Members of the Tioga FFA officer team.
Tioga High School was first introduced to FFA in 2020. At the time, members knew little about the association and agriculture; now, however, they couldn’t imagine their school without it.
Located in the mountains near Yosemite National Park in California, Tioga High School includes 50 enrolled students. Being a small school meant it was hard to imagine that an FFA program would thrive there. Nevertheless, its students had other plans.
The first Tioga FFA officer team slowly adjusted to the almost 100 years of FFA traditions, such as opening and closing ceremonies, monthly chapter meetings and the recognizable blue jackets. These traditions took some getting used to, but the officer team flourished under these challenges and took on every opportunity they could. This officer team then passed on the responsibilities that come with being an FFA officer to the newer generation who’ve built the chapter from the ground up.
When Tioga FFA Secretary Morgan Darrow was asked if she thought that FFA has improved her school’s environment, she said, “From beautiful plants and great welds to leaders and kind friends, FFA has made great improvement on not only the education part of our program but our school’s environment, too.” Darrow adds that she couldn’t image her life without FFA.
Tioga FFA Secretary Morgan Darrow.
Since 2020, the school has incorporated many agriculture elective classes, including horticulture, floral design, animal science, wood shop, agricultural mechanics and welding. Students agree that these classes have improved the education program and are thankful for the new experiences they provide.
Tioga FFA member Sydney Reynolds was first introduced to FFA during her junior year. Although she wishes she had more time in the organization, she is grateful for the time she has spent in it.
“Moving to a new town and school meant it was hard to get involved at the school,” Reynolds says. “Tioga FFA welcomes new students with open arms to join activities and conferences. There are so many new opportunities to experience in FFA. You can get outside of your comfort zone, meet new people and find a passion for the world of agriculture.”
A majority of Tioga High School students were quite skeptical about FFA at first, meaning they weren’t interested in agriculture or the leadership opportunities presented to them through the organization. However, they quickly grew to love it. Whether it’s farm tours, competitions or conferences, Tioga FFA members enjoy many fun moments.
Tioga FFA Vice President Erin McNair.
When Tioga FFA Vice President Erin McNair was asked how she plans to improve the chapter in the coming years, she said, “I plan to encourage others to participate in FFA things outside of our chapter activities.”
This new generation of Tioga FFA officers is ready to take on the responsibilities of being an officer and is eager to see what their future holds.
