HYPE Academy Application
Reid Baker
Gracelynn Barnett
Laina Bell
Grant Cottrell
Fayth Davis
Zane Duncan
Rhett Forkner
Karley Frank
Marah Greiman
Ashley Hannah
Clara Harden
Addison Hoefer
Kaitlyn Houghton
Colton Howell
Karai Kamp
Logan Lane
Kadence Leeper
Aiden Long
Lainee Maulsby
Hadlee Meadows
Cortney Merrigan
Sandy Miranda
Chloe Napier
Brock Pitt
Dara Ramage
Malarie Sheley
Reagan Thomas
Jordan Tucker
Brody Wall
Olivia Wingard
Are you a future leader in agriculture, FFA and your community? Are you ready to be an active member of the agricultural community and tell the agriculture story? If you answered YES, the HYPE Academy is for you! HYPE is a youth leadership conference designed to challenge and equip the TOP 30 incoming high school senior FFA members to be advocates for agriculture.
What is HYPE?
These 30 FFA members will receive hands-on experiences to prepare them to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural Industry. In addition, members will gain strategies to continue strengthening their knowledge base in agricultural issues, sharpen written and verbal communication skills, and spark potential career interests. Most importantly, participants will bring home tools to help other chapter members tell the agriculture story!
When, Where, and Why HYPE?
The HYPE Academy will challenge 30 Agricultural Education students during an intensive three-day academy, June 23-25, 2026. Held in Jefferson City, HYPE will build on other important FFA leadership conferences students have participated in up to this point. Expect this leadership experience to be a hands-on, engaging academy that will provide skills to communicate, lead, and advocate for the agricultural industry.
How do you Apply?
In 2026, the top 30 entering high school seniors in 2026-27 school year will be selected to participate in HYPE through a competitive online application process.
Students need to submit an online application including each element listed below.
Completed applications and uploaded portions must be submitted online no later than February 16, 2026.
SPONSORED BY THE MISSOURI CORN CHECK-OFF
HYPE DOWNLOADS
Forms below should be downloaded and completed with necessary information, then uploaded prior to HYPE application submission.
Before submitting the completed forms below within your online application, please save each file with type of form and your last and first name.
Filename Example: signaturepage_smith_jane.pdf
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
There are six(6) parts to the written application:
- Information Page (Submitted Below)
- Signature page (Uploaded Below)
- 5 narrative responses (Submitted Below)
-
-
Why would you like to participate in the 2026 Missouri FFA HYPE Academy? (Max 800 characters)
-
Why is it important to advocate for the agricultural industry & how have you advocated for agriculture in the past? (Max 800 characters)
-
Why do you believe advocating for the agricultural industry is important in 2026 and beyond? (Max 800 characters)
-
How will your engagement in the HYPE Academy help you develop into a leader and advocate for the agriculture industry? (Max 800 characters)
-
Out-of-state water exports have become a prevalent topic in recent years amid water shortages during periods of drought, particularly in the United States. In response, the Missouri legislature has proposed legislation to limit the amount of water than can be exported from Missouri during drought conditions. Given your background in agriculture, what do you think the pros and cons for farmers would be if this type of legislation were enacted? (Max 1050 characters)
-
-
- Counselors’ verification of academic achievement or Student Unofficial Transcript (Uploaded Below)
- FFA member Leadership/Activity form. (Uploaded Below)
- Instructions: DOWNLOAD Leadership form at left and SAVE to your computer. Update the form with applicable activities, then SAVE again. Return to the application below and UPLOAD your completed Leadership Form.
- Signature Page (Uploaded Below)
- THREE letters of recommendation (SUBMIT HERE)
- One from the applicant’s Agricultural Education Teacher/FFA Advisor,
- The second from a school administrator (superintendent or principal)
- The third from a community leader that knows applicant and their leadership experience.
- NOTE: Students are expected to share the recommendation link above with individuals being asked to submit comments on their behalf.
FFA members will be notified of selection by April 1, 2026.
Consent form for selected attendees is due by May 22, 2026.
HYPE ONLINE APPLICATION
This section should be completed by STUDENTS submitting application to be considered for HYPE.
Sorry, applications for the 2026 HYPE Academy have now closed. Thank you for your interest.