Where Agriculture Meets Advocacy
West Hardin FFA officers represent at the Texas State Capitol.
While many chapters celebrated spirit days and appreciation breakfasts during National FFA Week, members of the West Hardin FFA Officer Team took their leadership to a much bigger stage.
Four officers — Kenadee DeDear, Emelyn Rose, Bella Skinner and Caylee Williams — traveled with advisor Hannah Vanya to the Texas State Capitol for Day in the Capital: A Legislative Lead Experience in Texas. Though the chapter’s officer team includes both young men and women, the group attending this event happened to be all female, a powerful representation of leadership from rural Southeast Texas.
For a small, country, 2A district like West Hardin CCISD, it was a big moment in a big city.
Walking into the capitol left a lasting impression. Williams said the experience “taught me that no matter what group you’re from, how old you are, or where you come from, if you have the initiative, and you have the want and need to learn, then you can change the world.”
Leadership Beyond the Blue Jacket
Day in the Capital gives members the opportunity to meet legislators, learn about the legislative process and advocate for agricultural education. Attendees experienced firsthand how decisions made in Austin affect rural schools, farmers and FFA programs across Texas.
Officers learn about legislation.
For West Hardin FFA officers, the trip was not about sightseeing; it was about service, responsibility and using their voices.
Williams hopes to share that message back home. “I really want to come back and let people know that agriculture is more than just plants and flowers to us, and we benefit from it every day,” she says.
One of her most memorable moments happened on the ride back to Southeast Texas. “Just talking and combining ideas” reminded her that leadership continues long after the official meetings end, she says.
West Hardin FFA officers and their trip sponsor enjoy Austin.
Small Town Roots, Statewide Reach
West Hardin CCISD may be a small, rural district, but its FFA program continues to prove that leadership is not defined by size.
Vanya emphasized the importance of advocacy and exposure. “The importance of taking FFA officers to Day in the Capital is so they can experience and gain knowledge about why it is important to advocate for themselves,” she says. “Networking and communication with individuals in our legislature helps further their leadership and communication skills.”
She also reflected on a quote shared by keynote speaker Todd Kercheval that resonated deeply with her: “The best days of your lives are when you have an inner peace with where you are in your life.”
“That’s what I want for them,” Vanya added, referring to confidence in who they are and clarity about where they’re headed.
Leadership That Lasts
Experiences like Day in the Capital extend far beyond a single trip. “FFA really showcases leaders,” Vanya says. “It prepares them for their future as they go out into the real world.”
During National FFA Week, West Hardin FFA did more than celebrate tradition; it lived it. From a country school to the halls of the Texas Capitol, these officers demonstrated that leadership may begin in a blue jacket, but it reaches far beyond it.
