Thanks to the encouragement of a friend and his friend’s mother, Ethan Haggard of Kremlin-Hillsdale High School joined his local FFA chapter in the eighth grade and he has enjoyed every experience the chapter has to offer.
“I got first got involved in FFA whenever I started my first Ag class in eighth grade and I’m so glad I took that class,” said Haggard. “The person who encouraged me to get into FFA is my long-time friend Bailey Hoeltzel and his mother Samm.”
Once in FFA, Haggard decided to take advantage of the many opportunities the program has to offer. Now serving as an officer, Haggard has several activities which take up a fair amount of his time. “The thing that I enjoy most about FFA is all the fun, sporadic, and sometimes educational moments I have gotten to experience with my closest friends and random people at every single FFA event,” said Haggard. “Within the chapter I serve as the chapter President, I am on the agricultural communications team and the show team, and I am involved in shop activities.”
Being involved in FFA has opened other doors for Haggard including one that allows him to earn some funds on the side. “For the last few year’s I have participated in the broiler show at the Tulsa State Fair. This has led to me to purchase laying hens where I sell the eggs,” said Haggard.
Now a senior, Haggard said he is excited to get the school year underway. He is involved in many things at school from National Honor Society to being on the Academic Bowl team. He is also a member of the basketball, baseball and cross-country teams. And if that was not enough, Haggard is a member of the band as well.
Haggard said anyone interested in being part of an FFA chapter should make the commitment and go for it. “Some advice that I would give someone considering going FFA is do it. You will have so much fun and make some many new friends, it is unbelievable. Also make sure you try new things a step out of your comfort zone. Trust me you’ll have way more fun if you do,” said Haggard.
After graduation next spring, Haggard has plans to attend college with the hopes of working in Law Enforcement one day.
“Right know my plans after I graduate are to go to college at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and major in Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement, in hope of become a Game Warden,” said Haggard.
