FREDERICKTOWN — On Friday, February 25th, the Fredericktown FFA Chapter hosted the National FFA Eastern Region Vice-President Mallory White as she traveled around the country to celebrate National FFA Week.
In attendance with Mallory was National FFA Staff Member, Celya Glowacki. Also in attendance as guests for the day was State FFA President, Jake Zajkowski and State FFA Manager, Katy Endsley. According to the Fredericktown FFA Advisor, Debra Burden, hosting a national officer is so rare, that it is usually a “once in a lifetime opportunity for students to have this experience”.
To our knowledge this is the first time a national officer has visited Fredericktown High School students for such an event.
Mallory White is one of six student members that was elected at the National FFA Convention in October to serve the National FFA Organization as a national FFA officer for a year. The primary responsibility of a national officer is to serve the organization in local, state, national and international activities in a way that will inform, motivate and inspire FFA members, advisors, state staff, teachers and others to achieve the mission, strategies and core goals of the organization.
National officers dedicate one year of service with the organization. The time is spent representing student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitating workshops that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA members, delivering motivational speeches and serving as advocates for FFA on a global scale.
Mallory is from Sturgis, Kentucky where she was a member of the Union County FFA. Prior to her election to National office, she served as the 2020-21 Kentucky FFA President. She is currently taking a gap year to serve the national organization from Murray State University where she is majoring in Agronomy with an emphasis in production and sales.
She comes from a background that is rich in production agriculture, she always knew she wanted to join the organization that advocated for the family’s livelihood and future. A family friend, who was an agriculture teacher, made sure that desire came true. White hopes to accomplish two goals this year: to diminish the stigma of competition in the organization and reignite the excitement for the future of agriculture with members, supporters, and other stakeholders.
“I’ve found that many times, our members — myself included — have developed an unhealthy perception of competition. Often, we compete in something to leave a legacy no deeper than a title. We take the educational importance of our career and leadership development events out of the question. I want to remind our members of the educational value of our events so they truly get the most out of our organization. I will work every day to leave everyone I encounter this year feeling excited about the direction our industry is headed.”
While visiting Fredericktown HS/MS for the day, Mallory White conducted a variety of leadership workshops for current and potential FFA members, enjoyed a catered lunch provided by the Fredericktown FFA Alumni, took a few quick minutes for a few pictures at the original FFA town sign on SR95 just north of town, the historical sign at the HS/MS, and visited with students that were dressed up for Cowboy/Farmer Day as part of the National FFA Week celebration. She then conducted an interactive leadership / motivational speaking assembly in the HS gym where she encouraged students to not only surround yourself in a positive environment but to grow to also be part of the positive environment for others.
FFA Senior, Makayla Scott enjoyed Mallory’s encouragement to “do positive things out of your comfort zone to help you build character.”
Another FFA Senior, Andrea Smith, was inspired “that there are always new ways to grow and prosper and you can find your way in this big world.”
