Stoddard County teen among 28 high school seniors to complete FFA academy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Stoddard County teenager is among 28 high school seniors from across Missouri who completed the eighth annual Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence, or HYPE, FFA Academy June 28-30 in Jefferson City.

The three-day academy sponsored by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. is designed to inform and empower agriculture students to effectively engage in issues impacting Missouri farmers.

“The students involved in agriculture education represent the future of our industry,” said MCMC Chairman Clint Stephens of Advance, Missouri. “We are proud to support this effort to give them the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to advocate effectively. As growers, we know the growing importance of becoming actively involved beyond the farm and the vital role our voice plays in determining policy and regulations which impact all of Missouri agriculture. These students will be ready to hit the ground running as they look to advance their education and become active members of the agriculture industry.”

Locally, Wyatt Hendley of Bloomfield participated in the HYPE program.

Other 2022 HYPE participants included: Lauren Bailey, Clinton; Karson Calvin, Troy; Martin Diekmann, Fort Osage; Hannah Fehring, Neosho; Blake Ford, Washington; Lexiss Geile, Perryville; Noah Graham, Clearwater; Wyatt Hendley, Bloomfield; Trey Hoffman, Cass Career Center; Trevor Johnson, West Plains; Natalie Kientzy, Silex; Lauren Lafferty, Centralia; Charles Lewis, Ashland; Kelsey Miller, Warrenton; Owen Neely, Lockwood; Avery Niedholdt, Brunswick; Tucker Robnett, Adurain County R-VI; Mary Schwanke, North Shelby; Caleb Simpson, Bolivar; Ashley Sjostrand, Ashland; Lauren Triplett, Memphis; Sam Tummons, Columbia; Kaleb Vaughn, Sturgeon; Claire Walker, Chillicothe; Mary Warden, Bolivar; Lily Weber, Lamar; Madeline Weber, Orchard Farm; Ava Jo Williams, North Shelby.

Students learned how to effectively talk about their experiences in farming, overcome obstacles and develop their communication and personal skills. Learning sessions included advocacy training, communication basics, and social media outreach. Students heard from farmers, industry representatives, social media influencers, and Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer on how to effectively advocate on issues. The group also toured the Missouri Soybean Center of Innovation to learn more about the advancements and research being done on behalf of farmers.

Wrapping up the academy, participants put their skills into action during mock legislative hearings at the Missouri State Capitol. Students presented key issues to Missouri Sen. Mike Bernskoetter and State Reps. Rusty Black, Kurtis Gregory, Emily Weber, Kent Haden, Louis Riggs, Willard Haley, and Peggy McGaugh. Students also had the chance to meet with Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn.

“This program is unique in that it gives participants tools that they can use in college, in their careers, and in their everyday lives,” said Dakota Pemberton, a two-year team leader of the program. “Over the three-day period, we really challenge them to sharpen their critical thinking and look beyond how an issue impacts them directly to see the bigger picture. By the end, they’ve grown as individuals, as team members, and have the ability to use both facts and emotions when telling their stories and advocating on behalf of agriculture. Not to mention the confidence and knowledge gained by successfully defending their position to legislators.”