by KENDALL FARRAR, Bok North FFA Chapter Reporter
As the school year draws to a close, Bok North FFA celebrates a whirlwind of success, growth, and unforgettable moments. From top rankings at state contests to heartfelt goodbyes, May has been a month to remember—a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and to prepare for what’s ahead.
🌼 Blooming with Success: Gainesville Contest Results
In late April, our chapter hit the road for Gainesville to compete in the Florida State FFA Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration Contest—and our students did not disappoint!
- LaRae Lawson and Aria Patterson placed 7th in Artistic Arrangement with their stunning citrus centerpiece.
- Kendall Farrar and Mya Sullivan claimed 6th in Landscape Design with their creative turtle topiary.
- Brianna Ritchey and Laura Lynn Berkau earned 4th in Production for their impressive indoor aquaponics system and will be recognized on stage this June at the Florida FFA State Convention!
These victories highlight our students’ knowledge, creativity, and dedication to the agriculture industry.
🐐 Cultivating Curiosity: Agriculture Literacy Day
In mid-May, Bok North FFA members brought goats to Babson Park Elementary for a hands-on learning experience tied to the book Blue Ribbon Blues. As students interacted with the animals and recalled facts from their reading, they built stronger connections to agriculture in a fun and memorable way.
To wrap up this year’s Ag Literacy partnership with Garden Grove Elementary, our chapter helped host the school’s end-of-year Luau Celebration. We helped to provide cotton candy, sno-cones, popcorn, and carnival games for the very students we read with all year. It was the perfect send-off and a celebration of the connections we’ve built through agriculture and literacy.
🏆 Banquet Highlights
This month, we joined fellow FFA members in a series of banquets to celebrate regional success:
- We applauded the accomplishments of Lake Wales Senior FFA and Bok Academy South FFA at their events.
- At the Polk County FFA Federation Banquet, Bok North FFA was honored for our high rankings across all levels—and we were thrilled to be named High Point Chapter in Polk County!
🌟 Chapter Banquet: A Night to Remember
On May 17, we hosted our own Bok North FFA Banquet. From handmade decorations to eighth-grade displays, the evening was a true celebration of leadership, teamwork, and growth.
With 111 guests in attendance, we enjoyed steaks with all of the fixings courtesy of Stein Cattle Company, and our officers’ parents; heard from Florida FFA Area 4 State Officer Candidate Clayton Keene, and proudly introduced our 2025–2026 Officer Team:
President: Isabell McKeon
Vice President: LaRae Lawson
Secretary: Grace Sullins
Treasurer: Aria Patterson
Reporter: Kendall Farrar
Sentinel: Kaelynn Lopez
Student Advisor: Mahleya Mitchell
Chaplain: Jackson Dasher
Parliamentarian: Boston Hernandez
Historian: Lane Walker
Public Relations Chairperson: Landen Atkins
Community Chairperson: Josie Allen
Farm/Land Lab Managers: Steven Chen & Annalise Espinal
We look forward to their leadership and vision in the coming year!
💬 Reflections from Our Outgoing Officers
Our departing eighth-grade officers shared words of gratitude and wisdom:
Brianna Ritchey: “My time as an FFA officer was filled with agriculture, leadership, hard work, and life lessons. I’ll always cherish the memories and the bonds I’ve made.”
Emily McNutt: “Ms. Williams and Mrs. Neal transformed my middle school experience. They believed in me and helped me grow into a stronger version of myself.”
Madison O’Neal: “To my fellow officers, thank you for your support. Ms. Williams and Mrs. Neal, thank you for always lifting us up—even when the work was tough.”
LeeAna Deese: “This year taught me that leadership requires courage, faith, and perseverance. I’ve grown so much spiritually and emotionally, and I’m grateful for every lesson.”
🎓 Celebrating Our Eighth-Graders
As the school year came to a close, our eighth-grade FFA members didn’t just shine in agriculture—they also received countless academic and athletic awards, showcasing their all-around excellence. We capped off their middle school journey with a night of joy and celebration, dancing under the stars at Camp Bok.
🐖 Eyes on the Future: SAE Projects
Looking ahead, our Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects are already in motion:
- Calves Maggie and Koda are helping Emily and Kendall develop skills in animal husbandry and nutritional management.
- Our school gilt, June, has been artificially inseminated—piglets are expected just in time for the Central Florida Youth in Agriculture Showcase in March!
These real-world experiences equip students for careers in agriculture while living out the FFA motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn.
🎤 State Convention Bound!
In June, Bok North FFA will represent with pride at the Florida FFA State Convention, competing in:
- Opening/Closing Ceremonies
- Prepared Public Speaking
- Extemporaneous Public Speaking
We’ll also be recognized for:
- Fourth place in Agribusiness & Farm Management
- Excellence in Ornamental Horticulture Demonstrations
- Earning status as a Florida’s Finest Chapter, Premier Chapter, and an Agriculture Advocacy award recipient!
💙 A Farewell and a Fresh Start
To our eighth-grade officers: Thank you for your leadership, your heart, and your service. You’ve left a lasting legacy.
To our returning members and new officers: This is only the beginning. We’ve built something meaningful, and the best is yet to come.
Here’s to more growth, more service, and more unforgettable moments.
May truly was the perfect finale to a remarkable year. 🌟