DCHS Grad Finalist for National FFA Office

Joenelle Futrell

The National FFA Organization has announced that Joenelle Futrell of
Philpot, a 2010 graduate of Daviess County High School, was named one of
20 finalists for the position of National FFA Officer. The selection
was based on four days of intensive interviews which began Oct. 15.

Futrell and the other 19 finalists will complete additional interviews Oct. 19-20, in Indianapolis, in front of a nine-member National Officer Nominating Committee.

The final slate of six National FFA Officers will be introduced at the final session of the 84th National FFA Convention on Saturday, Oct. 22. The six students elected to National FFA Office will represent more than 540,000 members of the National FFA Organization, which has chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The six National FFA Officers provide leadership for the student organization and will travel around the country and the world, promoting the agriculture industry and the FFA Organization.

Kentucky FFA Executive Secretary Matt Chaliff said this is a huge honor for Futrell. “Being selected as one of the 20 National Officer finalists means that Joenelle Futrell is in the top 20 members in FFA, out of over half a million nationally,”
Chaliff said. “We have great faith in her abilities and high hopes that she will be selected as the first female National FFA Officer from Kentucky on Saturday.”

While attending Daviess County High School, Futrell was actively involved in FFA. She served as the 2010-2011 vice president for the Kentucky FFA Association. Futrell is currently a student at the University of Kentucky, majoring in agricultural
Economics. She is the daughter of Ann Kirk Futrell of Philpot.

FFA makes a difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Jason Smith, DCHS agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor, said Futrell is an outstanding candidate for the national office. “Joenelle is so knowledgeable and passionate about the field of agriculture,” Smith said. “She is an outstanding
individual and would be an incredibly positive ambassador as she represents the agricultural heritage of our community.”

There are approximately 700 FFA members in Daviess County.