Searching For Success

Cassie Morey

Idaho FFA Sentinel

When I was a freshman and sophomore in high school, I didn’t have much of an FFA program. We went to a couple CDEs a year and the State Convention in April and that was about it. I wasn’t very involved in our school’s chapter. In fact, I hardly knew what FFA was besides showing my pig at the county fair. My chapter was extremely small. We had about 20 students involved. At the end of my sophomore year, sadly, my advisor decided that it was time for him to retire. Our school hired a new agricultural educator and little did I know what was in store for my last two years of high school. She had just come in from the University of Idaho with almost no experience. She hadn’t even got to her student teaching, but man, oh man, did she come in ready to teach her passion!

With a little bit of help, there is nothing stopping you from being successful. 

She came and talked to me before her first day of teaching and told me all the amazing things that she had planned for our itty bitty school. From redoing our greenhouse, to electing an FFA officer team, to sending students to Nationals for the first time in years. Her passion rubbed off on me, and I was ready to go. 

I came into her Animal Science class on the first day of my junior year. She was so energetic. She made all of her students write out their names and a couple fun facts about ourselves on a piece of paper shaped like an espresso cup. I vividly remember her telling us at the end of her very first class to “espresso ourselves.” I thought to myself, “That was so dumb. Espresso yourself? Who comes up with something like that?” 

Fast forward to a couple weeks later. She told all of her classes that she was putting out applications to run for Deary chapter office. Surprisingly, there were almost fifteen students who applied for a position, including myself. I spent the next week perfecting my application and preparing for my interview. Once it was over, I felt super discouraged. I didn’t think I did well at all. The next day, it was announced that I had received the position as Chapter Vice President! Wow, did that feel good. I will never forget the moment that my advisor told me. She told me she saw that I had potential and was passionate for what she was teaching us students. 

Sometimes in life, it isn’t about where you’ve been, it’s about where you’re going. When you find someone who is able to see your passion and motivate you to be the best you can be, that’s all it takes. Starting off in a small chapter opened my eyes to all the opportunities that are available in this amazing organization. With a little bit of help, there is nothing stopping you from being successful. 

-Cassie, you too are that person who encourages others and shows them the possibilities! Thank you for sharing your optimism with Idaho FFA this year!