Students from across New York State let out cries of delight on Saturday afternoon when one of their own, Ken Quick, Jr, of Granville, NY, was named the National Eastern Region Vice President of the National FFA Organization. Quick is the first student from New York to accomplish this task in 15 years and his accomplishments certainly did not begin there. As a freshman in high school, he helped to begin the FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter in his school and worked tirelessly to create a program where students, himself included, could succeed. Quick served as the Granville FFA Chapter Vice President and President, and the New York State FFA President before being selected to represent the 18 state Eastern region for a coming year of service.
Ken, currently a sophomore at Cornell University, grew up on a dairy farm in Washington County, NY and was raised by his parents Ken and Diane Quick. He was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America, sports teams and the Junior Holstein Association before chartering the FFA program in his school. FFA Advisor Terry Wheeler worked to bring agriculture classes to Granville Central School and within a few short years, Quick was leading the 4000 student organization with over 80 programs in rural and metropolitan school districts. Quick credits his success to the network of support he received through his involvement in FFA. "Throughout my FFA career, I have been fortunate ... to be surrounded by advisors, coaches, peers and even junior high members who have helped to develop me into the man I am today – a true product of every FFA program, partner and experience I have had."
Ken will be surrounded by a different group, now. As National Vice President, Ken and the other five new National FFA Officers will travel more than 100,000 miles in service. He will travel to Japan, visit agricultural education classrooms and conventions throughout the United States and visit with legislative and agricultural leaders. At 19, he is serious about the responsibilities of the task. "I had no idea just how much this organization would consume my future. FFA gave me the skills to further my impact ... I've become a passionate advocate for the future of agriculture and for the role of our generation within the food, fiber and natural resources industries. I've seen how FFA can change a student, a school and a community. Young people need FFA." He speaks with a breathlessness that makes you realize this "kid" really gets it, and a passion that makes even someone who has just met him realize he has every intention of making a difference in the lives of young people and in the future of the agriculture industry for the next 365 days.
In New York, Ken Quick, Jr's election is big news. For the past few years, he's worked to connect with as many students and agricultural leaders as possible in order to make an impact. Ken's success means something to the students in local schools throughout New York. While many of them look to Quick as a hero this week, his accomplishment says exactly what he wanted it to – if he can do it, they can do it, too.
There are 540,379 National FFA members in grades 7-12 in 7,489 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
www.ffa.org
