JaTayvion Thomas, clad in his number four Palmyra football jersey.
As FFA members, we are unified by the trademark blue corduroy jacket. Our blood runs national blue and corn gold. Thousands of students, educators and alumni are all connected by the motto “Living to Serve.”
But sometimes, tragedy strikes. Trials shake our households, communities and souls. In the wake of hardship, though, Palmyra FFA didn’t crumble — it united.
The Beginning of JT’s Journey
On the night of Sept. 12, 2025, the Macon High School football field went quiet. Clapping ceased. Chants died in fans’ throats. The entire stadium held its breath as medics rushed to assist Palmyra FFA member JaTayvion Thomas (lovingly known as “JT”). The minutes crawled by, murmured prayers whistled through the chilly night. Palmyra and Macon fans tracked JT’s number four jersey across the field and into the back of a wailing ambulance.
The emergency sirens faded into the inky night.
The silence lingered.
As the hours passed, news spread. JT sustained a fracture in his C4-C5 vertebrae — the nerves correlating to shoulder motion, diaphragm function and sensation in the upper body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. After multiple surgeries, JT was stabilized in the intensive care unit at the University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital.
But his entire community was reeling.
For a wholesome moment, the divide of school rivalries vanished. Individuals wept for JT, the high school senior facing a trial beyond comprehension. Palmyra and the surrounding towns united in his honor, conducting prayer vigils and expressing their unwavering support.
Individuals from Palmyra and the surrounding community express their support by forming a number four at a prayer vigil.
Among those pillars of service was the Palmyra FFA Chapter.
Living to Serve
For the Palmyra High School agriculture program, JT is more than a name on a roster. He’s a smile in rowdy classrooms, a joke floating down the hallway and a grinning candidate on the Barnwarming Court. The incident disquieted every FFA member — but it wouldn’t stop them from supporting their fellow FFA member.
JT Thomas at the 2025 Missouri State FFA Convention with his agricultural mechanics team.
Palmyra FFA did what it does best: serve. The chapter devised a plan — a benefit trap shoot and silent auction.
Palmyra FFA advisors Amanda Haeberlin and Luke Mahsman oversaw every detail of the fundraiser. They contacted businesses, set dates, rallied volunteers and spread the word on social media.
“The trap shoot was an opportunity for us to show JT how much we love and miss him, and a way to involve the community in his recovery,” says Haeberlin.
The “4-JT’s Journey Trap shoot” was an overwhelming success. The chapter hosted more than 100 shooters and more than 25 volunteers. In total, more than $4,000 was donated to the Thomas family. These funds are joined by thousands of dollars raised by Palmyra High School and the surrounding school districts.
The Road Ahead
Currently, JT is making astounding strides in his recovery. The next chapter in his journey is entering a top-rated physical therapy program. The Palmyra FFA Chapter’s number four is embraced by a mighty lattice of support, prayers and overflowing love. JT’s story is not a tragedy — it’s a testimony. One of faith, community and service.
JT’s Journey illustrates that in times of hardship, we must embody the core of FFA: Living to Serve.
Photo Credits: Alicia Deming Photography
