Career Academy’s FFA program a ‘career changer’ for local students

By Gabriel Stovall gstovall@covnews.com

For Dr. Marcus Pollard, it’s music to his ears and a sight for sore eyes to hear and see more high school students expressing interest in the Newton Career Academy’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.

It means that students are beginning to understand, at a younger age, the connection between health, wellness and a strong agricultural presence in a growing community.

For Anna Bailey, her involvement started out as just a filler class to help her get through her junior year. Now, the 17-year old senior at the NCCA has found a new love in all things agriculture.

Her testimony isn’t unique, though. In fact, Bailey was one of four students in the NCCA’s FFA program who recently shared with the local Kiwanis Club how much of an impact being involved in agricultural studies has had on their lives.

“When I came in as a junior,

I’d never been in an Ag class before, until I got into the Career Academy,” Bailey said.

“They offered it just as sort of a basic class, but my teacher, Dr. Gunner, got me super involved in everything, and I just began to love it.”

So much so that she easily transitioned from regular class member to an active participant who wanted more from the program.

“I actually ended up showing a pig last year with our livestock team, and now I’m also taking veterinarian science as a main path along with animal science and Ag mechanics,” Bailey said.

Andrew Pitchford, 18, is the NCCA’s FFA president. And for him, the program has helped him begin to carve a path for a future career.

“Senior year’s been the best so far,” Pitchford said. “All of it is hands on and you get a lot of opportunities. Like, I’m especially