By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Associate Editor

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Shedding the image that only farm kids can be successful members of the FFA Organization, the new Michigan FFA President Addie Spolyar, who has a passion for agriculture even though she didn’t grow up on a farm, hopes to inspire more non-ag types to join the nation’s leading youth organization – FFA.

“I really want to help students understand that you don’t have to live on a farm to be in FFA,” said Spolyar, of Jonesville, Mich.

“It’s about leadership development and personal growth. Whether it’s giving a speech or participating in a contest, the skills you gain through FFA can be applied in any career. And that’s the case with many other FFA contests and activities even if it’s just about nurturing new social skills.”

During the Michigan FFA State Convention March 9-11 in East Lansing, Mich. Spolyar was elected president of Michigan FFA Assoc.

Joining Spolyar on the state officer team includes: Vice-President Caitlin Pell, of Fremont FFA; Secretary Casie Forbush, of Corunna FFA; Reporter Lindsey Garner, of Byron FFA; Treasurer Katie Jo Genter, of Ulby FFA; Sentinel Mallory Weber, of Hopkins FFA; and six regional vice-presidents -  Region I Vice President Bethany Schreur, of Branch Area Career Center FFA; Region II Vice President Brittny Bommarito of Springport FFA; Region III Vice President Jennifer DeClerg, of Durand FFA; Region V Vice President Sara Fosburg, of Lowell FFA; and Region VI Vice President Connor Hubbard, of Alcona FFA.
In order to become a Michigan FFA State Officer, qualified applicants must complete six rounds of interviews in February nearly one month before the state convention, leaving a lot of time for anxiety build-up, according to Spolyar. Interview rounds include a one-on-one, group interview, ag issues discussion, round robin, a stand-and-deliver speech presentation and a FFA knowledge test.

“It was one of the most intense experiences of my life,” said Pell, who grew up on a 220-cow dairy farm in Fremont, Mich. “There was a lot of competition – everyone wanted it. It’s great to know there are people that care about the organization as much as I do.”

Once the interview process concluded, the panel of judges deliberated and the field of candidates waited nearly two weeks to hear word on the selection of the FFA officer slate. Then, finally, on the Thursday evening of state convention, the slate was announced, Pell recalled.

“It was beyond nerve-racking,” she remembered, vividly. “During that process, 18 of us became more than just friends – we became family.”

According to Spolyar, only 12 people were slated. Anyone not slated could then run for regional vice-president, of which there were six regional positions available.

Leading up to the moment when the slate was revealed, Pell said her heart felt like it would beat right out of her chest.

“It’s a feeling I couldn’t even imagine. I was crying … just so happy. It was a remarkable experience,” she said.”

After the slate is announced, delegates from each of the Michigan FFA chapters vote on each individual office. The slate lists two individuals under president, two for secretary, two for reporter, two for treasurer and two for sentinel.

Each candidate gives a brief speech in front of the delegates before the ballot votes are cast. Those individuals not elected for one of the main positions, can then drop down and run for one of the six regional positions, with the exception of the president and vice-president. For the two slated in the president position – whoever is not elected president automatically becomes vice-president.

“I’ve been in FFA for five years and now I know that my hard work has paid off and I get to give back to all of those who helped me. I’m so excited,” said Pell, who was pleased with her new vice president title.

“The first thought going through my mind was how proud my advisor would be, then my family and friends – it was an amazing feeling,” added Spolyar.
Spolyar explained that once the final vote was cast, all 18 candidates hustled over to the main auditorium and waited for their names to be called on stage.

“There was a lot of anxiety, to hear your name called is an overwhelming feeling. Then to be together with your new team is a great feeling,” she said.
The majority of the state officer team, according to Pell, will attend Michigan State University in the fall. Pell will major in animal sciences while Spolyar plans to study nursing.

“We’re required to take one day off during the week, where we work in the state (FFA) office located in the Natural Resources building on campus,” said Pell.

One of Pell’s personal goals for the upcoming year of service to visit one FFA chapter per week.

With a 12-hour course load at Michigan State, Pell admits it could be a challenge, but “if they want us (state officers) to be there, we want to make every effort to be there.’

Spolyar agreed and echoed that “the biggest challenge in the coming year will be balancing school and the state office, but we have a large team and that is something we believe is in our favor. We’re going to try to get to as many things as we can. Prioritizing and scheduling are skills we’ll become quite accustomed to.”

“I’m really looking forward to getting out and meeting the members,” said Spolyar, adding that there are 5,500 Michigan FFA members in total.

“FFA has had such an impact on my life – it has helped build my confidence. I’m looking forward to serving them and making great memories to last a lifetime.”
Next week, Spolyar and Pell will continue the momentum during the National Leadership Conference for State Officers in Bowling Green, Ky. to learn how to conduct workshops for the Michigan membership.

When they return, the newly-unified and trained state officer team will organize the State Leadership Conference for Chapter Officers (SLCCO) from July 7-8 at the Lexington Hotel in East Lansing.

According to Pell, SLCCO is a two-day workshop to help chapter officers learn how to plan workshops and events, as well as provide an opportunity for the chapter officers to bond.

Pell added that the “majority of chapters” in the state “make an effort to attend.”

“I’m very excited for the coming year,” explained an enthusiastic Spolyar. “We’re going to be able to accomplish many goals we have as individuals and as a team. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be a great year for Michigan FFA.”