FFA – Enhancing Skills You Already Have

2014 Sidney High School graduate Emily Schaff sets her sights on Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT to pursue her educational goals and studies in Communication.

Growing up in Sidney, Schaff was involved in 4-H but wasn't raised on a farm or ranch. She became involved in the National FFA Organization during her 8th grade year due to the influence of her parents, Gary and Mary Schaff.

Her father, Gary, retired from Sidney schools this year after teaching Agriculture for the past 19 years and her mother, Mary, has worked at the Eastern Ag Research Center since 2006. Both her parents grew up on farms.

During her 8th grade year, Emily competed in The Creed Speaking competition during Leadership Day and took first place in the district. However she wasn't able to compete at the state level because she was not a high school student. After this and throughout her high school years in FFA, she realized her potential in public speaking and was very involved in Prepared Public Speaking and in Extemporaneous Public Speaking competitions.

Schaff states, "I want others to know that FFA is not just a group of farm kids, or a group to hang out with. You don't have to live on a farm to be involved in FFA. FFA helps kids to harness talents and enhance skills they already have. They help kids prepare to be successful in life."

Schaff's career goal is to work for the National FFA Organization or the Montana FFA Organization. It sounds like she's off to a great start.