A Legacy of Leadership: Cole Pruitt’s Impact Through FFA and Beyond
Cole Pruitt poses in his FFA jacket.
FFA is known for preparing young leaders for their futures, and in my experience, no one embodies that more than my brother, Cole Pruitt. He has not only found success in the blue jacket, but also beyond it, and made a lasting impact on our community.
Pruitt recently graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in St. Joseph, Ill. While many people expect to have more free time after graduation, that has not been the case for him. Instead, Pruitt has dedicated himself to serving others and continuing his education. He stays busy farming, working toward his associate’s degree at Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., and serving as a basic instructor at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. In addition, he volunteers with the St. Joseph-Stanton and Eastern Prairie Fire Protection Districts, and works as an EMT with Gibson Area Ambulance Service.
As his sister, I have had the unique opportunity to watch his journey up close. I have seen the long hours, the hard work and the dedication he puts into everything he does. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, as he was selected as the second recipient of The News-Gazette’s Emerging Farm Leader of the Year Award, an honor that truly reflects his commitment to agriculture and leadership.
During his time in FFA, Pruitt earned numerous honors that set him apart. He received a state proficiency award in agricultural mechanics: repair and maintenance — the first earned by a member of the St. Joseph-Ogden FFA Chapter in 40 years. He also served as a chapter officer throughout high school, holding the positions of sentinel, vice president and president. One of his greatest accomplishments was earning his American FFA Degree, the organization’s highest honor, which recognizes years of dedication and achievement.
Pruitt plans to continue our family’s legacy as a sixth-generation farmer, while also pursuing a full-time career as a firefighter. Our grandparents, Vernon and Wilma Buhr, farmed the same land for their entire lives, making it even more meaningful for him to carry that tradition forward.
Since he was young, Pruitt has always dreamed of becoming both a farmer and a firefighter. That dream is deeply rooted in our family, as our dad and our uncle are firemen, but my dad also farms.
Pruitt sits on a SJSFPD fire truck with his firefighter jacket on one side, and his FFA jacket on the other.
Watching my brother achieve his goals has been incredibly inspiring. His story shows not only me, but others in our community, that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. As I now serve as the president of the St. Joseph-Ogdon FFA Chapter, I hope to follow in his footsteps by earning my state and American FFA Degrees, just like he did. His impact continues to inspire me every day.
