Some people talk about making a difference; others simply do it. Hannah Hinshaw is a dedicated member of the Rockingham County FFA Chapter in North Carolina. She lives out the FFA motto of “Living to Serve” through her work with her church and the Special Olympics.
Hinshaw serves as vice president of Rockingham County FFA. One of her most memorable ways to serve with her church is through missions. This past summer, she traveled to Baltimore, Md., and Columbus, Ohio. There, she participated in Vacation Bible School, served in community kitchens and interacted with community members. She also organized and packed 500 backpacks for a backpack drive while spreading the gospel. Hinshaw’s selfless actions inspire others to find their own ways to give back.
Hinshaw (right), along with two of her peers, smiles at the first Rockingham County High School Unified Kickball Game.
Another way Hinshaw chooses to serve is through the Special Olympics. She began her journey with Special Olympics North Carolina in the summer of 2024. There, she volunteered with the summer games and helped run events. This led her to assist in growing Unified, a program that spreads awareness for inclusion and brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities, at her high school. Special Olympics North America awarded Hinshaw and two of her peers with a grant to lead a community project promoting inclusion.
“Serving with Special Olympics has impacted my life greatly,” says Hinshaw. “It ignited something in me to change the world around me, and bring inclusion into every aspect of life.”
To Hinshaw, the FFA motto of “Living to Serve” means being dedicated to making a positive impact in her community and taking time to serve others, even when life gets hard. “I think that serving others is always worth it, even if it only impacts one person,” she says. Her spirit has inspired Rockingham County FFA to get more involved in community projects, reminding members that FFA is about growing leaders who serve others.
Hinshaw continues to show that leadership isn’t just about holding a title — it’s about serving others with purpose and dedication. Through her work with her church and Special Olympics, she truly lives out the FFA motto of “Living to Serve.”
