2023-24 Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Officers Leila Harper, Anna Hisrich and Gracy Smith pose for a picture at The Ohio State University booth while at the 96th National FFA Convention & Expo.
When Gracy Smith joined FFA in sixth grade, she had no idea just how much it would affect her life. Now, as a freshman at Ohio University, she reflects on her time as a member of the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter in Ohio.
“I come from a family with a long line of FFA members and officers,” Smith says. “So, once FFA was available for me, I knew right away I wanted to join.”
Her connection to agriculture was rooted in family tradition, but it wasn’t until she zipped up her own jacket for the first time that the weight of that legacy truly settled on her shoulders. That moment marked the beginning of a journey filled with growth, leadership and countless unforgettable experiences.
Gracy Smith puts on her FFA blue jacket for the first time in 2023.
While the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter was small and very new, Smith found her place in it very quickly. At the time of her graduation this May, she was the only member who had been in the chapter every year since its founding in 2019. Once she put on her blue jacket for the first time, she knew she had made the right choice in joining FFA.
She showed up to every meeting, participated in multiple career development events, and attended both state and national conventions. She also held multiple leadership roles during her time in FFA. She was the chapter historian, then vice president and, finally, the chapter president her senior year. Leading a young, developing chapter wasn’t always easy, but Smith embraced every challenge with determination. She also volunteered at Camp Bio-Med, a summer camp her chapter hosts for rising middle schoolers.
The Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Officer Team for the 2024-25 school year, from left to right: Liam Basta (Secretary), Brynn Bird (Reporter), Charlie Kamenash (Sentinel), Leila Harper (Vice President), Gracy Smith (President) and Olivia Davies (Treasurer).
FFA opened doors for Smith that she never imagined possible. She met new friends from across the state and the country, expanding her worldview far beyond her small chapter. Whether she was competing, traveling or simply spending late nights preparing for events with her officer team, every experience left an impact.
Even though her time in the blue jacket has come to an end, Smith knows that the impact of FFA will stay with her forever. The organization helped shape her into a leader, a communicator and someone who believes in the power of her own voice. As she moves forward into her college years and beyond, she carries not just the memories, but the lessons, friendships and pride that came with being part of the Bio-Med Science Academy FFA Chapter.
“Through FFA, I learned how to be a leader, how to work as a team, adapt and change,” Smith said. “But, most importantly, I learned that every unique idea, thought, and voice matters, and that is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I am so proud to open my closet every day and see the blue corduroy jacket hanging there, especially with ‘Bio-Med Science Academy’ on the back of it.”
