Kingston FFA president-elect shares message of purpose, meaning

By Teri Jo Kelly
Kingston FFA President-Elect

KINGSTON — The Kingston FFA Chapter was established in 1936 with Paul Thompson as the first Vocational Agriculture instructor. However, in 1942 the program was closed due to World War II and remained closed until 1948.
Bill Bond was the instructor for one year and in 1949, G. C. Blakemore accepted the position and remained until 1963. In 1963 the Vo-Ag program was dropped from the curriculum at Kingston in favor of an enlarged industrial arts program.
With strong support from the community, the program was reopened in 1983, when Richard Thomas was hired as the Vo-Ag instructor. The booster club was essential to the reopening of the program, raising money to build the facilities. Thomas was the instructor at Kingston from 1983 to 2002.
In 2002, Chris Webb was hired as the Ag Ed instructor. During his time, the chapter continued to grow in numbers and impact. Chapter members gave back to the community and worked hard to improve public relations. Webb served as the advisor at Kingston from 2002-2007. In 2007, Amber Atteberry was hired to be the instructor. She served intil the 2012 school year. Chris McGowan is the current instructor.

But an amazing Ag instructor isn’t all you need to have an excellent FFA organization. You need a good foundation and that's exactly what the national FFA association did by implementing the FFA Creed.
Learning the FFA Creed is a daunting task for freshman FFA members. They have to memorize this statement of true belief. The FFA creed is the longest-lasting part of this organization. It was adopted in 1930, at the third National FFA Convention. The FFA Creed is a symbol of basic values and that beliefs are intact, creating a solid foundation for the organization.

But what is so important about the Creed?
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.
I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.
I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.
I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.
I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can and exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.”
Here are my thoughts on the creed:
“…achievements won by the present and past generations…” To me, this encourages me to set higher achievements each time I succeed so that I can be the past and present generation.
“I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others…” This is one of my favorite lines and hold true to this especially as an officer. I feel that everyone should be built up and be respected for trying. 
“…in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so — for others as well as myself…” I think honesty can solve a lot of problems and joys of life can be forever. I want that to be the case for me as well as others.
“I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life…” As an FFA member as well as an officer, I hold true to what I believe is the best and pass it on to other members. I believe anyone can and will benefit from being involved in an agricultural experience, because we stand together as one.

In 1930 the official dress was adopted, men had to wear black dress shoe, black socks, black slacks, a white button up shirt, official FFA tie, and official FFA corduroy jackets. Women had to wear closed-toe dress shoes, black pantyhose, black skirt, a white button-up shirt, official FFA scarf and official FFA corduroy jackets. This helps every FFA member stand for the same thing and that no one could single one person out for being different. This, as well as the Creed, help form our strong foundation.
But that’s not all — we need members who hold true to the belief of the Creed and are involved in FFA activities.
In Kingston FFA, we have many activities such as Alumni Leadership Camp, Advanced Leadership Development , Made for Excellence, livestock showing, land judging, speeches and FFA week. At Alumni Camp, ALD and MFE, we learn about leadership and cooperation. Livestock showing, speeches and land judging are competitions that teach responsibility and friendship. FFA week is fun — chapter officers teach everyone about FFA while playing fun games, expressing friendship, leadership, cooperation and laughter.

Chapter officers are the working parts of an FFA Chapter. They serve as a vital function in FFA. Taking a major leadership role, these students grow from experience and benefit the chapter. They have a goal to lead by example and encourage members to participate in chapter activities. They have a genuine desire to be a part of a leadership team. They accept responsibility; they have a sincere desire to work with all chapter members in meeting leadership, personal and chapter goals.
The Parliamentarian has all the rules on Parliamentary Procedure. The Historian develops and maintains a scrapbook of the chapter’s history. The Adviser supervises chapter activities year-round. The Sentinel welcomes guests and visitors. The Reporter serves the Program of Activities Public Relations Committee. The Treasurer prepares and posts the agenda for each meeting. The Vice President coordinates all committee work. And the president coordinates the activities of the chapter.

In the three years I have been in FFA, I’m glad I made the commitment, because it has paid off big. My senior yea,r I’m the president of Kingston FFA and I meet so many friends in different activities.
As I reflect on my life as a shy, nervous and out-of-place young child, I found what I was missing in FFA. I found love, passion, cooperation and brotherhood. I’m thankful to everyone who helped me become the strong, personable, respectable leader. But most of all, I truly believe in everything you just read‚ from the Creed to the members. I am an FFA member and FFA as helped me be who I am.