VYPE Magazine editor Brad Heath caught up with the Laverne High School FFA officers to hear why they love being part of FFA and what their plans are after high school. A big thank you goes to Sandi Kolbe for setting this up and to Madeline Long-President, Austin Bradt-Vice-President, Makayla Goree-Secretary, Kolby Kamp-Treasurer, Whitley Cash-Reporter, and Mikayla Spady-Sentinel for taking part. 

VYPE: When did you first get involved in FFA?

Long: I became involved with FFA my eighth grade year.

Bradt: I showed animals from a young age in 4-H, and it was time to move up into FFA with me just to keep showing and getting more involved with what FFA had to offer.

Goree: I had three older siblings that were all in FFA, so I saw different parts of it before I was ever old enough to join. I loved it and couldn’t wait for my eighth grade year when I finally got involved in my first agriculture class. 

Kamp: I live on a farm and ranch and help my family run it, I have been involved in 4-H and FFA my whole life showing livestock.

Cash: I got involved in FFA as an eighth grader.

Spady: I was first involved in the FFA in the eighth grade.

VYPE: What activities are you involved in with FFA?

Long: I participate in extemporaneous speech, Ag Communications, and I also have stocker pens.

Bradt: I’m involved with many activities that the FFA has to offer including speech, ag shop, livestock judging, meats judging, and farm business management team. I also show animals, pigs and sheep.

Goree: I have done a lot of activities and competitions throughout my time in FFA. Some of my favorites have been livestock judging, food science, quiz-bowl, opening and closing ceremonies, and speech. Each of these takes a lot more time than you would think. I don’t even know how many hours I have spent studying and memorizing materials. 

Kamp: I am involved in livestock judging, and speech. In the last few years, I have begun to raise show pigs.

Cash: I am involved in speech contests and floriculture CDE.

Spady: I love being involved in public speaking and competing in competitions.

VYPE: What have you enjoyed most about FFA?

Long: I have enjoyed making connections with people through the organization and learning life skills that will help me in the future.

Bradt: All the people I have met through my five years in the FFA organization.

Goree: The lifelong friends I have made, I couldn’t ask for more. This organization has given me friends all over Oklahoma and even some from other states. 

Kamp: I have enjoyed going to new places and meeting new people, I also enjoy representing our chapter.

Cash: I have enjoyed getting to meet new people and getting more involved in my community.

Spady: I have mostly enjoyed getting to travel and compete but also making lots of new friends in the FFA.

VYPE: What are your plans after you graduate?

Long: I plan on attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the fall of 2021. I also plan on getting a degree in early childhood education.

Bradt: I plan to attend college and get a degree in Agriculture Education.

Goree: I’m still not sure where I want to go to college. I do know that I want to major in a pre-medical science and minor in psychology. After completing these, I will apply to medical school with hopes of one day becoming a surgeon. 

Kamp: I plan to go to Northwestern Oklahoma State University and get a degree in agribusiness. I also plan to continue to raise and sell show pigs at a higher level.

Cash: I plan to go to college and get a degree somewhere in sports medicine. 

Spady: After I graduate, I would love to go to college and become a preschool teacher.