Page 34 - Education Issue

INCREDIBLE KIDS OF SAN DIEGO
HALEY ATTIG

Future Farmers of

America Superstar

By Nini Hodge she has gathered to share
Head Writer San Diego with the public and turn the
Kids Section view of the farming industry
from a negative to a positive.
FFA was founded is 1928;
however, women were not
HIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT allowed to join until 1969.
Tan FFA (Future Farmers FFA is relevant because
of America) superstar Haley whether you want to be an
Attig, she is 16 years old and engineer, a doctor, a business
attends El Cap high school in owner or a farmer, you need
Lakeside. Besides her stellar a foundation of leadership
participation in FFA, she skills. Here are a few key fac-
also does cheer and receives tors that FFA has to offer:
near-perfect grades. She • The relationships
comes from a long line of • Preparation
animal people in her family, • Professional speaking
her brother Troy is a rodeo skills Photos Courtesy of Haley Attig
star and shows his animals • How to prepare to win
through 4H and her mom • How to accept defeat
Darcey is a renowned horse Sadly, a lot of FFA pro-
trainer who trains and shows grams are being eliminated
morgens, saddlebreds, and in the schools due to budget
fresions. issues and school adminis- This year at the Del Mar plays an extreme roll in to-
Haley has also compet- tration thinking that it’s not fair Haley competed in show- day’s society, this has unfor-
ed and won at the Morgan a necessary course, I say how ing her pig and sheep who tunately negatively affected
Grand National and World can it NOT be necessary, both won their FFA divisions the FFA programs. What the
championship horse show in farming is what sustains the as well as take over all reserve FFA can do is educate the
Oklahoma. Haley raises pigs, earth and its where our food in market pig and market public more about agriculture
sheep, and other livestock, comes from, not genetically sheep, this is where they are and help them understand
she discovered her love for modified labs. Haley says she sold. Haley also won first what FFA is truly about, this is
showing and raising livestock would like to take her past in her swine showmanship something they have failed to
at a young age several years and future FFA experience then placing reserve in the do in the past. It might seem
ago. The animals she raises, and apply it throughout master showmanship. Haley overwhelming to someone
and shows, have taken her all college and in her career. is an outstanding student who is considering joining
over the United States and According to Haley, the FFA and horsewoman who has FFA; however Haley says “DO
have taught her about lead- is such a fantastic program been an active member of her IT,” going to the conferences
ership and responsibility. In that isn’t just about animals community almost her entire and getting involved with
the last 11 years that she has and that it also includes life. In her spare time, she the other kids makes it so
been involved with FFA, Ha- leadership, speaking to the helps her mom at River Run worthwhile, she says you will
ley has learned things about public as well as judging Farms in Lakeside, training enjoy your time and create a
the industry and how it im- competitions. “I believe it the horses as well as taking new family. Personally, I can’t
pacts society. Haley hopes to sets up a person to develop care of various animals. Haley wait for high school, I will
use the knowledge she has an outstanding work ethic,” states the lack of knowledge be joining my schools FFA
gained and the information Haley says. concerning farm to table program for sure. Haley wants

34