encouraging families to spend $10 of their grocery budget each week on Illinois-made products. The majors, section officer teams, and chapter members attended the unveilings of the new logo for “Illinois Products” this fall.

Cream of the Crop Now announcing your Illinois National Officer Candidate! Clayton Carley served as the 2011-2012 Illinois Association FFA Treasurer and is currently duel enrolled at Parkland College and the U of I double majoring in Agronomy and Agricultural Education with a double minor in Chemistry and Business. He was a member of the Crescent Iroquois FFA chapter until the chapter closed, and he spent one year as a member of the Cissna Park FFA chapter. At the National FFA Convention in October, Clayton will go through a challenging interview and evaluation process that is conducted by the national nominating committee.

Best of luck, Clayton!

B – Illinois

Illinois State Fair

Illinois State Fair FFA Barnyard – The FFA Barnyard was once again busy this year at the Illinois State Fair. The five major state officers and 25 section presidents managed the FFA barnyard. They got to look after pigs, a calf, sheep, and goats along with spending their time holding rabbits, chicks and ducks. Thousands of people visited the FFA Barnyard throughout the fair to see the animals and learn about Illinois agriculture!

DuQuoin State Fair On Friday August 24, Darren, Dalton, Courtney and Joel traveled to DuQuoin for the DuQuoin State Fair parade. They drove the FFA “e-car” in the parade with many of the section and chapter officer teams from the area. After the parade, Joel and Courtney stayed in southern Illinois for Farmyard Follies on Monday, August 27. Many chapters from the southern Illinois sections attended the Ag Olympic events such as tug-of-war, backseat driver, shovel race, water balloon catch, hay bale toss and hay bale stacking!

Courtney, Joel and the members had a great time competing!

Excellence in Teaching Congratulations to Mrs. Betsy Pech of the Hartsburg-Emden FFA Chapter, the 2012 Excellence in Teaching State Winner!

District I Trish Main, Galva

Sale of Champions

District II Diane Loschen, Tri-Point

District III The Sale of Champions was held on August 14, Betsy Pech, Hartsburg-Emden which was Agriculture Day at the state fair.

The Grand Champion of each species along District IV with the Land of Lincoln stock was sold, and Wm. Lee Meteer, Taylorville the Illinois Foundation FFA received District V 10 percent of the sale. Congratulations to Mark Steber, Olney all of the winners!

Illinois – C

Meet Your State Vice President Dalton Heavner

Passion. Goals. Pride. These three words have a deep meaning and hold great importance for most FFA members, and I am no exception. My love of production agriculture and commitment to it started like it did for many of you; both of my parents were raised on a farm, and I spent much of my childhood visiting my grandparents, riding on tractors and being around livestock. When I was 8, my parents, brothers and I moved back to Pike County and onto the farm. With that, everything changed. We bought five bred heifers, and a new obsession began. We began spending our family time traveling from sale to sale looking at cattle and searching for just the right heifer. Each sale catalog that came in the mail was filled with possibility, and I carried them with me everywhere I went. My dad let me select my own breeding stock, and my passion for raising cattle and production agriculture was born. Through the years of raising cattle, I have learned the importance of hard work, responsibility and what it takes to achieve a goal.

The sense of pride we all feel when we are recognized for our hardwork is something to which I know many FFA members can relate.

What is different for me is how my experience in FFA started. You see, it

D – Illinois

was the spring of my eighth grade year, and my mother had a question for me.

That question was if she should apply for the job as the agriculture teacher at my school. Their Ag teacher was leaving, and the spot needed to be filled. I had already planned on enrolling in Ag class, but I didn’t know if I wanted my mom to be my teacher. So I sat on this question for a couple of days. After much thought, I told her that was fine, it was her life, not mine. Now that I look back on it, that moment when I told her to apply for the job is one of the decisions that has changed my life the most.

The passion and pride that she had in the chapter was contagious from the beginning. She had goals that she wanted the chapter to meet. She shared these goals with the students; it was their organization, and they needed to get the ball rolling. I was lucky enough to be a freshman, and this meant that we were the first class of students she would have in her first four years there. Our chapter has worked together as “one big dysfunctional family” to meet these goals. We all have a sense of ownership in our chapter and take great pride in what happens there and in all that our students achieve. From State Degrees to Proficiency Award winners, having our chapter be named a Gold Emblem National Chapter Award winner and, most importantly, educating students about this amazing industry, our goals were high, and the students rose to the challenge. Working as a team toward these goals is what led me to where I am today.

As we all worked toward these

goals, I was beginning to see why people are so passionate about the FFA and what it can do for students. I watched it change kids and always for the better. Whether it was their people skills or even their class work, this organization was changing my high school right before my eyes. Those goals that seemed so small in the beginning now began to make sense.

You see goals are a major part of life; we should all have goals in our life that we write down somewhere. Some of you who are reading this will have written down some goals during chapter visits. If you didn’t get the chance, I urge to write down your goals on an index card and keep those goals somewhere you will see them every day. If you reach one, set another goal to replace it to build on what you have reached. Take pride in those accomplishments, and move to the next goal.

Work with passion to achieve your goals. Be proud of this organization, what it can do for its members and what we can do to serve others.

As I continue my year of service to you, the members of Illinois FFA, I look forward to meeting you and watching you work with passion to achieve your goals. Take pride in our organization, and do your best to serve and be an inspiration to those around you. Whether your goals involve the FFA or not, write them down, remember them and review them, because they can and will make a difference your life, and maybe even if the life of someone else.

– Dalton Heavner 2012-2013 Illinois FFA Vice President

National Convention

American Star Farmer Finalist Good luck to Clayton Carley as he competes as one of four finalists for the American Star Farmer Award at National Convention! This star award recognize a student who has developed outstanding agricultural skills and competency through his/her career development programs; demonstrated outstanding management skills; earned the American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest level of accomplishment; and met other agricultural education, scholarship and leadership requirements.

Each star finalist receives $2,000 from National FFA and earns the opportunity to participate in an international experience tour to Costa Rica. A panel of judges will interview the finalists and select one winner for each award at the 85th National FFA Convention, October 24-27, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Winners will receive an additional $2,000 award.

The American FFA Degree recognition programs and tours to Costa Rica are co-sponsored by Alltech Inc. of Nicholasville, Kentucky; Case IH of Racine, Wisconsin; Farm Credit of Greenwood Village, Colorado; Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business of Des Moines, Iowa; and Syngenta of Greensboro, North Carolina, as a special project of the National FFA. Stars Over America, a special audiovisual presentation featuring the star award winners, is produced by Alltech Inc. as a special project of the National FFA.

The Top in Their Field: National Proficiency Finalists Congratulations to all the FFA members who represented Illinois FFA in the National Proficiency Awards Selection this summer. Eight Illinois FFA members were selected as National Finalists and will be moving on to interviews at the National FFA Convention in October!

Agricultural Sales (Ent) Austin Granby Seneca FFA Chapter

Agricultural Services Nick Briscoe Seneca FFA Chapter

Diversified Horticulture Samuel Cottrell Eureka FFA Chapter

Emerging Ag Technology Zach Ferrie Heyworth FFA Chapter

Food Science & Technology Angelica Lee CHSAS FFA Chapter

Grain Production (Ent) Tyler Pokojski Christ Our Rock FFA Chapter

Specialty Crop Production Rachel Noe Metamora FFA Chapter

Vegetable Production Mary Happ Heritage FFA Chapter

National Convention FFA members will be flooding the streets of Indianapolis, Indiana, once again this fall for the National FFA Convention.

The five majors along with eight section presidents will serve as delegates for the Illinois FFA this year. At the national convention, FFA members have the opportunity to attend business sessions and workshops along with socializing with the more than 50,000 FFA members! This is a great time to show off the Illinois FFA “Legacy” at the national level.

Illinois – E

Chapter Visits

During September and October, Darren, Dalton, Courtney, Joel and Tyson have been traveling throughout the state for chapter visits. Chapter visits gives each chapter in Illinois the opportunity to visit with state officers and begin growing their legacy in the Illinois FFA. This workshop is directed towards Greenhand (first-year) FFA members. During the visits, the students took part in leadership games and activities while gaining knowledge about FFA and agricultural education. The officers also had the opportunity to deliver keynote addresses and workshops during Section Leadership Training Schools during their chapter visit weeks. The five majors had a blast over these past two months helping Illinois agriculture education students and FFA members “Grow Their Legacies”!

F – Illinois

Growing Her Legacy Ellen Reeder, 2009-2010 Illinois FFA State Reporter University of Illinois Agricultural Communications student receives 2012 Forrest Bassford Student Award.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (August 6, 2012) – Ellen Reeder, a junior agricultural communications student at the University of Illinois, was awarded the 2012 Forrest Bassford Student Award and scholarship during the Ag Media Summit (AMS) held in Albuquerque, N.M., August 4-8.

After being named the award winner, Reeder says, “This is going to take awhile to sink in. I am incredibly honored to be chosen to join so many outstanding agricultural communicators on this stage.”

Reeder hails from Little York, Ill. She is an active member of the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) where she currently serves as vice president. She also serves as the ACES Student Council reporter, Student Advancement Committee philanthropy chair, ExplorACES co-chair, and Student Alumni Ambassadors publicity co-chair.

Reeder is currently a media relations intern for John Deere in Olathe, Kan. Previously, she was a marketing intern for Crop Production Services, a marketing intern for the ACES Office of Advancement, and a press intern for the Illinois State Fair Junior Department. This fall she will be an intern for the College of ACES Communications and Marketing Department.

“My passion for agriculture started at a young age while growing up on my family’s grain and swine farm, and my

communications skills began in 4-H and FFA. I have been so blessed to have opportunities to develop my skills, build my knowledge, and experience different facets of the agricultural industry through coursework at the University of Illinois, internships and involvement in professional organizations,” Reeder says.

She has a great interest in the relationship between farmers, consumers and agricultural companies. Reeder is eager to enter agricultural communications at a time when the industry is working harder than ever to feed the growing population and innovative ideas are rising to the forefront. She says, “I have the attributes needed to accept and meet the challenges as agriculture changes, and look forward to making contributions to the industry.”

Reeder is the daughter of Janet and Richard Gillen and the late Daniel Reeder of Monmouth, Ill. She is so fortunate for her strong roots in production agriculture and attributes her success to the lessons she learned growing up on the farm with an understanding for the value of hard work.

Reeder’s ACT advisors are Jennifer Shike, Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of ACES, and Dr. Katie Abrams, Assistant Professor and Interim Director of agricultural communications at the University of Illinois.

The Forrest Bassford Award was named after the LPC founding member in 1991. LPC is a professional improvement organization with more than 200 members from across the United States. LPC was founded in 1974, and this is the 27th year for the Student Award Program.

Illinois – G

Officers’ Tracks

NLCSO The five majors attended the National Leadership Conference for State Officers on July 3-6 in Springfield, Ill. This conference was facilitated by two National FFA staff members and National FFA Vice President, Ken Quick, Jr. The officers were in attendance with the state officers from Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri.

GROWMARK Annual Meeting Darren, Courtney and Tyson along with Mr. Dry attended the GROWMARK Annual Meeting on August 30-31. While they were there, they met with the GROWMARK board of directors and employees from the region.

They also had the opportunity to meet up with other state officers from Wisconsin, Iowa and Ontario cooperative representatives.

FFA Night at the Corn Crib Dalton and Joel attended the Bloomington Cornbelters baseball game on August 31. They had the privilege of throwing out the first pitches at the game. They had a great time spending time with the chapters that attended the games as well during the game. Even though the weather brought some rain, the boys and all members who attended had a great time!

STAR Conferences

September State Meeting

Reporter Workshops

Darren, Dalton, Courtney, Joel and Tyson facilitated the Section Team Activities and Responsibilities Conference in each district during the first week of September. The section officer teams began “growing their legacies” as a team during the one-day conference as they discussed ideas for Leadership Training School, discovered team talents and strengths, and brainstormed ideas for membership recruitment and retention to prepare them for their year of service!

The third Illinois Association FFA State Officer meeting was held September 7-8.

A huge thank you to Farm Credit Services of Illinois for sponsoring the Friday meeting and providing a facility to conduct the meeting at the Farm Credit Services building in Mahomet, Ill. Thank you, also, to the U of I College of ACES for sponsoring the hotel rooms for Friday night and the meeting on Saturday. The Saturday meeting was also held at the ACES Library on the U of I campus. The team discussed Illinois’ stance on the National Convention committee issues and other upcoming events. It was nice for the whole team to catch up with one another before chapter visits went full throttle!

After the state fair concluded, Courtney was very busy coordinating and planning Reporter Workshops. Throughout the month of September, Courtney was busy facilitating seven Reporter’s Workshops around the state for chapter and section reporters. The reporters learned techniques for taking pictures, creating a newsletter, media and communication skills, and they also gained new ideas from other reporters.

Overall, the workshops went very well, and it was a great learning experience for everyone to be better able to “Ag-vocate for the FFA”!

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oklahoma outlook

Winter 2012

How to serve your country and help pay for college ...at the same time

John-Kyle Truitt is a former Oklahoma FFA State Officer. When he was a sophomore at OSU, he enlisted in the Army Reserves. As a result, he was able to defray about half of his total expenses for college. Here’s his story, beginning with his high school years: Throughout high school at Jenks, I was involved in the FFA. My sophomore year, I was a chapter reporter. Then my junior year I was chapter vice president and senior year I was chapter president. I always competed in public speaking and parliamentary procedure.

Sophomore year, I went to nationals with the job interview career development event. Junior year, our parliamentary procedure team went to nationals. Senior year, I won the natural resource division in speech and placed third in Ag policy. That was the same year I was running for state office.

John-Kyle ran for state reporter. That became a turning point in his life because, as much as he loved FFA, he was also very much interested in the military. During his junior year he had applied for nomination to the prestigious West Point Military Academy, which he received a year later, at the same time he was running for State Reporter.

I had my nomination to West Point and I had the opportunity to run for state office, and I was doing both. The plan was, if I didn’t get state office, I would accept my West Point nomination. If I did get state office, I’d decline my West Point nomination and go to Oklahoma State and do the state office. That’s what happened. I won state reporter, so I declined my West Point nomination and went to Oklahoma State.

John-Kyle could still have gone to West Point after one year at OSU, but he decided to run for state president, which he did not

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win, and by the time the state convention that year was over, it was too late for the West Point application process. However, he still had a desire to do something with the military, so he enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2008, his sophomore year at Oklahoma State. During the second semester of that year and the following summer, he did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and advanced training, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

I got back in July of that summer. So I loaded up my hours and took 24 hours the next semester. Did that and got caught back up.

Went ahead and graduated on time with my class at Oklahoma State.

How did your decision to join the military impact how you paid for college?

It took care of about half of my expenses at Oklahoma State. The other half, I would work while I was in school and also during the summers; I would work and supplement it with that.

In your case, joining the military and the educational assistance you got from that really didn’t make the difference between going to school and not going to school. The difference it (Continued on Page H)

You can read an extended version of our interview with John-Kyle at www.okffa.org.

Meet Your Kaylen Baker

People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed ONLY if there is a light from within. – Elizabeth Kubler Ross This has been one of my favorite quotes since the day I found it and used it in my 9th Grade FFA Opportunities speech five years ago. Just think about what it means. So many times in our lives we put on a show for those around us. We do great deeds, help people out and speak positively and eloquently in the hopes of impressing others.

But what happens when we think no one is watching?

More often than not, we get into a slump and stop trying. We no longer care about those around us and begin thinking only about ourselves.

This is where the third line in the FFA motto, “living to

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State Reporter

serve,” rings true. FFA has taught me that to be a truly beautiful person you have to shine even when you think no one is watching or cares. And I believe God is always watching.

This organization has created some of the most beautiful people inside and out because they have learned the meaning of living to serve. FFA members, I challenge you to greet each day with open arms and make it your goal to positively touch someone’s life, even if you think no one is watching. Just a simple “hello” or “how are you” has the power to turn someone’s day around.

When you embody this attitude, you become a truly beautiful person.

When you embody this attitude, you realize what living to serve is really all about.

And when you embody this attitude, you truly do carry the FFA spirit in your heart.

Kaylen has a freckle on her knee in the shape of a heart.

State Officers Kyle Hilbert

NE District Vice-President

There’s just something great about receiving encouragement from others. It encourages you to keep pressing on to achieve your dreams. What about when people aren’t so encouraging, however?

One day, a student came up to the great philosopher, Socrates, hoping to bring him some news. “Socrates, I have just heard news about one of your friends.”

“Before you tell me this news,” Socrates replied, “we need to make sure that it passes the triple filter test.”

“What are these filters?” the student asked.

“The first filter is the filter of truth. Tell me, do you know that what you’re going to tell me is definitely true?” Socrates asked.

Upon pondering his story, the student responded, “I didn’t actually see this myself, someone else told me about it. So I guess I’m not 100 percent sure that it’s true.”

“The next filter is that of goodness,” Socrates continued, “Is this news good news?”

“Actually, it’s quite the opposite…”

Socrates interrupted the man, “So what you’re going to tell me is neither true, nor good?”

The man was slightly embarrassed and shrugged his shoulders.

Socrates continued, “There is one final test, which is usefulness. Is what you’re about to tell me going to be useful?”

“No, not really,” the student replied.

“Well, if you’re going to tell me something that’s not true, good or useful, then why tell me at all?” responded the philosopher.

Just as these words were true in Socrates’ time, they’re true for us. Stop gossiping about others. Instead, share things that are true, good and useful. After all, wouldn’t you want others to do the same for you?

You can’t control what others are going to do, but you can control what you are going to do.

Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. – James 3:4-5 (ESV)

Kyle had never even seen a pig until the day he owned two of them.

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Meet Your Annie Jo Gilbert Central District Vice-President Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

FFA members, I based my entire FFA career on this one quote. You see, the Choctaw FFA chapter has not always been well-known. When I told someone I was from Choctaw High School, most of the time I would get this reaction: “Choctaw has an FFA chapter?”

Yes, we do!

I set a goal my freshman year to put Choctaw FFA on the map. And I’m proud to say that during my very fast four years as a high school FFA member, our program jumped from 34 to 105 members. That may not seem like a lot to you, but from my point of view, we blossomed!

We were told as high school freshmen that the Choctaw FFA chapter had the potential to be a great one.

If we were willing to set lofty goals and face the challenges and obstacles that lay ahead, we could successfully reach the top.

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Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to come from a large school with such a small FFA chapter.

FFA members, I’m here to tell you that NOTHING is impossible. The word itself says “I’m possible.” There are so many obstacles that can get in the way and blur your vision.

But as long as everyone remembers the common goal, anything can be accomplished.

You may be a big fish in a little pond or a little fish in a big pond. It doesn’t matter. We all have a purpose in life.

Everyone’s purpose will be different. Be proud of who you are and never forget where you came from. I certainly won’t.

Having the opportunity to serve the Oklahoma FFA Association this year is one of the most life-changing and humbling opportunities I have ever experienced. So many of you have inspired me. You have made a positive impact on my life that I will not soon forget. And just think, if you can inspire someone like me, imagine what you can do for so many others.

FFA members, I encourage you to not go where the path leads. Blaze a new red dirt trail and set it on fire!

Annie Jo’s absolute FAVORITE color? Orange, of course.

State Officers Brandon Baumgarten State President

Refuse to be average. Instead, let your heart soar as high as it will. – A.W. Tozer Average, it’s a word that we use all the time.

For instance, did you know the average American will watch nine years of television in his or her lifetime? And did you know the average person will see a need every day and never respond to it? Indeed, the word average has become a very popular term. If you were to look up the definition of average you would see the words ordinary, mediocre and satisfactory and even a math reference.

Leadership isn’t always popular. We weren’t meant to be average leaders; we were meant to be significant leaders. You might ask, “Brandon, how can I be a significant leader?” Significant leaders go against the odds; they become motivated to do great things, and they achieve them with excellence.

Some may say significant leaders are the ones who have the most plaques, trophies, fame, titles and awards. These things don’t define great leadership, however. Plaques collect dust, but purpose creates passion. Don’t settle for mediocrity, but rather, strive for significance.

The world recently watched the 2012 Olympics in London. During this awesome

event, athletes from around the globe came to achieve significance in their chosen sports. These athletes were far from average. They were the best, and they aimed to prove it.

What amazed me was the number of participants who had received silver or bronze medals at previous Olympic games, but never gold. They could have been satisfied with what they had already achieved, but instead they believed in going for the gold.

FFA members, when you put on your jacket, I challenge you to go for the gold, to go above and beyond the status quo. Don’t be motivated by the pat on the back, but instead be motivated by the difference you can make. Let your heart continue to soar with ambition, passion, service and excellence.

I believe that when you refuse to be average, you will experience true significance in your life.

Brandon started singing and writing songs when he was only eight years old.

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2012 FFA National Chapter Awards Anyone Can Judge

Cushing FFA

FFA Farmers’ Market

Vinita FFA

Stand for the Silent

Coalgate FFA

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Because of their interest in food origin and sustainability and their desire to contribute to their local community, Vinita FFA members came up with the idea for a Farmer’s Market that could address those issues and generate income for members’ SAE projects. The goal was to host a weekly market that would run through the summer months and into the fall. The chapter researched licensing through the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and USDA and secured all necessary licenses. They also joined the Vinita Chamber of Commerce in order to secure status with the Oklahoma Grown program.

The first markets began in the fall of 2011 with chapter members selling eggs, late produce, pumpkins, pansies, cornstalks and mums, along with homemade breads, rolls,

The goal of Coalgate FFA’s Healthy Lifestyle activity was to educate Coalgate high school students about the devastating effects of bullying and get them to take a stand against bullying in public schools.

Their objectives were to produce an all school assembly about bullying, have 85% of the students attend the assembly, and get 70% of them to sign an anti-bullying pledge sign.

In August the FFA officers met with school administrators and Student Council members to make plans to have the program at the end of September. They also made arrangements for the Stand for the Silent organization to come to Coalgate for the program Chapter members stayed after school for two afternoons to make 10 signs that demonstrated the different kinds of

Oklahoma has 34 National Three Star Chapters this year.

Recognizing FFA chapters that successfully complete a Program of Activities encouraging members to grow as individuals, work as part of a team, and serve others, Oklahoma submitted 36 applications. Here are three of the best.

People of all ages got to try their hand at judging livestock during Cushing FFA’s adult/student livestock judging contest on February 17, 2012. As a way of acquainting chapter members with community leaders, FFA members were teamed with adults from their support group to judge one class each of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep and swine.

In some cases, the adults were not skilled in livestock selection, and this gave chapter members a chance to educate them. Once the student and adult were paired up, they stayed together and consulted each other on the proper placing of the animals.

Prizes were awarded to the best and the worst pair of judges. The top pair of participants in the contest turned

in a perfect score. The low score was made by a team trying to do poorly, and their plan worked!

A chili cook-off added another activity to the night, providing 19 crock-pots of chili for the group at minimal expense. The FFA chapter provided awards to the top three chefs.

One of the goals of this activity was to acquaint chapter members with leaders in their community, including at least one state legislator, one school administrator and one faculty member, and a total of five employees from small businesses in Cushing. That goal was exceeded as a total of 10 business employees attended, along with State Representative Lee Denney and the principal and two faculty members from the high school.

pies and cakes. Blue and Gold products were also available for sale.

The 2012 season started in April with, among other items, bedding plants and vegetable plants grown by FFA members in the chapter greenhouse. Due to the drought this summer and the resulting lack of chapter grown produce, the market had to be closed temporarily, but it opened again in the fall.

The Vinita FFA Farmers’ Market is good for the community, good for the chapter members and a great public relations tool that helps educate students about the world of business. Vinita FFA members learned that partnerships with community members benefit their SAE project production and help promote Vinita’s economy.

abuse that students endure by bullies, as well as a pledge sign that would be available for students to sign before and after the assembly.

All the hard work paid off as 96% of the high school students attended the assembly and almost all of them signed the Stand for the Silent pledge poster.

During the assembly, the Stand for the Silent organization presented an emotional demonstration of how bullying has affected families. The head of the organization was the father of a young man who was bullied and, following years of abuse, took his own life. With programs like Stand for the Silent, students learn to stand up for one another and to not allow this kind of behavior to be tolerated in our schools.

That’s the most Three Star Chapters that we have ever received in a single year.

It is also the most Three Star Chapters of any state in the nation.

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The Military Option for College Tuition (Continued from Page A)

made is how much debt you had when you got out. Do you think for some people it might actually be, ‘If I do this, I can go to college. If I don’t, I can’t.’ Does it work for people in that situation as well?

Certainly. There are plenty of schools where you can go get a four year degree and what is allotted by the military, what your benefits are, will cover everything - housing, books, tuition, fees, everything. I’ve had several friends who didn’t have to pay a dime because of the school they chose. It’s definitely possible.

And then, when you finish college, you’re going to be in the military for a certain amount of time.

Right. What I signed was an eight-year contract; six years active reserve, two years inactive ready reserve. So six years, you’re doing your minimum of one weekend a month, two weeks in the summer and you’re on active reserve. If there is deployment, if they need you, they call you up. The two years following that is inactive ready reserve; if they need you, they can call you back up and say, ‘Hey, we’re putting you back on active duty for this deployment.’

This path that you chose, is that a path that’s available to lots of students or were you unique in some way that made this especially appealing to you?

It’s definitely available to whoever wants to look into it.

And just to clarify, it’s not just guys who can do this.

Right. The majority of the jobs are available to men and women.

So for that student out there, boy or girl, who is in high school, thinking they’d like to go to college, but not sure how they can afford it … the military might be a good option for some of them. Is it going to be a good option for everybody or is there a certain person for whom it’s really going to work?

Just like anything, the same shoe doesn’t fit everybody.

I think if you’re looking at it just to finance school, you

need to take a deeper look at what you will be doing and what’s going to be asked of you. You’re committing to go overseas and do your job, do what they trained you to do.

I would encourage people to look into it and make sure they understand. Go to some people who have taken the same route you’re looking at taking. Ask them before you go down and talk with the recruiter.

And if it does seem like the right thing to do, what steps should they take to start the ball rolling?

You first need to decide if you want to do it through ROTC or through enlistment. There will be benefits and disadvantages to both. If it’s something you think you’ll do long term, something you’re looking at doing as maybe a career, ROTC is probably the way to go.

From that, start looking into the different areas of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, whatever service you’re looking at, there are jobs in each one of them.

Explore your strengths and weaknesses and say, ‘Okay, this is me, where do I fit in this organization?’ From that, go into the recruiter with an idea of what you want to do.

How did your FFA experience benefit you in the military?

It certainly was a positive thing. The public speaking ability is a benefit. How you present yourself is a lot of times how people judge you. If you present yourself professionally, present yourself as a competent person, that’s a big plus, especially in the military. They’re looking for leaders and they do a good job of finding them and grooming them.

In several of my training schools within the military I have been chosen as the honor graduate. I accredit that in huge part to the FFA because you’re going in front of boards, in front of a lot of brass, if you will, and it’s definitely how you hold yourself, how you present yourself, how you answer questions. If it hadn’t been for the FFA and the training I got there, I think it would have been a different story. If you allow yourself to be shaped and taught, it can really refine you and by the time you graduate high school, you’re at a professional level that very, very few high school students are.

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John-Kyle and his wife, Amy, a former Oklahoma FFA State President, live in Yukon.