Members of the 2022-23 North Carolina FFA State Officer Team.
Within the North Carolina FFA Association, six individuals are selected to serve on the state officer team. These officers dedicate a year to supporting and engaging with FFA members across the state. However, people often wonder, “What is life like after state office?”
Abbey Zentmeyer served as a 2020-21 North Carolina FFA state vice president. After office, she continued her junior and senior years at North Carolina State University, where she majored in agricultural education with a minor in animal science. Zentmeyer is now an agriculture teacher at West Rowan High School.
Elisabeth Espino served as the 2021-22 North Carolina FFA state president. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education. Espino then returned to her home chapter at North Lenoir High School to begin her teaching journey.
Destiny Wilson served as a 2022-23 North Carolina FFA state vice president. She then continued her education at North Carolina State University, studying agricultural business management with a minor in law and justice. She’s now working in the office with North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler while pursuing her master’s degree in agricultural business management.
Sydney Loflin served as the 2022-23 North Carolina FFA state president. She’s continuing her education at North Carolina State University and majoring in agricultural science. Loflin has completed two internships at the North Carolina Chamber as well as BASF. She’s currently serving as an officer in her collegiate FFA Alumni and Supporters chapter.
Belle Merlo served as a 2022-23 North Carolina FFA state vice president. After retirement, she continued her education at North Carolina State University and studied animal science with a veterinary bioscience concentration and a minor in teamwork in interdisciplinary biomedical research. She then started working with Pupsi, Inc. and continued her FFA journey by participating in chapter events across the state.
Madeline Chandler served as the 2023-24 North Carolina FFA state president. She’s now a sophomore at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where she double majors in history and human and organizational leadership development. Chandler is very involved in her scholarship program and will be studying abroad in Denmark to learn about Danish culture.
Sydney Whichard served as a 2023-24 North Carolina FFA state vice president. After office, she continued her education at North Carolina State University, where she will receive her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. Whichard is now completing an internship with the North Carolina FFA Association.
“FFA has shaped who I am, and I’m grateful for the opportunities to continue giving back to the organization that gave me so much,” Whichard says.
Bryan Diaz served as a 2023-24 North Carolina FFA state vice president. After his year of service, he continued his education at the University of Mount Olive and completed an undergraduate degree in agribusiness. Diaz then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and is now serving as a U.S. soldier.
Overall, state office has opened a variety of doors for the individuals who have served. Each year, the selected six individuals impact all 48,241 North Carolina FFA members.
Click here if you’re interested in running for state office in North Carolina.
