Better and Better: FFA's Successes
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.“ ~ Heraclitus This is true about the Lawrence County Chapter of FFA. Having only started its membership in the 2018/2019 school year, each year, the chapter gets better and better.
“Each year, we improve and apply those lessons learned for the next time,” states Katie Bober. “We all learn a little more!” A junior, this is Bober’s second year, but this one has certainly been her most successful! In her competition, Horse Evaluation, she earned 8th place out of a field of 110 competitors from all across Pennsylvania! That’s nothing to whinny about!
First year member, Lacey Ables, is hot on the heels of Bober. On the state level, Ables scored in the top 25 as a sophomore. “FFA gives me more experience,” Ables states, “ It’s something to add to my resume, but even more, I have gained a lot of overall knowledge. I’ve made many friends from FFA, and being in this organization has helped me come out of my shell.”
Chloe Shirley, also a sophomore, competed with Ables in Junior Prepared Speech. They focused on topics that are important to their future chosen careers in the veterinary field. Chloe scored high enough at the regional level that she moved onto the district competition where she placed in the top five! Both competitors are excited to prepare themselves for next year's competitions and the ability to hone in on career and leadership skills such as public speaking, essay writing, and researching their chosen veterinary topics.
Here’s something else to add to their FFA trophy case: the “Gift of Blue”! This year, Lacey Ables, Chloe Shirley, Amber Nero, and Victoria Carpenter earned their rights and can now sport their very own corduroy blue FFA jacket, embroidered with their name and chapter, to signify faith, honor, and pride that is Future Farmers of America. Congratulations girls!
What is amazing is the sense of teamwork that Mrs. Ariel Yanak, FFA Advisor and Vet Assistant instructor, establishes within the chapter. Even if her students compete against each other, these students actually help each other prepare for the event because in doing so, they become better themselves. These students are also working on time management skills as they master the material necessary for the veterinary assistant profession as well as the Career Development Events and/or Leadership Development Events.
For example, Lita Frishkorn competed with Lanna Schultz in Senior Prepared Speech on the regional level, but that didn’t hurt their friendship one bit. Lovingly called “Velcro,” by Mrs. Yanak, these two are typically found together practicing when they’re not studying or training for their future Vet Assistant careers. “FFA gave me the chance to grow as a person,” Frishkorn considers, “and develop a passion of mine: Public Speaking.” Schultz competed with Frishkorn on the Regional level, but when Frishkorn moved on to the next level, Shultz stepped in to help practice, and that teamwork paid off. Frishkorn went on to score in the top 10 at the District Competition!
Schultz, a self-proclaimed shy person, also speaks of the soft skills FFA helps to build. “I have allowed myself to challenge myself in ways I couldn’t have ever imagined. FFA has given me the opportunity to travel, but it has really pushed me into practicing important skills such as public speaking and job interviews.”
Schultz turned her individual sights on Employment Skills which included an interview, an application process, and a cover letter and resume review -- skills that will follow her in any career. This time, Schultz placed in 10th place at the state competition -- with Frishkorn cheering her on along the way!
2021 has been Rachel Dando’s final year to compete at FFA, and, as a member of the Veterinary Science Team, she has truly made the most of it! “I had so many opportunities in FFA; we went to the convention in Indianapolis last school year, and meeting different people from different states was one of my favorite experiences!”
An original member of the Veterinary Science Team, Aaron Johnson states, ““FFA has challenged me to study and work hard to achieve my goal.” This year, she once again joined the team and helped them reach their highest ranking to date. We are proud to announce that the Veterinary Science Team made up of Aaron Johnson, Rachel Dando, Lita Frishkorn, and Lanna Schultz have earned 4th in the state!
Congratulations Lawrence County CTC FFA! Well-done! We’re proud of you!
