‘Tis the season for giving thanks, and we hope you have lots of things to be thankful for. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we asked FFA members, staff and supporters to submit a photo that demonstrates why they are thankful for FFA.
“I’m thankful for FFA and all it has provided me since discovering the ‘magic’ in 1999,” says Ambra Tennery, associate director of Educational Development & Evaluation Programs at FFA. “I have experienced joy, learnings, opportunities and mostly relationships. The relationships FFA provides are what I am most thankful for. Hundreds of special people are in my life because of FFA.” Tennery snapped this photo with her children at an FFA event. “I chose this picture because I love that my kids are now able to experience the greatness of all FFA has to offer as well,” she says. The goals of the event sought to: “I am so thankful for every opportunity I have been able to make and every person I have gotten to meet through FFA,” says Washington FFA State Secretary Esther Grosz. “Without FFA, I wouldn’t have been able to branch out and build my own strengths to serve others to the best of my abilities.” “I chose this picture because without my advisor, there is no way I would be where I am today,” Grosz continues. “Mrs. Seick has been a constant source of support throughout my life, giving me wisdom and being someone I can turn to no matter what. She is one of three incredible people who have supported me throughout my high school life and journey through FFA. I am so thankful for them and always will be.” “The beauty of the National FFA Organization is its ability to impact all students, no matter what background they come from. FFA has a place for everyone, while developing their highest potential,” says Jacob Marek, National FFA Teacher Ambassador and FFA advisor from Vilonia, Ark. “This is why I will forever be grateful for my time in FFA." Marek, pictured here, second row, third from right under pennant, was a member of the Barbers Hill FFA Chapter in Mont Belvieu, Texas. “This picture is the first time I remember my passion kindling for FFA, as we had just placed in the Jr. Chapter Conducting Contest at Area,” he says. “I vividly remember this day since it was one of the first times I felt I was a part of something bigger than myself. The journey of hard work and teamwork was worth every bit at this moment.” “My dad was an ag teacher, so I always expected to join FFA. That blue jacket led to seven years in FFA, five years as an ag teacher and now 40 years in agriculture,” says Brian Cavey, senior vice president of corporate communications and government affairs for CoBank, an FFA corporate partner. “Showing steers and judging livestock were fun, but the leadership training made my career. I am proud that CoBank and Farm Credit are strong supporters of future ag leaders.” Shown here, Cavey attends a 1980 livestock show in Montana, where he was a member of the Missoula FFA Chapter. “FFA gave me direction in life, and I’m thankful for the people I met along the way and the impact they had on me,” says Matthew Marquez, an FFA alumnus and geology major at Texas A&M University. “Life is all about people and valuing them. Making meaningful connections is crucial to personal success and a joyous life.” Marquez had the opportunity to meet former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine (at left) and former FFA CEO Mark Poeschl at the national FFA convention. “This picture captures what I consider to be a defining moment in my FFA career,” he says. “This wonderful meeting shaped my career path. Ag in space!” “Why am I thankful for FFA? Communication, both written and oral, is a critical factor to success professionally and personally. FFA set me on a path to not only overcome a crippling fear of public speaking, but to reach a point where I embraced the power of it with confidence,” says Mark Ripato, an FFA donor and president of the Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness division. Ripato, pictured third from left in 1979 with his chapter officer team, helped rebuild the Tollesboro FFA Chapter in Kentucky. “The chapter had become pretty stagnant until this group came together during our freshman year and decided to make it better,” he recalls. “By the time we graduated, we had become very competitive at the regional level in Kentucky, competed regularly at the state level, and had a future Kentucky state officer and an American Degree recipient in our mix.”
*Emphasize the importance of having a truly diverse range of identities in FFA and agriculture.
*Create community among future leaders who believe in a fair and inclusive agriculture industry.
*And offer all students an opportunity to learn more about each other and engage in dialogue.
