Trey Myers’ jacket at the Oklahoma State FFA Convention.

The roar of the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo crowd was fuel to Trey Myers as he ran toward the stage, nearly slipping in the excitement. Once he reached the stage, he embraced his teammates so enthusiastically, he accidentally head-butted Jael Cruikshank in a moment they will never forget.

After getting off the stage and hugging one of his mentors, Ryan Best, Myers was still stunned that his name had been called for the 2025-26 National FFA President. It was a magical moment for someone who, at one point, believed his FFA journey was over.

Myers runs onto the national stage after his name was called for National FFA President.

Myers grew up in the small town of Perkins, Okla. His older brother, Luke, joined FFA first. Wanting to be like him (and hoping to escape a few classes), Trey followed.

However, he entered with little confidence. His first speech competition left him rattled, as a simple hand motion revealed that he was shaking. He didn’t place, but he worked hard the whole speech season and ended up being runner up at the state speech contest. The drive home, with the song “Pocketful of Sunshine” blasting, turned the day into a memory he would treasure forever. This showed him that FFA wasn’t about winning and titles; it was about people, laughter and connection.

Myers served as Perkins-Tryon FFA Chapter’s sentinel, reporter and later president, growing as he entered each role. After experiencing Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp for the first time and talking to a state officer, he decided that he was going to run for state office, and that he did. Myers’ year of service opened his world. Meeting members and learning their stories showed him that leadership was about showing up and serving others.

Myers with Kaleb Wood, one of the Perkins-Tryon FFA advisors, at Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp during Myers’ year as a state officer.

After his state term, Myers thought he was done with FFA. His focus shifted toward sports medicine and physical therapy. But at the Oklahoma State FFA Convention, two past national officers encouraged him to consider running for national office. Their confidence pushed him to consider something bigger than himself.

Preparing for national office meant juggling working with the Oklahoma State University football program, schoolwork and preparing for running for a national office. Through it all, he relied on one motto: “Do better, longer.”

Perkins-Tryon FFA members hug Myers right after he got off of the national stage.

When Myers’ name echoed across the arena at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, everything made sense. All of his hard work, doubts and long nights led to this. Now, he hopes to bring the feeling of connection he experienced at Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp to members across the country. He is excited about forming bonds with his teammates.

To anyone considering running for office, Myers offers one piece of advice: “The three most dangerous words we can say are ‘I got this,’” he says. “If you think that you can do this on your own, you are sadly mistaken. None of this would’ve been possible without a very good group of people around me that have supported me selflessly and helped me achieve this goal.”

Now, with a team and the support system that carried him here, he’s ready to share the same sense of connection that changed his life.