Inspiration can come in many forms, including a conversation with a Norwegian customer randomly. This encounter has shaped Hannah Dugger’s, the newly elected sentinel of the Tennessee FFA Association, opinion on diversity.
B.J. was a retired worker for the Norwegian Cruise Line where he worked for 43 years as an electrician and fleet supervisor. Furthermore, he has been one of only 200,000 people to ever set foot on the continent of Antarctica.
“As I talked to B.J., the word ‘diversity’ instantly took on a new meaning,” Dugger said. “Diversity is not just a difference in look or ethnicity. Diversity is a difference in stories, a difference in experiences and a difference in the way we live life.”
As a conclusion to the 84th Tennessee State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg, Dugger was elected State FFA Sentinel for 2012-2013.
Joining Dugger to serve as state FFA officers for 2012-2012 are Stephen McBride of the Coffee Country FFA Chapter as state president, Maryanna McClure of the Duersburg FFA Chapter as state vice president- west, John Adam Turner of the Warren County FFA Chapter as state vice president-middle, Jessie Campbell of the Sweetwater FFA Chapter as state vice president- east, Mitch Baker of the Baxter FFA Chapter as state secretary, Grant Saum of the McNairy FFA Chapter as state treasurer and Christy Chicas of the Station Camp FFA Chapter as state reporter.
“I hope to inspire other FFA members this year to never, never, never quit,” Dugger said. “There are so many things in life we don’t accomplish because we give up on them. But, I want members to know everything is attainable if they just keep trying.”
Dugger is currently a senior and plans to attend the University of Tennessee- Knoxville and major in agricultural education and political science. She is the daughter of Tracey and Julies Dugger and her agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Thomas Boyd, Harvey Burniston, Jr., Tracy Dugger and Kenneth McQueen. Farm Bureau Insurance sponsored the entire state officer selection process.
For the next year, Dugger and her state officer peers will be the face and spirit of FFA. Collectively, they will travel thousands of miles throughout the state as they engage top leaders in business, government and education and lead a host of personal growth and leadership training seminars for FFA members. The team will also help set policies that will shape the future of the Tennessee FFA Association and promote agricultural literacy in general.
News Release- Sentinel
