Menifee County FFA members share a heartfelt hug after their banquet.
Eyes filled with tears, arms heavy with awards and hearts content with pride. A barrel of mixed emotions ran through FFA members, advisors and attendees as the 2024 Menifee County FFA banquet came to a close.
For seniors, it was a bittersweet farewell to their time in FFA as they reflected on the memories and personal growth along the way. For freshmen, it offered a glimpse of the possibilities ahead.
Menifee County FFA Advisor James Kash shared his own mixed emotions, recognizing the deep impact the program has on its members.
“It’s a strange mix of fulfillment and sadness,” he says. “It’s fulfilling to see the growth in students year after year, but it’s hard to say goodbye to those you’ve grown close to in four years. The long days suddenly feel like they passed too quickly. Still, looking forward, you realize the work of teaching and mentoring never ends. Soon, new faces will take their place.”
As anticipation built for opening ceremonies, the “So God Made a Farmer” poem echoed through the gymnasium as the 2023-24 Menifee County FFA officer team stepped out. The opening ceremonies took place on stage, setting the tone for the night.
Soon after, awards were announced recognizing the hard work, dedication and triumphs members had throughout the year. This was an opportunity not only for members to be recognized but also for the chapter to inform the community about what goes on inside the classroom walls.
“My grandparents only know how successful our chapter is through what I tell them and what they see on Facebook,” says Menifee County FFA Secretary Ella Smallwood. “Having a ceremony to celebrate our achievements helps the community and less involved students see how much work goes into every event and competition and how that effort translates into success.”
As the awards drew to a close and the 2024-25 officer team was installed, voice recordings from each senior FFA officer played. These offered heartfelt tributes to the officers’ parents, who were then honored with the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree.
“Time Marches On” played softly as tears fell and hearts grew heavy. Senior FFA members unzipped their jackets for the final time to be hung up and retired.
Senior FFA officers retire their jackets.
Reflecting on his journey, 2024-25 Kentucky State FFA Sentinel and former Menifee County President Jameson Williams said, “Last year at the banquet, I didn’t know if I’d ever put on the jacket again. Now, I’m serving as a Kentucky FFA state officer, and being from such a great chapter helped me get here. I’m incredibly blessed. The chapter and the organization have a bright future, and as time moves on, more members are getting involved and eager to be a part of it.”
Finally, as the newly installed officer team left the stage, the lights dimmed, and a video began that showcased pictures and videos filled with memories from the year. Laughter mixed with tears as the room reflected on the moments shared.
The night came to a heartfelt close, emphasizing the well-known phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short.”
