Eliza Petry enrolled in an agriculture class her freshman year at Rochelle Township High School and with that class she became a member of RTHS FFA. That membership has opened doors for her future and led to her serving as a state officer this year — her senior year.
Petry’s older sister Molly was involved with FFA and encouraged her to participate in a food science contest.
“I didn’t come in thinking I would be super involved,” stated Petry.
That thought was proven wrong as Petry has held a role on the board since her sophomore year.
The June following her freshman year, RTHS FFA was attending state convention and Petry watched a group of older students carry flags in.
“I did not know who they were but some people were carrying flags in and they inspired me by being who they were,” stated Petry.
From that moment on, Petry wanted to become a member of the Illinois FFA Board.
“I learned by watching and wanted to be a role model others looked up to and encourage others to get involved,” she said.
This June, Petry will be one of the students carrying flags during the state convention. Today, Petry serves as Section Two President of the Illinois State FFA. She serves 13 schools within Lee, Ogle, Whiteside and Carroll Counties.
From that summer her freshman year, Petry has been involved with RTHS FFA board first serving as reporter, then vice president and this year as chapter president along with Section Two president.

Following the convention Petry discussed with RTHS FFA advisor Donna Page her aspiration to become a state president and the two discussed what it would take.
“I know it was a big role and what a great opportunity it was,” stated Petry.
She prepared for the state position by practicing public speaking and attending all meetings that were open to FFA students.
Elections were held at the state convention this summer and Petry was voted as section two president. She is the first section president from RTHS since records have been kept.
Petry explained her job as section two president is to serve her members. She spent a week at the beginning of the school year visiting each school in the section, meeting with freshman classes to promote FFA. Petry also had an opportunity to meet with the FFA programs involved in her section. She serves as a role model to fellow FFA students and encourages them to participate in section competitions and attend conferences.
Section 2 includes Amboy, Ashton-Franklin Center, Byron, Chadwick-Milledgeville, La Moille, Morrison, Oregon, Polo, Prophetstown, Rochelle, Sterling and Stillman Valley schools.
“I love talking to all of my members and learning about their experience in the FFA,” stated Petry. “I want the section to be a family.”
One of her highlights as section president came this summer when Petry had the opportunity to advocate for agriculture in Washington, D.C. It was during that trip she discovered her passion for legislation and advocating for agriculture.
While Petry is enjoying her time as section president, she has been surprised by the amount of time the role takes. Petry is required to attend all section events and state events. The section presidents meet approximately once per month to discuss current agriculture events and ideas for Illinois FFA. Contests are held for career development and leadership events in the section and state.

FFA
“[FFA] is not all cows, sows and plows,” stated Petry. “People think we all live on farms and drive tractors all day but that is not true. It is so much more than just farming — FFA is preparing you for your future. Everyone in FFA already had their foot out the door, more so than any other activity.”
Petry explained FFA prepares members for their future through public speaking events, contests and interviews. One of her highlights for FFA is the amount of skills students gain for their futures.
Her favorite FFA activities include Food Science CDE, Parliamentary Produce CDE and State Convention. She has participated in supervised agriculture experiences for Natural Resource Systems, Enviromental Science/Natural Resource Management and Grain Crops.
For younger students, Petry encourages them to get involved with FFA as a way to not only prepare for their future but to also meet friends. She has good friends throughout the state that she met at FFA events over the past four years.
Petry plans to major in agriculture communication or crop science upon graduation from RTHS in May.
“This has been a great opportunity,” stated Petry. “I wouldn’t go back.”