June 1, 2021 at 4:57 p.m.
FFA leadership
Stockton closing out her term as District VI president; Lyons slated to be fourth from Jay Co. in last six years
FFA leadership
By Amy Schwartz and Bailey Cline-
Since joining FFA her freshman year at Jay County High School, Ava Stockton knew she wanted to be chapter president.
Back then, she had no idea she would eventually become FFA District VI president or that her term would come in the midst of a global pandemic.
From interviewing for the position via Zoom to adjusting in-person events to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, the last year was anything but typical.
“We set a lot of goals this year, both at the chapter and district level, knowing that some of them might not be possible with COVID. That was hard for us as a team since we are such goal-oriented people to just go into it knowing you may not pull of the things you wanted so badly,” said Stockton.
One event Stockton and her team managed to pull off was the district convention. The event included coordinating 100 judges, contestants from the 17 schools in District VI and meals of everyone involved. Stockton was in charge of creating digital record sheets for the event, ensuring each judge had their own laptop, and setting up a Google Meet in each school’s homeroom so that students could present in front of judges without having more than four people in a room. Huntington University hosted the event, the large campus being the ideal environment for following social distancing protocol.
Looking back over the last year’s accomplishments, Stockton is proud of herself and her FFA team.
“It ended up being probably one of the greatest experiences of my FFA career and also in my life,” said Stockton.
After serving as chapter greenhand president (leader of the freshman FFA members), chapter historian, district secretary and chapter vice president, Stockton is sad to be leaving the organization that has played a vital role in her life for the last four years. However, she believes she’s leaving the chapter and district in the best possible hands: those of one of her co-members and best friends, Lucas Lyons.
The 17-year-old junior at Jay County High School was elected chapter president and has been slated for the president of District VI. Delegates will vote on the district slate at the FFA State Convention June 14 through 17 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. If elected, Lyons would be the fourth district president from Jay County in the last six years.
“I’m super excited about being slated as district president because our district is the largest one in the state and it’s an amazing district, there’s lots of great kids and lots of great opportunities,” said Lyons.
Lyons previously served as the chapter greenhand president, chapter secretary, chapter vice president and District VI reporter. He also competed for the Jay County FFA poultry judging, soil, parliamentary procedures and livestock skill-a-thon teams. Lyons’ family has deep roots in FFA, with his older sister Katie serving as chapter and district president in 2016.
Melissa Wolters, a JCHS agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, noted Lyons’ long-term involvement with both FFA and 4-H, and said she feels he would make a great district president.
“He’s hardworking, responsible, if you give him a task, he takes care of it … He’s a good leader, he’s very organized,” said Wolters.
As district president, Lyons wants to take the year to “bounce back” and grow after the pandemic. His main goal is to better connect with the district members. He feels as though the pandemic has created distance between the chapters.
“I want to bridge that gap and piece (the districts) back together,” said Lyons.
Lyons also wants to focus on distributing resources throughout the district after last year’s banquet brought in roughly $39,000. This money helps to pay for state and national district dues, events, travel and other expenses to help alleviate financial burdens from students and parents.
Wolters, Stockton and Lyons agree FFA is an organization for students to develop communication and leadership skills, make connections and gain experience to prepare for their future careers. Wolters believes that both the outgoing and incoming presidents are commendable representatives for the organization.
“They are two outstanding young people, they are going to go far in life. They’re both very organized, very well-spoken, good representations of leaders,” said Wolters.
Back then, she had no idea she would eventually become FFA District VI president or that her term would come in the midst of a global pandemic.
From interviewing for the position via Zoom to adjusting in-person events to abide by COVID-19 restrictions, the last year was anything but typical.
“We set a lot of goals this year, both at the chapter and district level, knowing that some of them might not be possible with COVID. That was hard for us as a team since we are such goal-oriented people to just go into it knowing you may not pull of the things you wanted so badly,” said Stockton.
One event Stockton and her team managed to pull off was the district convention. The event included coordinating 100 judges, contestants from the 17 schools in District VI and meals of everyone involved. Stockton was in charge of creating digital record sheets for the event, ensuring each judge had their own laptop, and setting up a Google Meet in each school’s homeroom so that students could present in front of judges without having more than four people in a room. Huntington University hosted the event, the large campus being the ideal environment for following social distancing protocol.
Looking back over the last year’s accomplishments, Stockton is proud of herself and her FFA team.
“It ended up being probably one of the greatest experiences of my FFA career and also in my life,” said Stockton.
After serving as chapter greenhand president (leader of the freshman FFA members), chapter historian, district secretary and chapter vice president, Stockton is sad to be leaving the organization that has played a vital role in her life for the last four years. However, she believes she’s leaving the chapter and district in the best possible hands: those of one of her co-members and best friends, Lucas Lyons.
The 17-year-old junior at Jay County High School was elected chapter president and has been slated for the president of District VI. Delegates will vote on the district slate at the FFA State Convention June 14 through 17 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. If elected, Lyons would be the fourth district president from Jay County in the last six years.
“I’m super excited about being slated as district president because our district is the largest one in the state and it’s an amazing district, there’s lots of great kids and lots of great opportunities,” said Lyons.
Lyons previously served as the chapter greenhand president, chapter secretary, chapter vice president and District VI reporter. He also competed for the Jay County FFA poultry judging, soil, parliamentary procedures and livestock skill-a-thon teams. Lyons’ family has deep roots in FFA, with his older sister Katie serving as chapter and district president in 2016.
Melissa Wolters, a JCHS agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, noted Lyons’ long-term involvement with both FFA and 4-H, and said she feels he would make a great district president.
“He’s hardworking, responsible, if you give him a task, he takes care of it … He’s a good leader, he’s very organized,” said Wolters.
As district president, Lyons wants to take the year to “bounce back” and grow after the pandemic. His main goal is to better connect with the district members. He feels as though the pandemic has created distance between the chapters.
“I want to bridge that gap and piece (the districts) back together,” said Lyons.
Lyons also wants to focus on distributing resources throughout the district after last year’s banquet brought in roughly $39,000. This money helps to pay for state and national district dues, events, travel and other expenses to help alleviate financial burdens from students and parents.
Wolters, Stockton and Lyons agree FFA is an organization for students to develop communication and leadership skills, make connections and gain experience to prepare for their future careers. Wolters believes that both the outgoing and incoming presidents are commendable representatives for the organization.
“They are two outstanding young people, they are going to go far in life. They’re both very organized, very well-spoken, good representations of leaders,” said Wolters.
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