There are a few times a year when I LOVE social media. The first one is right around mid-August when all the children are returning to school.
I really enjoy seeing the first day-of-school photographs people share. Children grow and change year-to-year and often they resemble a parent who we knew while we were growing up. It is amazing how fast time flies when you are raising your family. I just wiped off the February calendar to look at what we had going on for March and thought, “goodness, this month flew right by!”
Another time of the year that I love social media, is in February during National FFA Week. Many of my college alumni friends are involved in agricultural education. I enjoy seeing what students do to celebrate this special week each year. I have a friend from high school in Missouri who loves to share “throwback” photographs of people we knew from school 20-plus years ago. The hairstyles have changed, but the deep pride of wearing the blue and gold jacket has not changed at all.
From drive-your-tractor to school days to kicking off fundraisers, National FFA week is a busy one for FFA members and their advisors. Seeing our children participate in this special tradition has been rewarding.
This year, our local Elkins FFA Alumni Booster Club chapter was asked to help the students host a teacher appreciation breakfast at our local high school. This entailed coordinating with some parents and supporters to get to the Ag Shop early on a Friday morning to set up cooking appliances. I started my day early that morning mixing up more pancake mix than I have ever seen in my life. Thankfully, our volunteers showed up and worked efficiently to prepare a great breakfast. The coffee was perking, and we were ready to go when the first faculty members arrived.
Our local FFA members showed up in their jackets to serve faculty, staff and bus drivers to show them how much they are appreciated. Our high school principal and assistant principal came and showed their support. I lost count of how many we served that morning, but my hope is that this is an event that grows every year in our local school district.
As community members, we do an amazing job of supporting local school sports teams in all their achievements. I am very thankful for the students who participate in our band, Future Business Leaders of America chapter and of course, FFA and other student organizations. These students do a wonderful job of representing other aspects of leadership and service in our local rural communities. There are many notable people who have donned the corduroy jacket who have gone on to make a lasting impact on our state.
National FFA week has ended for 2024, but we can celebrate agriculture and career technical students in our local communities all year long.
These students deserve the very best support from our local community members. What can you do? From donating to the local fundraisers to volunteering to be a practice judge as these hard-working teachers prepare students for competitions, there is no shortage of ways for you to help. It starts with seeing what needs to be done and using your time, talent, and treasure to help. I hope more and more communities get involved with these great student organizations, neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
