FFA (Future Farmers of America) provides many unique opportunities to students.
According to Mr. Rundel, Colby High School FFA sponsor, the organization “provides a platform for students to learn leadership and communication skills, along with efficient ways to be more productive.” Mr. Rundel originally started as the FFA sponsor at CHS in 2007. He remained the sponsor until leaving to teach in the Brewster School System in 2015, where he started another chapter of FFA. Rundel taught in the Brewster district from 2015-2023, before returning back to Colby to teach in August 2023. Mr. Rundel says his favorite part of being the sponsor is “helping students find personal success and explore careers in the agriculture pathway.” Through being in FFA, students are able to embrace their skills learned in their Ag classes. However, you do not have to be enrolled in an Ag class to be a part of FFA, anyone is welcome to join.
FFA offers many different experiences to students. These include things like leadership development events, career development events, conferences and conventions, and numerous scholarships and awards. Hailey Bolyard, CHS Senior and 4-year FFA member, says her favorite part of FFA is “the leadership opportunities and the agriculture involvement.”
Recently, on August 16, FFA hosted a Back to School Bash. They offered dinner, along with lots of indoor and outdoor activities, to ring in the new school year. This included things like karaoke and cornhole. Mr. Rundel says he felt the bash went “quite well” and that he was “very pleased” with the number of kids that came to the event.
FFA provides lots of fun and educational opportunities to students, is very involved in the community, and will teach students skills that they will use for life.