OXFORD, Ohio – Drive Your Tractor to School Day is a cherished tradition celebrated by many schools, particularly during National FFA Week. This event allows FFA members to drive their tractors to school, showcasing their agricultural pride and education. 

At Talawanda High School in Butler County, Ohio, the week had a little more meaning for the students this year. Wyatt French, a senior and FFA member at the school, was seriously hurt in a head-on collision on Feb. 27.

That day, Butler County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Millville-Oxford and Booth Road in Reily Township for a reported injury crash. Wet roads are said to have played a part in the accident.

Upon arrival, deputies determined that the Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (S.T.A.R.T.) was needed to respond and conduct a comprehensive investigation. It was determined that French’s pickup truck traveled left of center and collided head-on with a semi-tractor trailer.

French was transported by medical helicopter to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.

In response to the accident, and through the Drive Your Tractor to School Day, the students at Talawanda drove their tractors wearing green in honor of French. Green represented French’s favorite tractor, the Oliver.

“Knowing that Wyatt loves and drives an Oliver tractor and that it’s green, the kids dressed to support Wyatt,” said Talawanda High School principal Scott Davies. “Any sort of accident or tragedy is completely unexpected, and this community at large has done a great job of rallying around Wyatt and his family. We’ve received calls from across the country from people who are praying for his recovery. The family has asked for privacy in addition to thoughts and prayers for his continued healing.”

Before the bell rang and classes began, numerous tractors driven by Talawanda students began pulling into the school parking lot. Honoring French that day were tractors of all kinds: John Deere, Case, Massey Ferguson, New Holland, Mahindra, and, of course, several Oliver tractors.

“Our FFA chapter is a close-knit bunch and Wyatt has built so many relationships with the junior and senior class,” Davies said. “He’s loved by many.”

“The Drive Your Tractor to School Day emphasizes agricultural pride for sure. It does in this community,” said Ryan Bennett, whose stepson shares FFA classes with French. “It connects students to their rural heritage, and this school is embedded in a rural setting. Beyond fun, it serves as a visual reminder of the importance of agriculture in society and helps younger students learn about farm life and machinery. FFA helps bring people together.

“The FFA chapter at Talawanda High School is a close-knit group and it has galvanized the Oxford area. Upon learning about Wyatt’s tragic accident, the student body at Talawanda, as well as the area surrounding Oxford, united to show support of Wyatt.”

The Butler Tech FFA Chapter at Talawanda High School has 185 members and 183 students enrolled in agricultural education, making it one of the largest student organizations at the school.