A Weslaco High School junior has earned the opportunity to lead her fellow FFA members in the first in-person leadership camp, according to a school district news release issued Wednesday.
Lily Ford, the Weslaco junior, also serves as the president of the Citrus Valley Future Farmers of America district.
The in-person camp, held at Mission High School, was an “exciting [way] to welcome everyone back,” Ford said in the release.
In keeping with the excitement, the members “wanted to have fun so the theme for [their] first meeting was ‘aloha,’ a Hawaiian theme,” she stated.
The camp is so much more than a great “way to come together in person,” Ford continued to explain in the release.
Students attending the camp participate in exercises designed to stretch their communication, teamwork and etiquette skills.
Many students from all grades were given the opportunity to put themselves in a leading role, including sophomore treasurer Angela Torres who was a team leader during camp.
Members left with a newfound confidence and an invaluable experience that will help them continue to develop their leadership skills, according to the Weslaco school district.
Returning members are facing a new challenge to keep momentum.
“We lost a lot of student participation during COVID,” Ford said. The Citrus Valley District, which encompasses FFA charters from high schools in PSJA, Mission and Weslaco, “will continue to work to increase membership,” but after camp, these students are well-equipped to encourage growth.
