Dominic Araujo-Woodward (third from the left) with his officer team.
Dominic Araujo-Woodward walked into his first Fort Morgan FFA meeting in Colorado with no agricultural background, no connections and absolutely no idea what to expect. The room was loud and lively — members were laughing, catching up with friends and diving into activities. Meanwhile, Araujo-Woodward paused at the doorway, unsure if he was supposed to be there or if he would ever fit into a place like this. What he didn’t know then was that stepping into that room would become the best thing that happened to him.
“It was my sophomore year, and the meeting was an ice cream social,” Araujo-Woodward says. “As I walked in, I told myself, ‘I need to be a part of this.’” At first glance, the event seemed simple enough — just students, ice cream and small games — but something about the atmosphere struck him. There was a sense of community in that room, and a sense of belonging he had never experienced in school before.
Originally, Araujo-Woodward joined his Colorado FFA chapter just to see what everyone was talking about. Many of his peers constantly mentioned FFA activities, and it seemed like the organization played a huge role in student life. But what closed the deal was the chance to attend the National FFA Convention & Expo later that year. Walking into a massive arena filled with tens of thousands of FFA members wearing the same iconic blue corduroy jacket, Araujo-Woodward felt something he had never felt before: pride, excitement and a deep sense of connection.
“Seeing so many people from different places made me realize how big FFA really is,” he says. “The energy, the people, the atmosphere. I knew right then that I absolutely needed to be part of this organization.”
The experience opened his eyes to a world much larger than his hometown, and sparked something inside him that he hadn’t known he was missing. As Araujo-Woodward became more dedicated to the organization, he also became aware of his role within it. Coming from a non-agricultural background, he understood how intimidating FFA could be for someone who didn’t grow up around farming or livestock. Because of that, he wanted to be a leader who made others feel safe, welcomed and included.
“I wanted to be someone people could talk to,” he says. “Someone who made others feel like they belonged, just like FFA made me feel.”
Motivated by this goal, Araujo-Woodward applied for chapter office and, later, for district office positions. When he didn’t get selected, it felt like a punch to the gut. He had worked hard and genuinely believed he could make a difference. “It broke my heart at first,” he says.
But as time passed, he realized that those rejections were not failures; they were growth opportunities. They pushed him to improve, to keep going and to prove to himself that he was capable of more than he thought. Araujo-Woodward credits two major supporters during this time: his mom and his agriculture teacher, Greg Ditter.
“They saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it in myself,” he says. “My mom has always pushed me to be better, and Mr. Ditter constantly encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone.”
Whether it was encouraging him to talk to new people or helping him navigate setbacks, both of them played a huge role in shaping who he is today. During his senior year, he has served as chapter secretary.
Through FFA, Araujo-Woodward learned lessons he never expected: communication, professionalism, leadership and how to build real connections. “I’ve met some of my best friends through FFA,” he says with a smile. “I want to keep those friendships for the rest of my life.”
But above anything else, Araujo-Woodward says the most meaningful lesson FFA taught him is to always stay true to yourself. “The best version of you is you,” he says. “Don’t be afraid to make friends. Always show up for yourself. And never give up on the dreams you truly want to accomplish.”
There is one quote Araujo-Woodward hopes everyone carries with them: “Don’t let the world tell you who you are.” Because for Araujo-Woodward, joining FFA wasn’t just joining a club; it was discovering who he was meant to become.
