By Sienna Alexander

National FFA Week is the most eventful time of the year for members of Monrovia FFA. We have events lined up for every day of the week. From a “Kickoff to FFA Week” program with the entire school to dress-up spirit days, Monrovia FFA aims to include everyone in the celebration to both highlight the organization and recruit new members.

This week in February is a special time for our members to connect with the community, be recognized for their accomplishments and encourage others to join the 1 million FFA members across the nation.

My favorite events

I loved the events we hosted in the middle of the week, like our Ag Olympics and Annual Community Chili Cook-Off. Ag Olympics is a series of competitive events, such as cow-milking races, hay bale-toss contests and potato sack races.

To others, this may seem like a silly competition, but for me, this event was an opportunity to share my passion for an organization that taught me about my core values and even led me to my career choice. I would spend the entire evening socializing with new members, asking them about their passions and helping them find a place in the organization I was lucky enough to call home.

The following day, we would host our Annual Chili Cook-Off, a time for the present and past to collide. Community members and FFA alumni members would join us for a meal and discuss how traditions and agricultural life had changed in our small town over the years. Learning from past generations of agriculturists was one of the most rewarding experiences during FFA Week.

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We always wrap up FFA Week with our annual banquet, where new officers are installed into their positions, members are recognized for their hard work throughout the year, and sponsors are awarded for their contributions to the chapter. Although the banquet is a stressful event for the officer team and advisors, it allows members to celebrate their accomplishments. From contests won to the most meetings attended, each one of our members is recognized for their dedication and passion for Monrovia FFA.

I loved watching the members receive their plaques as their faces lit up with joy. After the banquet, we would gather for a home-cooked meal and talk about our favorite memories from the year — a perfect way to end National FFA Week.

Although National FFA Week can be a hectic time, it was and is my favorite week of the entire year. The memories made during this week hold a special place in my heart because, not only could I connect with the roots of Monrovia’s FFA history, but I was also able to see future leaders develop their passions. National FFA Week brings a special light to the Monrovia community.

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Alexander is a 2024-25 Indiana FFA state officer. She writes from Trafalgar, Ind.