CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL the graduating seniors — the Class of 2015! You have made it through all of the trials and triumphs, heartaches and good times, the FCAT, EOCs, and AP exams. I am sure that you tried new things, joined new clubs, and found new happiness. I am also sure that the memories and lasting friendships you have made were worth the challenges you had to overcome.
One of the new things I tried in ninth grade, joining my local FFA chapter, helped bring about the opportunity for me to write an article for Central Florida Ag News. I am so grateful for the friendships and memories I have made throughout my time in the FFA.
This month, while considering what to write about, the one thing that kept coming to mind was to recognize some of the amazing Polk County seniors as they are closing one chapter of their life and opening a new one!
FROM FROSTPROOF MIDDLE/SENIOR, WE HAVE:
• COLE NEWMAN, who is off to Warner University to major in Agriculture Studies and go into the agriculture education field.
• JONATHAN WELLS, who is attending Polk State College to earn his associates in Criminal Justice and serve as a police officer.
• DANIEL WELLS, who plans to attend PSC for Criminal Justice then move up north where he will buy a farm and continue to raise sheep, just as his past generations have done.
• MIRANDA WILLIAMSON, who plans to attend PSC for her A.S. and then transfer to Warner University for her Bachelor’s, majoring in Radiology with a minor in Medical Assistant.
• MORIAH MCCULLERS, who plans on attending PSC for Nursing.
FROM LAKE WALES, WE HAVE:
• BAILEY STANLEY, who is going to Ridge Career Center for Electrical and Welding with hopes to work for a private contractor.
• HARLEY BYRD, who will be attending PSC for her A.A., then transferring to either UF or ABAC to major in Ag Communications and Business.
FROM MORE FFA CHAPTERS IN THE REGION, WE HAVE:
• MAEGAN MAE MEREDITH from Tenoroc FFA, who is hoping to serve Area 4 as their state vice president. After her year of service she plans to attend UF to major in Agriculture Education.
• MEGAN KACHMARIK from Haines City FFA, who plans to attend PSC for Nursing then wants to transfer to USF for Nurse Practitioner.
• THERESA YOHN from Auburndale FFA is attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. to major in Ag Business and Ag Education. Theresa would like to be an ag teacher and run her own taxidermy business.
• MACKENZIE JONES from Kathleen Senior will be attending Travis Career Center for Dental Assisting then becoming a dental hygienist.
• BAILEY BUCHANON from Lake Gibson will be attending Hillsborough Community College, then transfer to UF for Ag Education with hopes to become an ag teacher.
• BRISTOL WELLS will be attending Warner University to major in Diversified Agriculture and minor in Business Management. She plans to work for Publix at corporate.
And lastly, I will be attending Warner University as well to major in Agriculture Studies with hopes of going into the agriculture education and communications field.
By the looks of these majors, we have students from all around who are going to represent Polk County agriculture and then some. Good luck to each and every one of you in all of your endeavors. Remember to keep God first, always pray when you feel weak, and you will come out victorious. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
CREDIT
article by ABBY CRAWFORD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Abby Crawford is the president of the Haines City High School FFA chapter as well as the voice behind 97 Country’s segment, “Ag Time with Abby,” which airs the first Friday of every month during the Breakfast Club with Roger and Melissa. Abby is also the 2014 Polk County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest Winner. For questions, FFA news, or FFA story ideas, email Abby at abbigailreis@gmail.com.
