Ryace Boyer attends the 97th Ohio FFA Convention & Expo.
On May 4, 2022, eighth grader Ryace Boyer sat in her seat at her first Ohio FFA Convention & Expo and waited for Session 1 to begin. It was her first year in FFA, and state convention was the last major event of the year for her chapter before summer began. The event had been played up by upperclassmen as the best event of the year, and she couldn’t wait to experience it for herself.
After she walked out of her first session, she decided at that moment she wanted to become a state officer.
Boyer stands next to her 2025-26 chapter officer team.
Boyer’s Home
The Warren FFA Chapter was established in 1962 and has served hundreds of members since. The chapter, alongside current advisor Blake Campbell, has produced many successful members who have gone on to serve agriculture in various ways.
For example, Warren FFA is known for producing the first female national FFA officer from Ohio, Susie (Barrett) Bline, who served as the 1980-81 eastern region vice president. Twenty years prior to that, Warren FFA had its last Ohio FFA state officer, Nathan Arnold, who served as the state sentinel.
Breaking a 20-Year Streak
Boyer stands at the podium during the Friends of the FFA Luncheon and performs her “Why I Desire” speech.
After Boyer’s first state convention, she dedicated the rest of her FFA career to achieving her goal of becoming a state officer. From countless hours studying for competitions to speaking at events and organizing fundraisers, she used every moment as a learning opportunity for her future role. Every action, every event and every decision was made with her dream in mind.
After four years of serving, she finally made it to her state officer interview. “I remember walking toward the Ohio FFA Center and seeing all of the current state officers,” says Boyer. “They were the ones who inspired me the most, and their supportive words only fueled my desire to be a state officer.
“When I walked out of the interview, I was definitely uneasy. The interview process is made to be hard; it challenges you so the judges know if you’re right for the position. I was nervous because seeing everyone else running made me feel less confident in myself.”
Boyer runs to the stage after being slated as the state treasurer.
Twenty-six days later, all of her hard work paid off. “I walked into the first session and sat next to some of my best friends who were also running,” Boyer says. “Sitting next to them definitely eased my nerves, but when the Chicago Bulls theme songs started playing, every nerve in my body began to tense. As we swayed with each other and eagerly waited for the slate, I don’t think I had ever been more nervous in my life.”
In a few moments, Boyer found out she was slated as state treasurer. A four-year dream had finally come true.
A Year of Service Begins
Boyer began her role right after convention. From trainings and meetings to Ohio FFA Camp, she’s become something she’s always wanted. “Sometimes I still think this is all a dream and I’ll wake up soon,” she says. “It’s so surreal being able to live an experience that I could only dream of before. I think if eighth-grade Ryace were to see me now, I know she’d be proud.”
Alongside her teammates, Boyer will serve as one of five state vice presidents at large during the 2025-26 term. After her year of service, she plans to attend a university to earn a degree in agriscience education, then come back to Ohio and be an FFA advisor.
Boyer poses alongside her state officer team during the 97th Ohio FFA Convention & Expo.
