After seeing the impact national officers had on students’ lives at her first national FFA convention, Monica Coker decided she wanted to have that same influence.
“I want to do that on a national level,” said the sophomore agricultural education major at Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia. “I want to impact the lives of kids. I believe that I have that ability to be influential in a child’s life.”
In August, Coker took one step closer to her dream when she was chosen as the representative from Arkansas to run for national office. Since that time, she has been preparing for the interview process that will take place in October.
“During the summer I will study the history of the FFA and agriculture issues,” she said. “I am also looking into internship opportunities.”
If elected to one of only six national officer positions, Coker will be required to leave school and spend an entire year traveling.
“National officers live out of a suitcase,” she said. “They are always on the go around the country spreading agriculture literacy.”
National FFA officers are responsible for serving and representing more than 490,000 FFA members. Officers represent the image and direction of the National FFA Organization to teachers, state staff, teacher educators, agriculture industry executives, government leaders, the media, and the general public.
“The experience of being a national officer will be exciting,” she said. “It will be an opportunity to see the country.”
While at SAU, Coker has been involved with the Association of Baptist Students, College-FFA, Agri Business Club, and Alpha Tau Alpha, the agricultural education national honor society.
After finishing her studies at SAU, Coker plans to spend time in the classroom helping students.
“I hope I can find an FFA chapter to teach,” she said. “I want to be in the classroom with students. I want to be a teacher who students can count on and they can talk to.”
