In Marietta Public Schools alone, more than 150 students are involved in FFA. Between Advisors Josh Bazor and Kelsi Kamesch the school offers eight different course offerings. It’s one of the largest, most successful programs in the school system, and those students who proudly wear the blue jacket are fiercely loyal to FFA. But why? Why belong to FFA?
For many students, FFA is something they stumbled into because of the advice of parents, older siblings, or other family members.
According to chapter officers Schuyler Blevins and Zade Bone, their older sisters were active members, and encouraged them to be, also.
That’s also the case for Leonel Venegas, who says his older sister and brother told him he would love FFA.
“I came from Greenville, and I never really thought much about being in FFA, but my sister and brother told me, ‘You’ll love Mr. Bazor,’ and so I enrolled in Ag,” he said. “And they were right. My FFA classes are my favorite classes and have been since my first year in high school.”
Laney Hicks is a third or fourth generation FFA member – she can’t remember which – but it’s definitely just something that kids in her family do.
“I’ve showed animals since I was little, and I’ve always wanted to walk in the footsteps of my family members who have been successful in Ag,” Hicks commented.
For some, FFA keeps them busy and active. They don’t have time to get into any trouble, and in order to stay active, they’re required to keep their grades up, which is always good motivation.
“With showing, being an officer, and being in ag mechanics, it definitely keeps me busy,” Bone explained, “but it’s also provided me with a lot of opportunities.”
Blevins said he’s seen his investment of time grow with his involvement.
“I wasn’t super-involved until the end of my freshman year, then I started going to competitions, events, and convention, and I enjoyed that, so I started doing more,” he stated. “It definitely takes up a lot of time, but it’s taught me so much.”
And while FFA members got into the program for a myriad of reasons, what’s kept them there is seeing how the program benefits them.
For Josie Dobbins, who got into FFA because she had friends who were involved, the program has resulted in personal growth that she can easily see.
“I’m an introverted person, and I never really thought FFA was my thing, but I decided to try it. I was a Greenhand officer my freshman year,” she remembers. “And Mr. Bazor kept pushing me to try new things, so I applied to be an officer my sophomore year, and I tried out for and made the FFA State Convention Chorus. The longer I’ve been in, the more I’ve learned about leadership, and the more I’ve learned to step out of my comfort zone. I can see now that FFA has been good for me. And it’s a lot of fun, too.”
For Hicks, another “shy” kid, FFA has provided the avenue to help her overcome that shyness and meet people she likely wouldn’t have otherwise.
Venegas believes that FFA has helped him develop skills that will be beneficial in his chosen career.
“My sister had to convince me to join, but it didn’t take long for me to become involved and understand how it all works. FFA has become a great part of my life,” he said. “FFA has taught me leadership skills and it’s taught me how to speak to people, and that will be really important to me when I graduate and join my dad’s construction business.”
For second-year advisor Kelsi Kamesch, answering the question “Why FFA?” is easy.
Kamesch, who was raised in Atwater, California, didn’t grow up in what you’d call an “agriculture” family. Her parents pushed her into sports, but that wasn’t where she found her passion. Kamesch found her place – and her people – after joining FFA.
“Sometimes things weren’t great at home, and I’d show up at school a hot mess,” she laughed. “I grew close to one of my teachers who took me under her wing as a second mom. And one of my shop teachers sent me off on my first date from the ag department.
“They were the people who stepped into the role of parents for me and helped to set me up for success. I am an Ag teacher today because of them. FFA has been so good for me. I’ve been on state-winning teams and attended so many great events. So I would never ask anybody, ‘Why would you belong to FFA?’ Instead, my question would be, ‘Why would you NOT belong to FFA?’”