National FFA officer attends Hillsboro FFA Banquet
By Mallory Mullenix
Hillsboro FFA Secretary
On Saturday, April 5, the Hillsboro FFA held a banquet to recognize its chapter’s member’s accomplishments throughout the school year through the agricultural program as well as recognizing the participation that their supporters have volunteered to them as well.
What was so bizarre and exhilarating about this particular banquet was that the chapter was able to acquire a National FFA Officer to come and speak.
National FFA Officers dedicate a year of service to the National FFA Organization and are challenging to get, considering they spend all of their time on the road.
Michaela Chaney, the vice president of community development of the Hillsboro FFA Chapter, was determined to try and get a National FFA Officer to come to the Hillsboro FFA banquet, so that’s what she did.
Michaela filled out an application to request a National FFA Officer, and although the chances were small, a few weeks later they received confirmation that Mr. Wes Davis agreed to come speak.
National FFA Officer Wes Davis was elected to serve as Eastern Region vice president at the 86th National FFA Convention & Expo for 2013-14.
Davis spoke about how when he was age 11 that he bought a chicken at his county fair in West Virginia. At this moment, Davis knew he wanted to immerse himself deeply into the world of agriculture. Davis grew up on a small property and being raised by parents who were not involved in agriculture did not allow him the opportunity of growing up on a farm.
The message Davis was trying to get across was that one does not have to grow up on a farm or in an agricultural environment to be able to create their own path and to take chances and seize opportunities.
Davis created his own path by getting himself involved in to world of agriculture and in doing so was able to take many chances and seize several opportunities which led him to where he is today.
It is important to keep in mind that one does not have to be involved in agriculture to accomplish similar characteristics. For Wes Davis, it was being involved in agriculture that shaped who he is today. What will it be for you?