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Show Peacock and Brocious Chosen as FFA State Officers Sawyer Peacock, son of Lance and Anna Peacock of Pleasant Grove, was chosen as the Future Farmers of America Amer-ica State Sentinel Officer 2011-2012. Matt Brocious, son of Mike and Corinn Brocious Bro-cious of Pleasant Grove, just completed his year serving as the FFA State Vice President 2010-2011. "For two great kids in Pleasant Grove to win state office is big," stated Anna Peacock. Sawyer admitted that he was quite shy. FFA has helped him speak in front of people and focus on getting good grades in school. His most memorable moment was when his name was called for state officer. Matt loves FFA because it helps him see his potential. He is grateful for the opportunity oppor-tunity to see the world, meet kids all over the country who are interested in the same things he is, and work with businesses for sponsorships. Because of his involvement with FFA, Matt plans to study agriculture education at Utah State with the hopes of being a teacher some day. Each year six students are selected from across the state to help run and monitor the FFA program in Utah. These six students are known as state officers. Each chapter in the state has the opportunity to send a candidate to run for an office position, so there are a wide variety of students that run. Each candidate is elected by state FFA convention delegates. del-egates. Each student must fill out an application, write an essay, go through several interviews and do a personal and group presentation. Hard work, commitment and a passion pas-sion for service is required. To become a state officer one is required to have earned or be earning the year they are running their state degree. This is the highest degree that the state can bestow to its member. There are various ways that one can earn their state degree but all of these tie back to the project they chose to do when the students began their FFA career. FFA members who work jobs have to productively earn and invest in-vest $1,000 or those that are doing an entrepreneur experience expe-rience have to work 350 unpaid un-paid hours and earn and invest $500. To prepare to become a state officer many hours are spent studying farm facts that affect the country and state today. Students are also given several public speaking opportunities to help them become more comfortable in front of groups and learn how to express themselves. "As Sawyer's and Matt's advisor I tried to make sure that all of the information that I taught them in class was current and we would discuss the different issues that are making waves in the nation and the state," stated FFA Advisor Suzanne Hadfield. "I also tried to place them in different competitions com-petitions that provided public pub-lic speaking opportunities. These competitions not only allow the student to express their thoughts, but they have to use problem solving skills to accomplish different tasks, and work closely with others to complete their projects." Another thing that Miss Hadfield does to help stu- This year Sawyer Peacock was selected to serve as the State Sentinel Officer. Matt Brocious completed his year of service in March as the State Vice President. Photo courtesy of Timpanogos Times dents prepare to run for a state office position is encourage them to become a chapter officer. of-ficer. Chapter officers are in charge of planning and running run-ning the monthly activities that the chapter puts on during the year. This not only gives them leadership opportunities, opportuni-ties, but it also teaches them how to work with others and through differing opinions. Along with being a chapter chap-ter officer Miss Hadfield takes the students to different leadership lead-ership conferences that teach them skills that allow them to' be more personable and when it is appropriate to work alone and in groups. Miss Hadfield stated, "I honestly believe that experience is the best teacher when it comes to students. stu-dents. The more experiences that students are exposed to, the easier it is for them to develop de-velop professional, working relationships that allow them to effectively communicate with all those around them." |
