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Highland FFA member named state secretary
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
 | | Tommy Hevener Jr. is the National FFA Organization Virginia state secretary for 2007- 2008. His selection as secretary is the first time a Highlander has held state FFA office. He is the son of Tom and Lisa Hevener of Monterey. (Photo courtesy Tommy Hevener Jr.) |
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MONTEREY - "I decided to run a year and half ago," said Tommy Hevener Jr. of Monterey.
Hevener has been selected to the second highest position in the Virginia State Future Farmers of America organization
He had a three-day interview to endure; he was tested on FFA knowledge, had to write an essay, submit a scrapbook, and was interviewed by a six-member nominating committee.
He is the first state FFA officer ever to come from Highland County.
Future Farmers of America is officially a national FFA organization, said Hevener. As a state official, he wanted to make sure the national organization was properly identified.
State FFA secretary is a full-time job without pay, said Hevener, but he doesn't mind. "It's an amazing experience," he said. "It's an honor and a privilege. You know (as state secretary) you are having an influence on FFA throughout the state."
Hevener is postponing college for one year so he can fully dedicate himself to his new duties, which include attending official functions of agricultural organizations, the farm bureau banquet, young farmers meetings, the collegiate FFA conference, leadership conferences, and visits to all the chapters in the state. There are 150 chartered chapters and more than 10,000 FFA members in Virginia.
He'll also be involved in organizing next year's state convention.
"All the officers attend leadership conferences for training," said Hevener. Leadership is a big part of holding a state office, he explained. Chapters throughout the state will look to Hevener and the other state officers for guidance and to assist in chapter leadership programs. To prepare for his responsibilities, Hevener will attend the National Leadership Conference for state officers in Baltimore, Md.
Hevener will also attend the state FFA presidents' conference July 26-29 in Washington, D.C.
Hevener said he wasn't the only Highlander to garner recognition in the state. Hevener, LeAnna Armstrong, Michael Hupman and B.J. Lightner received state degrees. At the state convention at the end of June, Kate Obaugh placed fifth in the state job interview contest and Charles Trible was second in the junior computer applications contest.
The Highland chapter also had an agricultural mechanics team and an avian bowl team compete at the state convention.
Sean Duff and Michael Botkin were delegates to the state convention and worked on state FFA by-laws.
The Highland FFA chapter received a plaque for third highest truck ticket sales in the state (for a fund-raiser).
Hevener is the son of Lisa and Tom Hevener of Monterey. He is president of the Highland FFA chapter and the Augusta FFA Federation.
He plans to pursue a degree in agriculture at Virginia Tech after he completes his year as state secretary.
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