In its very first year as a chapter, Aquinas FFA has not only gotten off the ground but it’s taken off with energy, community support, and impressive early success. Backed by a Nebraska FFA Foundation grant and a strong local network of advocates, the chapter has launched a robust animal science program that’s already making an impact on the students it serves.
With its $10,000 grant, Aquinas FFA focused on purchasing foundational materials for its new program, including a variety of animal science curriculum and lab coats for students. These resources have brought professional-level learning into the classroom and made hands-on experience in veterinary and animal science more engaging and accessible.
“Agricultural education is brand new at Aquinas, so this support from the Foundation has been absolutely essential,” said the chapter’s FFA Advisor Shelly Kubicek. “We’re building everything from scratch, and this grant helped us offer high-quality curriculum and equipment right from the beginning.”
Starting with just 26 members, Aquinas FFA has already seen significant growth. With only two seniors graduating last spring and the addition of 8th grade students into the program, enrollment was expected to rise significantly in the chapter’s second year. More impressive than the numbers is the way students are becoming more confident and excited to take part in contests, conferences, and community engagement. In the beginning months, many students were hesitant to speak in front of others or participate in contests. By spring, Aquinas students had earned major honors at their first Nebraska State FFA Convention: four CDE teams, two LDE qualifiers, a state chorus participant, and a state champion in individual ag sales. For a first-year chapter, these results are extraordinary. However, Kubicek notes that the most meaningful success was seeing her students grow in confidence.
“I had students who wanted to drop ag when I told them public speaking and contests were part of the experience,” the advisor shared. “Watching them step outside their comfort zone, gain confidence, and represent Aquinas on a state stage was incredibly rewarding.”
Much of the momentum behind the Aquinas program comes from a powerful support system. Parents, alumni, and community members have played a key role in lifting the new program off the ground. Aquinas formed an ag advisory council that has volunteered time and expertise to benefit the chapter. The group also launched a capital campaign to renovate a former trades facility into a fully functional agricultural education space. These volunteers took charge, hoping to build a program that will serve Aquinas students for many generations.
Looking ahead, the chapter’s long-term goals focus less on size and more on depth. The vision is to deepen student involvement in community projects, leadership opportunities, and SAE development. With the foundation of agricultural education now in place, the focus is shifting to help students embrace all that ag education can offer.
The Nebraska FFA Foundation’s support hasn’t stopped at the grant. Aquinas FFA also received officer plaques for its first banquet, attended COLT leadership training with Foundation support, and participated in the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign.
“We are so thankful to the FFA Foundation and the sponsors who make these opportunities possible,” the advisor said. “Students are eager to learn and grow, but it takes resources, time, and support to make that happen. The past year has shown me just how much of a difference that support can make.”
With big dreams and a strong foundation, Aquinas FFA is proving that even brand-new chapters can build something truly lasting. And with each student who finds their confidence and discovers their passion, the future of agriculture is looking brighter than ever!
