Kyndall Curtin and Billy Humphrey Honored for CTE Excellence in Agriculture
by SHAYLYNN MARKS
Two Polk County students are being recognized for agriculture achievements through Career and Technical Education programs: Winter Haven High School senior Kyndall Curtin, the county’s CTE Student of the Year for Agriculture, and Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School senior Billy Humphrey, the CTE Student of the Year with Unique Abilities.
Kyndall’s teacher, Sara Garcia, reflects on how the teen’s leadership has become central to the campus program.
“We cannot think of anybody that deserves this honor more than her,” Garcia says.
Billy’s teacher, Ashley Wheeler, says he brings the same kind of dependability to Fort Meade’s agriculture program.
“With Billy, any task that was given to him got accomplished,” Wheeler says.
A Leader In and Beyond the Barn
Kyndall says her interest in agriculture started at home, shaped by family members who worked on the water. Her mother, Kari Thomas, explains that Kyndall spent summers with her grandfather learning the rhythm of the fish house.
“She knew how to drive the boat and clean fish at the fish house. She learned how to throw a cast net,” Thomas says.
That foundation expanded through years of showing animals and participating in FFA. Kyndall currently serves as the program’s president after holding officer roles for three years and has led many different projects.
“She really works as my right hand, delegating so many things,” Garcia says.
Thomas says her daughter’s work ethic has stood out for years.
“She’s very disciplined, and she always has everything planned out,” Thomas says.
Garcia says Kyndall’s presence has impacted the culture of the program, encouraging newer students to take chances and experience agriculture.
“FFA, it’s more like a family. She’s done so much to try to help encourage people to go out and compete,” Garcia says.
Kyndall has pulled many friends into the organization by showing them what’s possible, her mother says.
“Most of her friends have joined FFA because of Kyndall. She would help teach them, show them how to take care of it [animals],” Thomas says.
Recognition Earned Through Hard Work
At Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School, Wheeler says Billy consistently approaches agriculture projects with enthusiasm and dedication.
“Not one time have I ever had Billy say, ‘I’m not doing that.’ It’s always ‘Yes, ma’am, did I do it right?’ ” Wheeler says.
Wheeler says Billy helped lead a meat bird project that raised about 40 birds for community donations.
Wheeler says Billy stepped up when she challenged him to lead.
“Billy was the one that honestly kind of took that role,” Wheeler says.
She says he also was the first to step in when it came time to move the birds.
His mother, Nicole Humphrey, says the award came as a surprise and has her bursting with pride.
His mother, Nicole Humphrey, said the award came as a surprise, and she’s so proud.
“The dean called me … ‘No, Billy didn’t get student of the month. He got Student of the Year in Ag for all of Polk County.’ I’m like, ‘Whoa, my Billy?’ ” she says.
Both students earned recognition through hands-on work and steady follow-through, teachers and parents say.
Kyndall found success in competitive agriculture as well, placing fifth overall in the commercial division at this year’s Polk County Youth Fair.
Asked what she valued most about the experience, she responds, “Taking in everything and appreciating every moment and every conversation with anyone.”
Garcia says the achievement was made more meaningful by Kyndall’s growth during high school.
“She used to be the quietest little thing. And it’s not that she’s loud, but she now has that confidence in herself,” Garcia says.
Where They’re Headed
Garcia says Kyndall has pursued multiple pathways at once.
“She’s completed our Ag Academy program,” Garcia says, “and simultaneously, she’s completed the Medical Academy program.”
Kyndall says her future plans include both medicine and agriculture.
“I definitely am in between, which I’m probably going to become a nurse practitioner and minor in agriculture. So I can still keep that going because I don’t know what yet I want to do in ag, possibly when I’m older, just owning a lot of cattle,” she says.
She goes on to say her experiences outside the classroom have helped her see agriculture as something she can remain connected to long term.
“She juggles so much. She’s also going to be graduating high school with her AA,” Garcia says.
The Perfect Fit
Billy says agriculture class has become the place where he feels most at home.
“I love everything about AG, it’s being there that I love the most,” he says. “I love the outdoors. It’s so fun.”
Billy is interested in diesel mechanics and plans to pursue training at Traviss Technical College after graduation.
Meanwhile, Kyndall offers solid advice to other students: Stay open to learning.
“Always reach for your goals. Always be curious, asking questions… I can always learn something from anyone,” she says.
As they look toward what comes next, both students are proof that agriculture education can open doors, build confidence, and help young people discover their strengths.