SANDERS CHOSEN AS 2017 FFA NATIONAL OFFICER CANDIDATE

May 12, 2017
SANDERS CHOSEN AS 2017 FFA NATIONAL OFFICER CANDIDATE

DOYLE, TN—May 5th Chelsea Sanders, of the Wilson Central High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, was chosen to represent the Tennessee FFA Association as the state’s National Officer Candidate. Sanders, a sophomore agriculture student at Tennessee Tech University, maintains her FFA membership with Wilson Central FFA where she was elected State President for the Association as she graduated in 2015. 

Sanders and her competitors took part in three interview rounds, led a workshop, gave a speech, participated in mock media and stakeholder scenarios, and wrote two essays, which simulated the process in which Chelsea will see at the National FFA Convention in October. Candidates were judged by a screening committee made up of nine FFA members from across the state, as well as two adult industry representatives. The National Officer Candidate Screening process took place at Tennessee FFA’s Camp Clements. 

Sanders is no stranger to competing at the National level as she placed 3rd in the Nation in the Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event in 2012. In addition, she represented Tennessee in the National Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event in 2015 and was a National Delegate that year, as well. 

Sanders will train from now through October to compete for one of six coveted positions on the FFA National Officer team. She will work throughout the summer with hopes of becoming Tennessee’s sixth national officer in eight years. The Wilson Central FFA chapter is home to Past National Officer James Flatt who was elected in 2010. Sanders will be the first candidate from Wilson County since Flatt was elected. 

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 649,355 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of 14,084 members from 214 high school chapters, 7 middle school chapters, and 8 collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.

(Photo caption: Chelsea Sanders of Wilson Central FFA was recently selected as Tennessee’s 2017 National Officer Candidate. She will compete in October for one of six offices in the National FFA Organization.)