Last November, six individuals’ lives changed when they were elected as the 2023-24 National FFA Officers. Since then, they’ve each visited different places and shared meaningful experiences and conversations. Follow along as they recap their year of service so far.
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Cole Baerlocher Discovers Cajun Cuisine
Friendships Flourish in the New Frontier
During National FFA Week, 2023-24 National FFA Secretary Grant Norfleet (front center) connected with Alaska FFA members at an ice park.
“It was so much fun to laugh with them as we slid down huge slides made of ice,” he says. “We also snapped pictures like this one with all the sculptures.”
Jackson Sylvester Connects with Native American Culture
Finding Joy in the Journey
Although being on the road can be tiring and a little lonely, 2023-24 National FFA Central Region Vice President Kanyon Huntington (fourth from right with Hawaii FFA members) learned to look at the positive side of traveling.
“The most important thing is to look for the joys,” he says. “Whether that’s exploring a new place or the impactful people you meet, you can choose to see the good things.”
Erik Robinson Goes Off the Grid
Enthusiasm for Agriculture Education
In North Carolina, 2023-24 National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Morgan Anderson (second from right) met Hailey Peeler (far left) and Brad Hensley (right), two Southern Guilford FFA advisors who possess compassion for teaching agriculture.
“I admire how they take this job so seriously and respect their students,” Anderson says.
Mallory White Builds Strong Bonds
Fellowship and Celebration in Florida
During her visit to Florida for National FFA Week, 2023-24 National FFA Western Region Vice President Emily Gossett (center) spent a day with the Malone FFA Chapter.
“In the morning, we hung out and cooked enchiladas for their teacher appreciation day,” she says. “We created fellowship and celebrated individuals who continuously invest in members.”
Cortney Zimmerman Enjoys Quality Time with Fellow National Officers
Connections Lead to Common Ground
Carter Howell, 2023-24 National FFA southern region vice president (second from left), has experienced how FFA brings together people from all walks of life.
“No matter what their journey in the organization looks like, they still care about FFA,” he says. “It’s so interesting that we can cater to such a wide variety of students and their interests, which helps us engage with them in different ways.”
Amara Jackson, 2023-24 National FFA president (right), and Grace Turner, an Ashland-Greenwood FFA member from Nebraska, chatted about what it means to be an FFA officer. Later in the day, when Turner needed an FFA scarf for a chapter officer interview, Jackson was happy to lend a hand.
“I handed her mine so she could be prepared,” she says. “As I look back on that moment, I’m glad I could set her up for success in her interview.”
