Pictured below are some Harrells FFA members with awards that have been earned by the chapter in 2008-2009
If trophies and plaques are an indication of success, then the FFA program at Harrells Christian Academy is a success story. However when you visit Harrells it is easy to see that the success of this still young FFA program is rooted deeper than the trophies that surround the students in the classroom.
Students that attend Harrells Christian Academy have the opportunity to begin their FFA experience by taking introductory biotechnology in the sixth grade. As they explore the ever changing world of biotechnology, students are also exposed to the leadership and educational opportunities of the FFA. This opens the door for students to become part of an organization that has over 500,000 members nation wide. As students move to higher grades they are able to take advance biotechnology, botany, and agricultural science; each class expanding their knowledge while continuing to develop student interest in career development activities and advancing leadership skills. FFA members then have the opportunity to compare their skills with students at other schools by competing in the numerous contests that the FFA offers. It must be noted that when a student chooses to compete in these contests they have to devote afternoon, evening, and even weekends to learn more about the area of study in which they are competing if they want to do well. Motivated students spending more time learning? Odd to say, but after digging into the many trophies and awards that this program has earned it becomes clear that the success story began long before the trophies were awarded. This success story lies in the way that the FFA has transformed agricultural and biotechnology education into something that students want to learn and experience.
The more than sixty Federation, Regional, and State FFA awards earned in 2008 - 2009 stand as a testimony to the positive accomplishments that can occur when students have a will to learn and are instilled with the belief that nothing is impossible. At Harrells Christian Academy it appears that the FFA is making the impossible a common occurrence.