JACKSON, TN— During the annual West Tennessee FFA awards banquet on April 24, 2017, the 2017-2018 Tennessee FFA Western Region Officer Team was elected. The six individuals elected to serve are President, Terrah Ivy, Scotts Hill; Vice President, Averi Cole, Covington; Secretary, Kelsea Koonce, Dyer County; Treasurer, Murray Perkins, Paris; Reporter, Abigayle Bartholomew, Lexington; Sentinel, Hayden Bawcum, Riverside. 

This year, 15 candidates, vied for the coveted six positions. The 15 applicants are required to be from different chapters and either a sophomore or junior in high school. The candidates were scored on three parts: application, test, and an interview. The interview panel consisted of current teachers, former FFA members, and business & industry representatives. 

The newly elected regional officer team is responsible for the West Tennessee Greenhand Conference held in the fall. They will develop and execute workshops designed to be engaging and informative about the numerous ways to be involved in FFA and the agriculture industry. Regional Officers also play a major role in the regional banquet and working regional contests. Their first event will be ROPE (Regional Officer Preparatory Experience) presented by the Tennessee FFA State Officer Team. 

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: Newly elected Western Region Officers pose for a team photo. Front Left to Right: President, Terrah Ivy, Scotts Hill; Vice President, Averi Cole, Covington; Reporter, Abigayle Bartholomew, Lexington. Back Left to Right: Treasurer, Murray Perkins, Paris; Secretary, Kelsea Koonce, Dyer County; Sentinel, Hayden Bawcum, Riverside.)