When Delainee Ellsworth reflects on her experiences in the Deary FFA Chapter in Idaho, one of the first things she recalls is how meeting others at conferences and conventions changed her life for the better.
“Everyone I met shared a new perspective with me,” she says. “They had different stories, but the blue jacket tied us together.”
Recognizing that not all FFA members may be able to travel and participate in live events, Ellsworth wanted to create opportunities for them to connect with and learn from one another. Thus, during her time as the 2023-24 Idaho FFA state president, the Letters of Light pen pal program was born.
After launching Letters of Light, Delaniee Ellsworth connected pen pals across the country.
To get involved, interested members and FFA Alumni fill out a short Google Form found on the Letters of Light Instagram page (@ffa_letters.of.light). Ellsworth then creates pairings based on responses, and participants connect with each other through the timeless act of exchanging letters in the mail.
In the first 24 hours after Letters of Light launched last November, around 200 people filled out the interest form. Since then, the program has facilitated more than 1,000 pairings.
“I’m so lucky to be a small part of this,” Ellsworth says. “The idea behind [the Letters of Light program] was to help members become part of something bigger than themselves.”
Meeting Face-to-Face
Lauren Argotte, a Lebanon FFA member from Indiana, began writing to her pen pal, Troy FFA member Izzy Penuelas from Idaho, last December. In March, Argotte and Penuelas both attended the National FFA Next Gen Conference: Agricultural Communications, where they were able to meet in person for the first time.
“That week, we were always by each other’s side and talked the entire time,” Argotte says. “It was so sad to leave, but I hope we get to meet up again soon.” Thanks to the program, Argotte says she’s gained helpful advice from Penuelas about both FFA and life experiences.
“[This program] provided an extra outlet where I can meet someone from a different state and continue connecting with them even after my time in FFA has ended,” Argotte adds.
Now that she’s a retired state officer, Ellsworth plans to pass the pen pal program to the next group of leaders who will serve as state officers — creating space for more FFA connections to bloom and flourish in the future.
“The whole [state officer] team gets to be part of this rewarding experience,” she says. “I’m really excited to see what they can do with it and where they take it.”
Find Your Pen Pal
Click here to follow the Letters of Light program on Instagram and submit a pen pal request.
