From the Sidelines to the Spotlight: How FFA Changed Everything
Mila Zink admiring the view from the press room at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo on the FFA in the USA Reporter tour.
An Unexpected Beginning
FFA was never supposed to become such a defining part of my life. From the outside looking in, I never really saw a place for myself in FFA—that was for the “country kids,” not a born-and-raised sporty girl like me. But a 14-month recovery from meniscus and ACL reconstruction surgery completely changed my perspective.
Under normal circumstances, Intro to Ag would have been just another class—one with opportunities I may have been interested in, but never truly had the time to pursue while balancing multiple sports. However, that year was different. With sports suddenly removed from my schedule because of my injury, I had more free time than I knew what to do with. My restless personality was determined to stay involved in something. FFA became the answer.
At the time, I knew almost nothing about agriculture. I did not grow up on a farm, showing livestock, or have parents involved in organizations like FFA or 4-H. But what I quickly learned is that FFA is not about where you come from—it is about being willing to grow.
An Advocate was Born
Through pageantry, I discovered a passion for public speaking, interviewing, and building genuine connections with others. But my eyes were truly opened to the opportunities within the National FFA Organization when I competed in my first CDE: Job Interview. Honestly, I did not know what to expect. I just knew it sounded like something right up my alley, so I approached it as a learning experience.
After that contest, I remember leaving completely shocked, thinking, “Wow… this feels so real—like how you would actually apply and interview for a job in the real world.” Immediately, I was hooked. Next came the National FFA Convention & Expo, then eight more CDEs and LDEs throughout the rest of the school year. I could not stop—I had completely fallen in love with FFA.
As my freshman year—and first year in FFA—came to a close, I was presented with two incredible opportunities: running for chapter office and applying to become an FFA in the USA Reporter. I was accepted into both roles, and serving as a reporter at both the chapter and national levels impacted me more than I ever expected.
Illinois FFA in the USA Reporters, Mila Zink and Savannah Cycholl, show off their reporter tee shirts at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo.
As a reporter, I spent the year telling the stories of others—capturing accomplishments, interviewing members, and advocating for agricultural education. Somewhere along the way, I realized agriculture had become part of my story too. The industry I once knew almost nothing about had become something I was deeply passionate about representing and advocating for.
That passion pushed me outside my comfort zone in ways I never imagined. This past year, I showed sheep for the very first time. I walked into the livestock world completely inexperienced, knowing far less than almost everyone around me. But instead of being intimidated, I became determined to learn. Not long after, I found myself winning a livestock judging contest—something the “old me” would have never believed possible.
North Clay FFA Livestock Judging team after a successful day at the Crawford County 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Illinois.
More Than a Blue Jacket
Looking back, it is funny how the thing I once thought was “not for me” became one of the most important parts of my life. FFA gave me purpose during one of the hardest seasons I had ever faced, but more importantly, it gave me confidence to try things I never thought I belonged in.
What started as a way to fill time during an injury recovery turned into a passion for leadership, communication, advocacy, and agriculture itself. FFA did not just change what I do—it changed the way I see myself.
