FFA Member of the Week: FFA, Music, & Community

 Name: Rachel Shaffer

FFA Chapter: Leroy-Ostrander FFA

Year in School: Senior

Favorite Color: Red
Fun Fact: Rachel has been a vegetarian for over a year.

Although becoming a member in 7^th grade, Rachel really became passionate about the organization in 9^th grade when her team won Best Informed Greenhand.  The leadership the FFA officers provided in her high school drew her even closer to the organization, causing her to set a goal of one day becoming an officer, a goal she has reached as she is now the chapter President. 

Rachel is definitely exploring many of the opportunities FFA offers its members, competing in several CDEs, attending bother State Greenhand Leadership Camp and State Leadership Camp for Chapter Leaders, serving as an officer, and has played in both the State and National FFA Band.  She knows that the skills she has gained in each of these will serve her well in her future pursuits in Pharmacy.  Although her intended major is not directly related to Agriculture, she will stay connected to her love of agriculture through horses and by staying involved in her family’s beef and crop farm. 

The practical life skills and lessons that FFA teaches its members is Rachel’s favorite part of the organization.  She also really enjoys meeting so many people who share her passions, many of whom have become great friends.  She credits FFA with helping her to become a more confident person, ready to take on new challenges with a positive mindset.

Rachel’s advisor and alumni praises her incredible work ethic, citing the many hours Rachel has put in both before and after school to help make sure each of the chapter’s events goes smoothly.  Rachel has shown incredible dedication to making sure her chapter’s events are as effective as possible.  But her accomplishments don’t end at FFA activities, she is also focused on community service.  She has helped her chapter organize events like an Angel Tree and a Student-led Food Drive to benefit her community.  She also uses her musical talents not only in the FFA band on the State and National levels, but also to play for the elderly of her community and patients at hospitals.

“…she [Rachel] wants the community to excel and if that means extra work on FFA members parts, then she does it.”, wrote her advisor.   What a heart of service!

Please join me in congratulating this week’s FFA Member of the Week, Rachel Shaffer!!!