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UK Student is First Kentucky Woman Named National FFA Officer
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 16, 2012) — Joenelle Futrell has been involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) since she was a freshman at Daviess County High School. As the years went by, her involvement and leadership roles increased, and recently, the University of Kentucky junior was named the 2012-2013 National Eastern Region Vice President during the FFA national convention in Indianapolis.
Futrell will join four others on the national officer team for training in late November before they begin a journey around the United States, covering more than 100,000 miles over several months to promote FFA, interact with students and engage top leaders in business, government and education. The national officers will lead personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members and also help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.
“My ultimate career goal is to become a teacher,” Futrell said. “I want to earn undergraduate degrees in agricultural education and political science, get a master’s degree and ultimately a doctoral degree in educational leadership or policy. I’d like to teach, mentor and research new methods to affect high school, undergraduate and graduate students, agricultural teachers and industry professionals while being a lifelong advocate for FFA and the agriculture industry.”
In high school, Futrell held the FFA titles of state vice president, regional and chapter president and chapter recruitment and retention committee chairwoman. She won a host of state and national FFA awards from 2007 to 2010 before graduating with honors and in the top 5 percent of her class. She was named a Kentucky AP scholar, received a National Merit Commendation and was a four-year member of a variety of clubs, including the Fine Arts Society and Key Club.
Futrell said she chose UK because she believes the opportunities for growth and learning are endless.
“I knew I would always be supported and pushed to reach a standard of excellence,” she said.
After touring the United States and a trip to Japan, Futrell plans to return to the UK College of Agriculture to complete her degrees.
“I’m looking forward to returning to UK,” Futrell said. “Many times, officers travel and get offers from many other schools, but I love UK and the College of Agriculture. I will always be a Wildcat.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Aimee Nielson, (859) 257-7707.
