Michael Wood Scholarship recipient Olivia Moore.
Most FFA members across the nation recognize the FFA motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” Although all four aspects of this motto are crucial to each chapter’s mission, “Living to Serve” is reflected in the day-to-day lives of members. Through community outreach programs, such as volunteering at local soup kitchens, teaching elementary students about agriculture or donating fire hydrants to farmers, members find a way to give back to their communities.
Although these acts of service are priceless, Western Hills FFA Alumnus Scott Wood embodies “Living to Serve” by establishing and funding the Michael Wood Memorial Scholarship. Following his son’s passing, Wood received an influx of monetary donations. Since Michael was an avid FFA member, soccer player and Boy Scout, Scott began working with those organizations to grant scholarships to students within them. Over time, the scholarship evolved into a partnership solely with the Western Hills FFA Alumni Chapter. In early years, applications were difficult to choose from.
“For the first probably 10 years, every application I received received a scholarship,” Wood says. “With every application you read, you want to make sure that student gets a scholarship … it’s like pulling teeth every year.”
Michael Wood was an avid FFA member, soccer player and Boy Scout.
Community Impacts
Throughout the years, the award has deeply affected the lives of many — an estimated 40 Michael Wood Scholarships have been awarded as of last year. Several recipients have grown up to be engineers, doctors and agriculture teachers throughout Kentucky. “Everyone I give a scholarship to, they’re going to be successful regardless,” Wood says.
But the support and meaning behind receiving the award runs much deeper than getting money for college. “The story behind the scholarship, and the meaning behind the student it normally goes to, [is based on] their leadership skills, their personality and their character — those characteristics that Michael embodied,” says Michael Wood Scholarship recipient Jenna Burke. “So, it’s really special to be named as someone who also embodies those characteristics.”
The impact made on the community is unmatched; parents of recipients still approach Wood to donate money toward the scholarship and ensure its impact continues.
“’Living to Serve’ really is giving back to the community that supported you when you were going through your time,” Wood says. “You couldn’t put a dollar tag on the impacts you see.”
Through the continuous support from alumni and Wood’s deep connection with the scholarship, he plans to continue to support and motivate FFA members for years to come. Above all, he turned a devastating event into a life-changing gift and truly embodies “Living to Serve.”
