Erin Heinecke, Vice President

VP 2020-2021

Working at an Ice cream shop in Paris

There were a lot of factors motivating me to become a state FFA Officer. All of the members in my home chapter were supportive of everything I did and were excited to see me run. Specifically, the freshman members made me realize that I wanted the chance to do this for another year. I was able to not only be looked on upon as a role model, but a friend to all of them. Being able to motivate and impact their direction in this great organization was the reason I wanted to be able to do this on a larger level.

I believe there are many different ways of defining the word hero, and a lot of people have a lot of different answers to this question. For me, my hero would be the person that made me want to put the corduroy jacket on, my cousin Payton. With her being three years older than me in school, she impacted a lot of my life as I looked up to her like an older sister. Without her taking me to my first official FFA event, I would not be in the jacket I am now.

After my education at the University of Missouri, I plan to educate others about the agricultural industry. I would be happy to do that job as a teacher and advisor in an FFA chapter or working at a large company in communications.

Something interesting about me would be that out of all my years of life and suffering the hot Missouri weather, I never learned how to swim. I do frequently go to the city pool but I never get the chance to jump off the diving board or play chicken. I quietly stand in the 3-to-4-foot section and walk around. Many of my friends have tried to teach me how to swim but I am always too scared to try it where I am unable to touch the ground.

Never think that you are limited based on your age in FFA. I have witnessed a large number of upper and lower classmen who were very successful. Why? Because they were constantly working toward their goals. You have the opportunity at any grade level to do great things; you just have to believe you can do them.