By DOUG GRAVES Ohio Correspondent COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio ranks 17th among all states for total agricultural production, but when it comes to young agricultural leaders, it is on top of the field. With 33, Ohio has the most National FFA officers of any state, from Second Vice President Lawrence Augustine (Ashley Chapter) in 1928-29 to Sydney Snider, FFA’s 2015-16 Eastern Region vice president. “It all seemed like a blink of an eye, and there I was as a national officer,” said Snider, also a former Ohio FFA state president from the Felicity-Franklin Chapter. “It’s been incredible, the things I’ve seen and the places I’ve been. It’s neat to be able to hang out with 60,000 FFA members at a national convention.” In her retirement address to her delegation, Snider talked about how each member can have hope not only in themselves, but in others as well. “I’ve found out that FFA members find hope in any type of situation, even when they’re competing and not doing quite as well,” she explained. “They all seem to have that optimism of doing better the next time. These same people take that same type of drive and hope back into their community to give hope for others.” Snider’s term as Eastern Region VP culminated at the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo. “I’ve always been proud to see Ohio FFA members represented on the national stage,” she said. “Those FFA members back home have always supported me and I’ve been fortunate to have Ohio behind my back.” Between Augustine and Snider there were 31 other National FFA officers from the Buckeye State – and many used their FFA experience as a springboard to loftier goals. Ralph Bender of Waldo served as Eastern Regional VP in 1930-31. From 1948-78 he served as chair of the Department of Agricultural Education at Ohio State University. He taught ag education at several universities and worked with other countries to help them develop ag education programs. Bobby Jones, from Radnor, served as National FFA president in 1933-34 and then worked at World’s Natural Science in Rochester, N.Y. Stanley Tschantz, from the Wayne County JVS, served as Eastern Regional VP in 1935-36. William Stiers from the Twin Valley South Chapter served as Eastern Region VP in 1937-38, while Carl Fought, from the Fremont Chapter, served in that role in 1941-42. Seven more Ohioans would become FFA officers by 1970, including Philip Shober (Mohawk Chapter, 1946-47) and Glenn Lackey from the Berlin Township (now Olentangy) Chapter, 1949-50. Lackey started the VoAg program at Pickerington High School. Other officers in this period included Dallas High (Mohawk Chapter, 1946-47), Dale Ring (Wooster, 1955-56), James Stitzlein (Loudenville, 1965-66), Jerome Donovan Jr. (Delaware, 1960-61) and Keaton Vandemark (Elida, 1966-67). Donovan later taught science at Delaware Hayes High School. By 1990, nine more Ohioans became national officers: Dennis Sargent (Bradford Chapter, 1971-72), Doug Loudenslager (Ridgedale, 1975-76), Rick McDaniel (Wynford, 1976-77), Rob Hovis (Lakota, 1977-78), Mark Sanborn (Grand Valley, 1978-79), Susie (Barrett) Bline (Warren, 1980-81), Bruce Kettler (Anna, 1982-83), Warren Boerger (Fairbanks, 1988-89) and Dan Schroer (New Bremen, 1989-90). Six more followed in the next decade. They were Rick Perkins (Sentinel CC Chapter, 1992-93), Lee Schroeder (Leipsic, 1994-95), Holly (Bentley) Wagner (East Clinton, 1996-97), Shannon Wilcox Donnelly (Upper Scioto Valley, 1997-98), Emily (Buxton) Adams (Riverview, 1998-99) and Joe Shultz (Indian Lake, 1999-2000). Shultz now serves as the senior economist for the U.S. Senate Committee of Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, D.C. The four officers before Snider this century included Katy (Poth) Endsley (Liberty Union Chapter, 2000-01), Julie (Tyson) McNaull (Hillsdale, 2002-03), Anne Knapke (Talawanda, 2003-04) and Hanna Crossen (Hillsdale, 2008-09). |
