Tyrone FFA members Grace Peterson, Travis Hunter, Emma Bartel, Kaila Moon, and Shyann Kephart gathered with 360 other FFA  jacket recipients as the sea of white dress shirts were covered with brand new FFA jackets at the 103^rd Pennsylvania Farm Show on Monday, January 7, 2019.

When asked, “What does the FFA Jacket Mean to You?,” the five recipients from Tyrone Area FFA Chapter responded with different ideas.

Here are some quotes from their essays:

Grace Peterson

“The basis of our chapter’s mission is the chapter is open to all our students and we are a FFAmily who work together for an organization which is student built, student driven, and student owned.  In my mind, the jacket represents the family I desire to be part of and represent proudly.  No matter ones walk of life, all who have the jacket are accepted and people have your back.  I also believe this jacket represents our long tradition of learning, doing, and serving.  I have heard stories my entire life about the memories, lessons, and activities the chapter has afforded my parents and brother.  I was fortunate to fill a seat for the National FFA Convention this year.  There I was submerged in thousands of jackets when sitting on the floor for the opening session.  This is when I realized the awe of being in a sea of blue corduroy jackets. The only difference, those around me all had their own jackets with award pins and their names on the jackets. The jackets are held in great regards in our program and only three pins may be worn on the jacket – I want this opportunity to show the world my name and activities.  I hope to one day receive the chapter service award.  This is the one area I would like to focus my year – service to others.  I want to continue to show the community how the youth in these jackets are willing to go above and beyond to serve others.  Not because of graduation requirements, but because it’s the right thing to do.”

Travis Hunter

“The FFA Jacket means I’m going to be challenged to look within myself to share my strengths, overcome my weaknesses and develop a future for myself. This is not about a sports coach grooming me into a specific position, like on my football team, but peers helping me to discover my purpose and passions for the short and long term. The jacket gives the opportunity to gain confidence as I take on conferences and conventions to better myself and my chapter. I’m excited to be able to wear my very own jacket and to show the world that I believe in this organization and they believe in me and accept me for me. The jacket will also represent my adventure as I discover different career opportunities. I’m always amazed at the stories which alumni and current members share while wearing their FFA jackets. I want to be the next members to share my adventures and stories with the next group of freshmen.”

Emma Bartel

“The more I have learned about the program and its three components, I believe the FFA organization will provide me the biggest opportunity to foster my strengths and help me in overcoming my weaknesses.  The FFA jacket is iconic and will provide me the courage to step out of my comfort zone because no longer do I need to worry about my appearance, I can focus on my inner-self and grow as a leader. I will find my true destination and passion within the animal industry and upon graduating from high school, I will be confident in my future career.”

Kaila Moon

“As I started my adventure this year, I was granted a chance to attend the Fall Leadership Conference. This was the first step in my educational adventure of learning what is available when jumping fully into the FFA organization.  I took this challenge and recently joined the officers and our school administrators for a special awards presented to our chapter from the Blair County Chamber of Commerce. As Mr. Stucky shared the reasons of why the committee selected our chapter for the Agriculture Community Excellence Award, I realized these are just not jackets, but a unified family of youth who are truly making a difference on the World. Through these two small events, I determined I want to continue the excellence of our chapter and that begins with me emerging myself by not only engaging in the activities and events, but proudly showcasing my own FFA jacket.  As 1 of only 20 freshmen selected to be in the program, I am being given a gift to enhance my future and to be part of one of the most powerful youth organizations in our school. Wearing the FFA jacket is liked being wrapped up in a shield which gives me the confidence to move out of my comfort zone and get involved.”

Shyann Kephart

“I’m actually envious of other members who have a jacket with their name on the front. I was selected to attend the Fall Leadership Conference in October 2018.  I was nervous to attend, but I accepted the challenge of our advisor to get out of my comfort zone and I met new people and took an active part in the workshops.  Through this I wore a loaner jacket in our program and many people looked at me strange because the name on the jacket was very far from my own name. This is not only the moment I realized I wanted to get more involved in the FFA chapter, but I wanted to earn my very own jacket. It’s like a badge of honor to wear one of these jackets with your name on the front. I’m also starting to learn that we are a different organization and different from any other club in our school.  We started our committees and every FFA members is part of the decisions the chapter does. It is a truly run students organization and the jacket represents this unified front our chapter has.”