The Heart Behind the Jacket
State Officer Erianna.
Finding a Place to Belong
Before becoming a state officer, Erianna was simply looking for a place where she belonged. Like many students entering high school, she found herself searching for connection and trying to fit into different friend groups. In the process, she often felt like she had to change herself to belong.
Everything began to change during her freshman year, when she walked into her Principles of Agriculture class and noticed a message written on the whiteboard asking for members to join a novice parliamentary procedure team. After asking her agriculture teacher about it, she was encouraged to give FFA a chance. That decision would eventually shape the course of her life.
“When I joined FFA, I found a group of individuals who loved me for the person God created me to be,” Erianna says. “They encouraged me to jump headfirst into this wonderful organization.”
From Member to State Officer
Although she quickly became involved in FFA, Erianna never imagined herself serving as a state officer. To her, state officers seemed polished, accomplished and completely out of reach.
“I didn’t grow up around agriculture, so I couldn’t imagine representing FFA members in that way,” she says.
However, after watching two members from her own chapter earn state office in consecutive years, her perspective changed. She realized state officers were not perfect people with all the answers—they were individuals willing to work hard, grow and serve others.
“When I thought of it that way, I realized that I was capable of being one of those people I looked up to so much throughout my years in FFA,” she says.
The Power of Small Moments
Throughout her year of service, Erianna discovered that the most meaningful moments are often the smallest ones. Whether it was conversations after workshops, sharing meals with members or reconnecting with students across the state, those interactions reminded her why the organization matters so deeply.
“The most rewarding part of state office thus far has been realizing the power of the small moments,” she says.
One of her favorite seasons during state office has been traveling across Indiana to attend chapter banquets. Over the past several months, she and her teammates have visited nearly 90 banquets statewide, building relationships and celebrating member accomplishments.
“Every chapter is different, but one constant among each one is the students, advisors and supporters pouring into one another and creating opportunities that truly change lives,” Erianna says.
Growth Behind the Scenes
While many members see the excitement of state office, Erianna emphasized that much of the growth happens behind the scenes. Long work days, difficult conversations and learning to live and work alongside six teammates challenged her in ways she never expected.
“This experience stretches you physically, emotionally and mentally in ways you can’t understand unless you live it,” she says. “But that’s exactly what makes it so beautiful.”
Through those challenges, she learned leadership is not about perfection. Instead, it comes from being willing to learn, grow and support others along the way.
Advice for Members
When asked what advice she would give FFA members, Erianna encouraged students to stop waiting until they feel “ready” and simply say yes to opportunities.
“You don’t have to be perfect to be a leader,” she says. “Leadership isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about showing up, learning along the way and being someone for others to lean on.”
Above all else, Erianna hopes members understand they never have to change themselves to belong in FFA.
“FFA is life changing, not because it asks you to be someone different, but because it makes you confident in the person you already are.”
