21/04/2022
"Why FFA and AG Classes?"
I get questions just like that all the time. From teachers, family members, other adults, and some middle schoolers. I can't speak for other FFA members, but it has been one of the best opportunities of my life. It all started back in 8th grade, which was cut short for the Class of 2024 due to Covid. My brother asked me, "what classes are you taking for your freshman year?" At the time I had no clue, and he was in AG Classes for all four years, at Republic High School and told me to do it. I remember the first day of that class and was already in love with the environment. David Mareth kept open doors all the time, and he pushed me into showing cattle and doing a contest team. He always had high standards for me, and that pushed me to do better and put in hard work for everything I did. Without him I wouldn't have got 4th in State with my Conduct Team, and showed cattle all summer for our chapter. The summer led to FFA Camp, which I met so many new people and it caused me to be more outgoing and helped with my public speaking. Showing cattle showed me how to put hard work in, and if you fail you get back up again and keep trying over and over again. It also taught me responsibility. Through all the hard days of long contest practices and the tears at Chapter Banquet, the question still stands, why do you still do it? FFA has taught me a different type of leadership, not only taking stand when needed but also helping the ones struggling. The AG Classes don't just teach me "how to find the area of a polygon" like Geometry has (which I still can't do very well but don't tell my math teacher), they teach you life lessons and how to do things yourself. Just this year we have built mineral feeds and we are welding right now. They aren't just classes because your "country" they are about work and dedication. Thoses things you need in life to strive. Sports may teach you leadership and dedication, but I have found that FFA teaches it even better. I have quit volleyball to focus on everything to do with FFA. And I'm excited to see where FFA takes me down the road. If you aren't already, get involved with AG and FFA, it's worth your time and at Republic we have some of the best AG teachers who want you to succeed.
- Kinleigh Tate (Deep In The Soil)
