Orlando, Fla. – Kinsey Ward of the Chiefland Middle FFA Chapter was honored as the “best of the best” as State Star Discovery for the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. Ward was honored at the 84th Annual State FFA Convention.
Ward is involved in many activities that qualify her for the Discovery Star Award, including bookkeeping and pecan farming. But Ward said showing pigs was her favorite because of the competition, socializing and traveling opportunities.
“It’s life for me,” she said. “I mean living on a farm, it’s stuff I have to do everyday.”
“Some advice I’d have for future FFA members would be to keep at it,” she said. “Don’t give up.”
Since she joined FFA in the sixth grade, Ward said she’s wanted to run for subdistrict, district and state office. She said if she gets elected to state office she would run for national office as well. She wore her Uncle James’ 1950s national state officer ring to convention.
She hopes to attend the University of Florida to become either a veterinarian or an agriculture teacher.
Students must apply for the State Star awards by submitting applications to the Florida FFA Association. Candidates are then visited by a panel of judges who select one star in each degree category: Discovery, Greenhand, Placement, Agribusiness, Agriscience and Farmer.
Other finalists for the State Star Discovery were Jonathan Gaylard of the Branford Middle FFA Chapter, Quin Johnson of the Chiefland Middle FFA Chapter and Anna Beth Conrad of the Tomlin FFA Chapter. The award is sponsored by William E. Hamm & Associates, Inc.
About the Florida FFA State Convention
The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience. FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.
About the Florida FFA Association
The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state. FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
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