2011 - 2012 National FFA Secretary Jason Troendle

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011/National FFA Organization) – At age 5, Jason Troendle’s father gave him his first fishing pole and the two set out for a day on the banks.

He concentrated on his three-foot-long Snoopy fishing pole with matching Snoopy bobber and pulled in sunfish after sunfish. Not liking to touch anything slimy, Troendle would have his father take each fish off the line and then bait his hook for his next big catch.

“The day my dad gave me my first fishing pole, he epitomized love through not just words and encouragement but in his actions as he baited my hook over and over and removed everything I caught,” he recalls. “As years have passed, I realize that lesson of love taught me that sharing love with those who surround me is a deep responsibility.”

When his first day of fishing came to an end, Troendle’s father told him that if he were going to fish in the future, he’d have to bait his own hook and remove his own fish. “It wasn’t long before I learned that touching worms and fish wasn’t horrible at all,” he recalls. “I have learned so much through my love of fishing.

“Love and learning. Fishing helped to define two core values that would guide me through my journey of life.”

Today, Troendle took another step on his journey of life. As a conclusion to the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Troendle was elected National FFA secretary for 2011-12.

Joining Troendle to serve as national FFA officers for 2011-12 are Ryan W. Best of New Mexico as National FFA president, Kenneth D. Quick Jr. of New York as Eastern Region vice president, Alicia Hodnik of Wisconsin as Central Region vice president, Cain Thurmond of Georgia as Southern Region vice president and Seth Pratt of Idaho as Western Region vice president.

Originally from St. Charles, Minn., Troendle is currently a freshman at Bethel University majoring in economics and environmental studies. He is the son of Fred and Sandra Troendle and a member of the St. Charles High School FFA Chapter in St. Charles, Minn., led by advisors Craig Will and Willie Lubahn.

“Through FFA and agricultural education, I have been able to learn many things,” he said. “I’ve learned it is vital to set short- and long-term goals that can guide me where I want to go and what I want to do. I’ve learned that doing the right things, being committed to myself and others and taking responsibility for my actions are the only ways I will succeed.”

For the next year, Troendle and his national officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they’ll travel more than 100,000 miles throughout the country as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the National FFA Organization and promote agricultural literacy in general.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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2011 - 2012 Central Region Vice President Alicia Hodnik

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011/National FFA Organization) – Alicia Hodnik knows that it takes a mere instant to make a lasting impression.

When recently touring the U.S. Naval Academy, she became enthralled at the chance to experience the history and importance of the landmark. Eager to soak up every moment she could, she grabbed her camera and sprinted up the steps of the building as fast as she could to beat the throngs of other tourists behind her.

She blasted through the doors and after rounding a corner collided with something or someone, she recalls. Dazed and picking herself and her camera up off the floor, she discovered that she ran into a U.S. Navy officer.

“He was our tour guide that day. I remember him genuinely shaking hands and greeting people in a very personal way as they entered the chapel,” Hodnik recalls. “He led the group around with a sense of ownership and pure devotion. I sensed that his heart was filled with integrity and commitment for his country, his branch of service, the academy — everything.”

Once the tour was over and everyone was leaving, the officer singled Hodnik out from the crowd and said to her, “No matter what happens, make sure you remember this day, these sights and these smells. No matter what.”

Hodnik said that she’ll never forget her experience at the academy – especially the impression that naval officer made on her life in just a brief moment.

As a conclusion to the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Hodnik was elected National FFA Central Region vice president for 2011-12.

Joining Hodnik to serve as national FFA officers for 2011-12 are Ryan W. Best of New Mexico as National FFA president, Jason Troendle of Minnesota as national secretary, Kenneth D. Quick Jr. of New York as Eastern Region vice president, Cain Thurmond of Georgia as Southern Region vice president and Seth Pratt of Idaho as Western Region vice president.

Originally from Walworth, Wis., Hodnik is a sophomore at University of Wisconsin at River Falls pursuing a major in agricultural education with an emphasis on biotechnology. The daughter of Fred and Debra Hodnik and Donald Weber and Sharon Montgomery, she is a member of the Big Foot Union High School FFA Chapter in Walworth, Wis., led by advisors Rick Henningfeld and Lisa Konkel.

“A national FFA officer sometimes only gets a moment of time to meet someone and make a difference,” she said. “Whether five or 500 feet away, my influence must always be strong. The challenge is, I’ll never know what small moment will be the one that changes a person’s life.”

For the next year, Hodnik and her national officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they’ll travel more than 100,000 miles throughout the country as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the National FFA Organization and promote agricultural literacy in general.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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2011 - 2012 Western Regin Vice President Seth Pratt

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011/National FFA Organization) – Seth Pratt discovered his love of FFA when he attended the annual national FFA convention as a freshman in high school.

Since, he’s been involved in member drives and competitions. He has served as committee chairman, a chapter officer and an Idaho state FFA officer – even as the Idaho FFA president.

“Through these roles, I’ve met thousands of other FFA members, developed self-confidence, learned to communicate with others and realized the broad scope of agriculture on a national and global basis,” he said. “As an FFA member, I strive every day to achieve my three personal goals, which are to influence others using my individual strengths and experiences, strengthen industry relationships and encourage agricultural you into leadership roles.”

As a conclusion to the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Pratt was elected National FFA Western Region vice president for 2011-12. Now, he’ll have a chance to teach hundreds of thousands of FFA members how they can set their personal goals and achieve them.

Originally from Blackfoot, Idaho, Pratt is freshman at the University of Idaho majoring in agricultural science, communications and leadership. The son of Mark and Wendy Pratt, he is a member of the Blackfoot High School FFA Chapter, led by advisor Travis Henderson.

“I have been involved in agriculture my entire life,” he said. “The values of hard work, honesty and family come from my rural lifestyle. As a national officer, I will lead others through connect relationships, defined purpose and clear communications. Making a difference gives my life meaning. I will make a difference as a National FFA officer through my year of service – and beyond.”

For the next year, Pratt and his national officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they’ll travel more than 100,000 miles throughout the country as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the National FFA Organization and promote agricultural literacy in general.

Joining Pratt to serve as national FFA officers for 2011-12 are Ryan W. Best of New Mexico as National FFA president, Jason Troendle of Minnesota as national secretary, Kenneth D. Quick Jr. of New York as Eastern Region vice president, Alicia Hodnik of Wisconsin as Central Region vice president and Cain Thurmond of Georgia as Southern Region vice president.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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2011 - 2012 Southern Regional Vice President Cain Thurmond

INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011/National FFA Organization) – Cain Thurmond achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He earned numerous academic and leadership awards in high school and college. He’s served summer missions to Peru.

And now, he’s a National FFA officer.

As a conclusion to the 84th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Thurmond was elected National FFA Southern Region vice president for 2011-12.

“My life has been shaped by the emptiness of the roads in my Jefferson, Ga., community on Sunday mornings, droves of people at Saturday Farmers’ Markets, dust-covered floors in agricultural education classrooms and the love and support from my family and my community,” he said. “I’m looking forward to taking my life experiences and helping lead the National FFA Organization as a national officer.”

For the next year, Thurmond and his national officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they’ll travel more than 100,000 miles throughout the country as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the National FFA Organization and promote agricultural literacy in general.

Originally from Jefferson, Ga., Thurmond is the son of Phil and Susie Thurmond. He is a freshman at University of Georgia majoring in agricultural and applied economics. He is a member of the Jefferson High School FFA chapter in Jefferson, Ga., led by Ken Bray, David Calloway and Cliff Tippens.

“Representation is more than a title. It is dedication, loyalty and believing in the calling of your organization,” he said. “Nothing we do on Earth will last forever. But if I make a positive difference in the life of someone else, there is no limit to how far that good deed may last.”

Joining Thurmond to serve as national FFA officers for 2011-12 are Ryan W. Best of New Mexico as National FFA president, Jason Troendle of Minnesota as national secretary, Kenneth D. Quick Jr. of New York as Eastern Region vice president, Alicia Hodnik of Wisconsin as Central Region vice president and Seth Pratt of Idaho as Western Region vice president.

Formerly known as Future Farmers of America, the National FFA Organization provides agricultural education to 540,379 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,489 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download