During high school, I ate, slept, and breathed all things FFA. For those of you who do not know what the National FFA Organization is, it is a national organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Nothing prepared me more for my college experience than this wonderful student-led organization.

FFA prepared me for college courses.

FFA doesn't only teach students about agriculture. FFA prepared me for college courses by teaching me about science, business, communication, education, forestry, and so much more! FFA offered me endless opportunities to visit colleges, talk to college students, and figure out what classes I truly wanted to take during my college years.

FFA prepared me to hold leadership roles.

As I look back on my time as a student at Wadley High School, nothing was more exciting than the leadership roles I held through the National FFA Organization. I was the president of my school's FFA chapter and was also the president for the Central District FFA. These roles allowed me to travel not only my county, but my state, and also our nation to share my passion for agriculture with others. These roles helped me grow as a person and instilled in me the skills and passion it takes to be a leader on my college campus. Had it not been for FFA, I probably wouldn't be an appointed officer in my sorority or a member of the Troy University Student Government Association.

FFA taught me about true friendship.

The friends that we make along our life journey can teach us more about ourselves than we ever expect. I am so blessed to have made many great friends through FFA. They are definitely friendships that will last a lifetime. My relationship with friends made through FFA has taught me to be more loyal and supportive in my relationships with my newfound college friends.

FFA equipped me with communication skills.

Communication skills are a necessity during the college years. As a college student, you should be able to effectively communicate when speaking in front of a class, in an interview, at campus events, and at meetings for any organizations you are involved in on campus. As the Central District President, I had the opportunity to travel in my district and speak to students from many schools. Doing this got me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to develop a public speaking ability that I never knew i was capable of having. Being a former FFA member definitely makes it easier for me to be more confident when speaking in front of others.

FFA taught me about servant leadership.

At Troy University, servant leadership is a big deal! The leaders on my college campus serve others through numerous volunteer activities such as philanthropic events and volunteering at local animal shelters, nursing homes, schools, and more. FFA fueled my passion for being a servant leader. In the FFA motto, one part that really sticks out is, "Living to Serve." This is a major part of what the FFA is about. The FFA shaped me into the servant leader I am today.

How has FFA impacted other members?

Former National FFA Officer Wiley Bailey said this when I asked him how FFA prepared him for college:

When I started college I was surprised at some of the things i was already familiar with. I had already spoken in front of crowds about topics i researched. Making friends with new people in new places was also something I was familiar with as well. These are two examples of how FFA prepared me for college.

Nearly everywhere I go, I meet a fellow FFA member. The members of this wonderful organization truly stand out, because of their great character and personality. I am proud to say that I was an FFA member in high school, and that without that experience I probably would not be an involved student at Troy University.