Leah Dickens is a member of the varsity softball team at Hennessey High School, and she is a member of the FFA chapter. Two activities that take up nearly all of her time.
“Softball and FFA takes up all of my time,” said Dickens. “I joined FFA in my eighth grade year, but I have been involved in 4-H and FFA since I was nine years old.”
It was a family member who encouraged her to join FFA.
“My dad was the one who encouraged me to start getting involved with the 4-H and FFA and by the time I got to eighth grade I loved it,” said Dickens.
Now a freshman at Hennessey High School, Dickens is excited to see how far she can take FFA the next four years. There are plenty of activities she is looking forward to trying.
“My favorite part of the FFA is going new places and meeting new people and trying new things,” said Dickens. “I am a chapter officer this year, I am doing meat judging, and I am trying to get a floriculture team together.”
Dickens also shows cattle and is ready for another season showing. Dickens also said anyone interested in FFA should plan on being very busy.
“If you are planning on being very active it is a lot of hard work, but I promise, if you put in the time and effort it will pay off,” said Dickens.
As a member of the softball team, Dickens said she enjoys being part of something bigger than herself and she loves her teammates.
“I love being on the softball team because I grew up around softball and found a love for it at a very young age and just kept playing,” said Dickens. “I love being a part of something bigger than myself and to be a part of something that I grew up with and around is very important to me.”
For Dickens, family comes first and their influence has played a huge role in her life.
“My family is very important to me. When I was little my aunt was showing cattle in high school, my dad showed hogs in high school, and my mom showed sheep in high school, so I really wanted to show, and when I was nine my dad went and bought me a steer,” said Dickens.