Doing to Learn: The Impactful Service That Sparked the Smiles
The Refuge Roundup was a day filled with involvement, servant leadership and connection for Forest-Scott FFA.
Being a member in the National FFA Organization means stepping into a community full of a welcoming love, and the Forest-Scott FFA Chapter in Mississippi is a true representation of how this organization is full of servant leaders. On Feb. 27, 2026, the Forest-Scott FFA Chapter traveled to Philadelphia, Miss., to help out at the annual Refuge Roundup. The Refuge Roundup is a community event developed with special needs in mind. This event brings a joyful day with horseback riding, soccer, bingo and more engaging activities. For Forest-Scott FFA, this event was not just another community project, but a connection to part of the FFA motto: Doing to Learn.
Forest-Scott FFA members and Refuge Roundup volunteers assisting special needs community members with horse riding.
Smiles That Serve
Members helped throughout the day by assisting disabled attendees with horse riding and games. They made sure everyone was comfortable and having an enjoyable experience. The games and fun activities were not what made this event memorable to everyone; it was the impact made unto others which everyone cherished the most. The interactions such as smiles shared, laughter filling the arena, and core memories being made for the guests are what the FFA members appreciated the most. Knowing that they were a part of creating this pure happiness reminded them to live in the moment. Learning to serve with patience and doing unto others with kindness.
Forest-Scott FFA members helping out with bean bag toss, soccer and other activities to engage Refuge Roundup guests.
From a Shy Start to a New Perspective
Moreover, before attending the event, many students admitted to being a bit nervous. Interacting with a room full of people seemed intimidating. Once they arrived and started to help out, they realized that this was something bigger than themselves and meaningful, which filled the members with gratitude.
For Forest-Scott FFA Officer and third year volunteer Lizbeth Rojas, the Refuge Roundup is an event she looks forward to each year; however, she was one of the officers that admitted to being a bit nervous.
Rojas recalls, “When I first attended, I was scared mainly because I’m not quite sociable and was nervous to interact with lots of people but by the end of the day, I had a lot of new good memories, and it quickly became the thing I looked forward to going to each year.”
After becoming a part of this gathering and being a light unto others, she has learned that meaningful moments do not have to be elaborate, even the simplest interactions can be the most meaningful. These small seeds can be used to plant confidence and belonging.
Rojas expresses, “I loved interacting with others and how they would come up and share some stories about their life with me. I’m forever grateful to be given the chance to help out at the Refuge Roundup.”
The community members with special needs and their willingness to explore this event and to share their excitement with her is what made Rojas open up. It opened up to her that these moments and interactions are what life is about. Being full of service and spreading love.
Forest-Scott FFA volunteers that spent the day giving and receiving from attendees at the Roundup.
Doing to Learn
Ultimately, the Roundup was a day filled with involvement, servant leadership and connection. The members made sure that each individual was seen by encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and to embrace these joyful moments. The Forest-Scott FFA Chapter went to this community involvement to serve others; however, they left feeling just as changed as the guests, with compassion, seeing the difference a small action can make in the world, and having a new perspective. Doing to Learn does not mean you have to learn in the classroom, but also when you are out and giving unto others. When you serve, you are not only changing others’ lives but also your own. Learn more and support the Refuge of Mississippi on their website and Facebook.
