Rising members of the Carroll County Middle School (CCMS) Future Farmers of America (FFA) were told “the legacy is now in your hands” following a stellar year capped off by the chapter being named the nation’s top Model of Excellence middle school program. Chapter Advisor John Carpenter, during the annual FFA banquet held at VFW Post 1115 on April 18, shared a long list of accomplishments by chapter officers and teams — many of which placed or will advance to State and regional competitions.
“Our kids find a path. There’s no better place to do that, than in FFA,” said Carpenter to a large group of parents, caregivers and family attending the event. “FFA can take what you feel is your worst moment and turn it into your best moment. Our politicians could learn a lot from our organization and our kids.”
FFA officers performed opening and closing degree ceremonies in use by the organization since the early 1930s. The chapter officers introduced to participants were President Emma Wilmoth, Vice President Noel McMorrow, Secretary Mailyn Crowder, Treasurer Mason Ogle, Chaplain Talon Henley, Reporter Chloe Wright, Sentinel Baya Austin, and Advisor Katelyn Charette. Makenzie Carter and John Carpenter serve as advisors for the chapter. FFA State Treasurer Jadyn Smith and 2024-2025 FFA Area Secretary Kayleigh Johnson were the featured speakers at the banquet. Carroll News Staff Writer David Broyles was presented with an Honorary Chapter FFA Degree (membership) award for advancing agricultural education and outstanding service to FFA.
“We start out with sixth graders and we see them progress into kids that we pass on to the high school...so...both of the speakers were very quiet middle schoolers. They went on to great things,” said Carpenter. “The first speaker is from Carroll County and our chapter. She serves as secretary for our Appalachian area, which covers all the way from Pulaski west. We were just talking about how our other speaker was one of my quietest little kids. I won’t say we created a monster but last year she was the keynote speaker at her graduation and then will next be putting on a 1,500-person convention for us.”
Johnson, who also serves as local chapter secretary, told participants she would not be where she is now without FFA. She said one of the most important things she has learned is to be in the moment.
“A quote I love is do not let the sadness of your past and your fear of the future rob you of the happiness of the present,” said Johnson. “A good portion of my FFA career I’ve spent studying, missing school and worrying about what was to come. On Tuesday, April 16 I got my last FFA jacket. I do not know what the future holds anymore but I’m living in the moment. I do not fear what this last year of service holds because I know I have a good team behind me. To the incoming officer team I share the following things...serve with a purpose, make sure everything you do has a purpose, do not let fear consume you. Take risks. Always be strong and courageous.”
Smith said she had really struggled deciding what to share with a hometown crowd. She said perhaps more so because they know what FFA is, what FFA does and how it changes your life for the better.
“After much consideration and what I could say I came up with one little nugget of wisdom...that is, be comfortable with the uncomfortable,” said Smith. “This may seem weird but seeking out what may appear weird and uncomfortable will lift a weight off your shoulders. I had to do this back in the tenth grade when I joined our conduct of chapter meetings team. I hated to talk in front of people. Everyday I made my way down the long...dark...hallway to the ag shop I felt like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. It was rough but one day that hallway didn’t seem so dark and narrow. One day it didn’t seem too bad to get up and debate. Then, I understood why sister’s favorite movie...The Greatest Showman... which she watched more than any normal person can meant when P.T. Barnum said ‘comfort is the enemy of progress.’ Living in the comfortable enables us to stop pushing ourselves. Nothing great happens while living in what is comfortable. As it turns out, the worst thing I thought I’d ever have to do turned out to be one of my biggest blessings. Refusing to stay less comfortable forces us to become the people we were meant to be....not the people we settled into being.”
David Broyles may be reached at 276-779-4013 or on “X” at CarrollNewsDave
Most Popular
Comments / 0