Youth News
Incoming State FFA President has High Hopes for 2014-2015 Officer Team
Sat, 10 May 2014 18:05:16 CDT
The Oklahoma FFA Association wrapped up its 88th annual Convention in Oklahoma City with the naming of the 2014-2015 officer team. Topping the list as president was Garrett Reed of the Locust Grove FFA Chapter. Reed is a student at Oklahoma State University and has served as the Northeast District Vice President on the 2013-2014 State Officer Team.
Reed was interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays. You can hear their full conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story. He also appeared with Hays on his "In the Field" segment on News 9 May 3rd. Click on the PLAY button in the video box below.
Reed began showing animals and then joined FFA in his freshman year in high school. An early success in speaking led him deeper into the organization.
"After that, it really sparked an interest in me to really get involved as much as I could. From that point on I really decided I really wanted to try and go to every livestock judging course, judging contest I could and speech contests and put as much as I could into this organization. I really loved a lot of the friends I made through it and just wanted to have a great time with it."
As a state officer for 2013-2014, Reed said the whole team put in a tremendous effort to bring off this year's state FFA Convention in Oklahoma City. One of their most important and challenging roles, he said, was working with the convention's sponsors.
"We try to set a good standard for the FFA. We try to show them that this is what our members are like. We try to represent the FFA to the best of our abilities to show them that these are the future leaders of our state, of our nation and we really appreciate their support."
Reed said that over the years FFA has done much to change him from a shy, soft-spoken high school freshman into a confident leader and public speaker. For that reason, he wanted to pursue the state's highest office and give back a little of what he has received.
"I ran for president because of the impact this organization has had on my life and the influence the older members had on me," Reed said. "I want to be a person of influence for younger members."
Reed said that he has high hopes for his officer team this year and wants its members to be as approachable and helpful as they can be.
"We just want to do our very best to for the Oklahoma FFA in everything whether that be the leadership conferences that we put on, that we provide the best possible curriculum for them, that we provide the best convention, that we provide the best contests, that everything we do is top notch. We want to show them it's not about us, it's about you and we're here to serve you to the best of our abilities."
Our coverage of the 2014 Oklahoma FFA state contests and the 88th Annual Convention is brought to you in part by your Oklahoma Ford Dealers, a Platinum Level Title Sponsor of the 2014 Convention! Click here to learn more about why Ford is Best in Oklahoma!
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