Chrishon Ellis

FFA Chapter: South Panola

School: Mississippi State University

Career Goals: I plan to attend law school and pursue a career in public law or environmental law. My goal is to help develop and uphold policies that protect natural resources, strengthen communities, and create positive changes through public service.

About My SAE: My Supervised Agricultural Experience is an Agricultural Placement at Morris Lawn Service. In this role, I operate zero-turn lawn mowers and weed eaters, while also planting flowers and installing mulch, sod, and pine straw. This experience has strengthened my work ethic, attention to detail, and skills in landscape management and customer service.

My Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite FFA memory was attending the Washington Leadership Conference. I met incredible people from across the country, developed leadership skills that gave me the confidence to run for state office, and returned home with ideas to make a positive impact in my community. It was truly a life-changing experience.

Mylee Sullivan

FFA Chapter: Nettleton

School: Itawamba Community College

Career Goals: I plan to earn my bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management and pursue a career in human resources. I hope to work in a role that allows me to support others, build strong teams, and make a positive impact in the workplace.

About My SAE: My SAE involves creating marketing plans for my former 4-H advisor’s goat and sheep operation. In addition to marketing, I assist with whatever is needed on the farm, which has given me greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into agriculture. Through this experience, I have developed leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills while continuing to learn more about the industry.

My Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite FFA memory is attending National FFA Convention during my freshman year. It was my first major FFA trip, and I was nervous going into it. That experience showed me that even though I did not grow up in agriculture, I still had a place in FFA, and it sparked my passion for the organization.

Evelyn Bello

FFA Chapter: West Jones

School: University of Southern Mississippi

Career Goals: I plan to major in finance and with a minor in construction and management.

About My SAE: My SAE is working with my dad's roofing company, where I assist with job documentation, coordinate projects, and serve as a translator. Being bilingual allows me to bridge the language barrier, improve communication, and help ensure each project runs smoothly while developing valuable leadership, organizational, and communication skills.

My Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite FFA activity was Ag Camp, also known as A Day on the Farm, where my chapter and I taught kindergarten students about different areas of agriculture through fun, hands-on activities. Watching their curiosity grow and seeing them leave with a better understanding of agriculture was incredibly rewarding. This experience truly reflected the FFA mission by helping educate future generations, fostering agricultural literacy, and inspiring the young minds that will one day shape the future of our industry.

Tatum McWhirter

FFA Chapter: Houston

School: Itawamba Community College

Career Goals: I plan to pursue a career as an agricultural policy analyst.

About My SAE: I have had multiple SAEs throughout my time in FFA, the most notable being metal air duct fabrication, feed store hand, and being a farm hand at a dairy farm. These various jobs and the projects have not only increased my skills and experience in multiple industries but also my ability to lead and communicate with most people I come across. Without the experiences and mentors I’ve had, I would not be the person I am today.

My Favorite FFA Memory: My favorite memories I’ve made in FFA are always during the contest waiting room and on car rides, where I can talk to my peers about what's happening in our lives and make bonds that will last a lifetime. I have learned that the best moments aren’t always when you win a contest or present a speech; they are the moments where you get to be around friends on equal footing and have a real conversation.

Lucy Holloway

FFA Chapter: Stringer

School: Northeast Mississippi Community College

Career Goals: I am majoring in agricultural marketing with a minor in agricultural communications to pursue a career in agricultural marketing.

About My SAE: My SAE includes raising beef cattle and meat goats for the purpose of show animals. In addition, I also have my own cow/calf pairs that I raise and care for.

My Favorite FFA Memory: One of my favorite FFA memories is when the state officer team had to sit in the airport due to having several delays to our flight. We had the best time getting to joke around and laugh while trying to get back home.

McKinley Johnson

FFA Chapter: West Lauderdale

School: West Lauderdale High School

Career Goals: After high school, I plan to attend Jones College for two years and compete on their livestock show team, then I will transfer to Mississippi State University to obtain a master’s degree in agricultural education with a minor in agricultural communications.

About My SAE: My SAE consists of working at Keller Cattle, a Hereford cattle farm, where I have gained hands-on experience caring for livestock and learning daily farm operations. I also work at Diamond TW Farms, a pig farm, where I developed skills in swine management, feeding, and maintaining a healthy environment for the animals. In addition, I spent time working as a produce stocker at Piggly Wiggly, which has helped me build customer service, teamwork, and produce handling skills that relate to farm-to-table in agriculture.

My Favorite FFA Memory: So far, my most valued FFA memory is competing at the 2025 National FFA Convention in the Extemporaneous Speaking career development event. It was an honor to represent my state, chapter, and county on the national stage while competing against and alongside some of the best FFA members in the country. This experience strengthened my confidence, public speaking skills, and pride in representing Mississippi FFA and agricultural education.