The Cumberland County High School FFA chapter honored as a national three-star chapter, the highest ranking in the chapter award program.
FFA Supervisor Jason Atkinson said the award did not come without hard work. Only 20 schools in the state were eligible for three-star status. Atkinson said he thinks the chapter’s planning was a priority this year since they were not a three star chapter last year.
“There’s three different requirements or sections that you look at,” Atkinson said. “Growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. So, when we planned, we tried to plan for activities that met those three criteria.”
Atkinson said the chapter has to submit a program of activities at the start of the year. Atkinson said the plan reflected chapter goals. Once the plan was submitted, the chapter had to submit a 23-page application for the award.
FFA Student President Seth Troglin said he is involved in the planning, but also ensuring FFA officers are performing their duties well. He said some of the events he planned contributed to the three-star nod.
“I’ve helped plan events such as the Spread the Light livestock show for those in Cumberland County to come out and show animals for the first time,” Troglin said. “And also, I’ve helped organize some of the SAE Barn Days where we bring in our livestock show animals to the school and teach other members about livestock.”
Atkinson said one of the best compliments he gets is that his FFA chapter puts out the best leaders in the school. He said this is because the students are involved in every aspect of the program’s success.
“From a producing leaders standpoint, I think what we do is important,” Atkinson said. “I think from a community standpoint, I think us being visible in the community and participating helps us strengthen the realization that agriculture is still a big factor in our world today.”
Atkinson said FFA draws in some students who may not initially be interested in agriculture, but they sometimes end up deciding to pursue a career in the field. For other members, like Troglin, participating in FFA has helped him grow as a person.
“It’s helped me grow my communication skills and all my social skills,” Troglin said. “And helped me be a better person through all of the things we’ve done, such as giving back to those in East Tennessee when they got hit by the hurricane.”
Troglin said he plans to attend a junior college and pursue a degree in agricultural business. He plans to be a member of his school’s livestock judging team while in college.
The school system also recognized former student Lexi Christian, who has been named a national finalist in the agriculture education proficiency award category. Christian, who graduated in 2024, is currently studying agriculture education at Tennessee Tech.
Atkinson, Christian and Kellie Wilson will all be honored with the American FFA Degree this fall. It is the highest individual honor given out by the FFA.
