LANCASTER, Ohio — Fairfield High School graduate Ryan A. Matthews was installed as state FFA president for 2017-18 at the Ohio State FFA convention May, 5 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.

 

Matthews has previously served as state vice president at large.

That was an honor in itself, but, “My dream of becoming a state officer began in the stands of the convention four years ago. I was sitting in the top row of the arena and listening to the names of the officers being called.

“Right then and there I know that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to be up on that stage. I just used my passion, my strength and grit to get here.”

Matthews is looking forward to leading the new group of officers into a revised Ohio FFA organization that he describes as “diverse.”

“The Ohio FFA is changing and is becoming more diverse each year, and even with our newly elected officers there’s diversity,” he said.

While the upcoming year is sure to be thrilling for Matthews, he looks to the past year as his foundation. “This past year was simply amazing. I learned that every member out there has a story and a good reason for putting on that jacket. This time around I’m anxious to meet new members and hear more stories.”

Matthews said he is anxious to work with newly elected officers, who include Kacey Reinhart (vice president, Wayne Trace), Koleson McCoy (secretary, Global Impact STEM Academy), Emily Mullen (treasurer, Talawanda Butler-Tech), Evan Callicoat (reporter, Northeastern) and Marleigh Kerr (sentinel, Anthony Wayne).

The vice presidents at large include Carley Coppler (Carey High), Milan Pozderac (Fredericktown), Emma Sterwerf (Talawanda Butler-Tech), Lane Heil (Tri-Valley) and Phillip Eberly (Northwestern-Wayne).

“I’m just as pumped up and filled with energy right now,” Matthews said. “I’m so ready to start this new year.”

Ohio FFA also welcomed new chapters this year, and those include Arcanum-MVCTC, Bradford-UVCC, Mid-East CTC Buffalo Campus, Northwest and Springfield-Clark CTC.

For those associated with Arcanum FFA, it was especially rewarding. After 20-plus years without an agricultural education program and FFA, chapter representatives from the school accepted the official charter from 2016-17 State FFA President Mary Buehler and State Advisor Matthew Winkle.