Five Tyrone High School freshman received their first-year FFA member jackets at the 102^nd PA Farm Show and the 89^th PA FFA mid-winter convention, held at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Monday, January 8, 2018.

Approximately 3000 people were in attendance, despite the extremely cold weather.

Tyrone freshman Lyndsey Fleck, Garin Hoy, Karly Diebold and Mara Focht gathered with the other 354 jacket recipients as the sea of white dress shirts were covered with their brand new FFA jackets. Freshman Laura Kohler was unable to attend because of a sporting event but received her jacket when the chapter returned to school.

When asked “What does the FFA Jacket Mean to You?” the five recipients from Tyrone Area FFA Chapter all responded with different ideas.  Here are a few quotes from their essays:

Karly Diebold

“The FFA jacket is very special to me as it allows me to show my pride in the organization not only to our supporters but to those who may not understand the impact this organization can make on youth.  As a child, I heard about the great opportunities FFA had to offer and in just a few weeks of being in the program, I can see how our chapter is engaged in giving and working with the community and in the school.  This is more than just a club, it’s a community of youth who come from all walks of life and are finding a common ground of premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.  My father was in the FFA and received his jacket many years ago, and continually shares his love of the organization.”

Garin Hoy

“To me, the FFA Jacket stands for a community of people who understand and respect agriculture, food and natural resources, without exploiting it.  Those that wear the jackets seek to gain knowledge both within the classroom and through SAE’s and CDE/LDE’s to give both sides of the story while protecting our precious commodities and Earth. The Blue and Gold Jacket is like a shield of armor in providing our population the food, fiber, and fuels needed to survive.”

Laura Kohler

“Family is like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.” The FFA Jacket represents the roots of our organization and the thousands of members who wear the jacket with pride represent the unique branches. I desire to show my belief in the FFA family by receiving my very own jacket which displays my name.  I want the World to know that I am unique and I am a member of the FFA; the World’s greatest youth organization which is developing leaders of today and tomorrow!   The blue corduroy also reminds me that every person has a place in the organization, and I, as a member, need to encourage people to showcase their strengths while improving their weaknesses.  Everyone has a place in the FFA family!”

Lyndsey Fleck

“Life is a large journey, but the different paths taken and experiences and choices we make are the impactful journeys. The National FFA Organization is one of those impactful journeys I see leading to me a career as a veterinarian.  Through agricultural education courses and opportunities I can take part of through the FFA, I am one step closer to my goal of a challenging and rewarding career.  Yet, what does the FFA jacket mean to me – it is part of the journey to showcase my belief and desire to be part of an amazing youth organization, where I can grow both as a person and towards a career.”

Mara Focht

“In my perspective, the FFA jacket would represent my pride of my involvement in the organization.  It is more than an organization, but a family who is there in the best and worst times of your life.  You are accepted for who you are and we all have a common bond of agricultural education.  It serves as a constant reminder of my love for agriculture and desire to positively promote the industry.  As I have heard from current and former members, there are many conferences, workshops, CDE/LDE, and community service events to get involved and grow as a person.  As a member, the FFA jacket will take me beyond the classroom education and allow me to apply my knowledge and skills to better myself, others and community.”