Name: Jared Smith
Parents: Tim and Tracy Smith
School: Senior at Purdy High School
FFA Advisor: David Mareth
What do you enjoy about FFA?
“Getting out and learning more about agriculture and being around other people in ag.” Jared also enjoys working on projects, “We just finished building a ramp for a trailer, and my next project is to build a trailer to haul a portable welder with.” Jared also goes to the welding classes offered at the Monett Vo-Tech school. Jared has also participated in showing beef cattle and was on state championship winning Dairy judging team his Sophomore year.
What are your goals as FFA president for Purdy High School?
During the summer school break, the officers attended a leadership retreat. David Mareth, our FFA advisor, explained that the retreat had focus groups to help the kids come up with goals for the new school year, “They are working to get kids more involved in school activities, not just FFA activities, but all school activities.” Jared said, “We are talking to students, especially freshmen, to get them involved in events and take on leadership rolls.”
Future goals?
Jared is very involved in team roping, “I practice every night, and my dad helps me out quite a bit.” Jared and roping partner, Tyler Scott, compete nearly every weekend. He hopes to gain a scholarship and get on a roping team at a college. “I’d like to go into animal science and crop science. I’m interested in backgrounding calves and crops.”
Story and Photo by Sherry Leverich Tucker
