Appreciation from the Jacket: What the Officers are Thankful For This Season

As the seasons change and we take time to reflect on the year, each of us take are reminded just how

much we have to be thankful for. From early morning practices to late night

chapter planning sessions, the experiences we have shared have shaped us into stronger leaders and closer friends. While we each bring different backgrounds, passions, and perspectives to our blue jackets, gratitude is the thread that ties us together. In this blog post, we share what we are most thankful for as we celebrate the people, opportunities, and moments that continue to inspire us every day. I am thankful for some many things.

As the season of thanksgiving comes around, I can’t help but be thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given. I have been countlessly blessed with a wonderful life surrounded by so many wonderful people. I am truly thankful for another year on this earth, gifted with the chance to serve my fellow man.  

-  Jessie Frazee

2025-2026 District IV President

I'm thankful for all my life experiences, good and bad, because they've made me who I am today. I'm

also super thankful for my friends and family; they've been there for me every

step of the way. They're amazing, and I feel so blessed to have them. I'm also grateful for FFA, for all the support and chances to grow as a person and a leader. When I started, I was pretty quiet, but now I'm outgoing and passionate to make a positive difference within FFA and agriculture, and I owe it all to the awesome members who helped me come out of my shell and find my

“why”. The opportunities in FFA are like nothing else I've ever experienced. It's a total blessing. Through competitions, community

service, and leadership events, I've found a real sense of belonging, and the people I've met are truly extraordinary. FFA is truly remarkable, and I'm so thankful to wear the blue jacket. 

-  Kaitlyn Kalbaugh

2025-2026 District IV Vice President

As the 2025-2026 District IV Secretary, I am thankful for the people and experiences I've had to get me

where I am today. I am thankful for every person that stands by my side through

whatever life throws at me. Through sports and FFA, I know I will always have a support system that can help me through anything. I am grateful for every opportunity that I have been given and all the lessons I

have learned. I am grateful for every member that I have met and been able to connect with. I am grateful for all the opportunities that FFA has given me. 

-  Amarah Shannon

2025-2026 District IV Secretary

My name is Daniel Simpson, and I have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family and friends who support no matter what the situation is. I am thankful for our freedom to live in this country and worship a Holy God without persecution. I am thankful to have been born into the time, place, and situation that I live in. And I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as your 2025-2026 District IV Treasurer.

-  Daniel Simpson

2025-2026 District IV Treasurer

I am thankful for all of the opportunities that I have been provided. From FFA to 4-H and beyond the

number of opportunities I have received is enormous and I couldn’t be more

grateful. I am also grateful for the people who support me. I am thankful for my family who shows up to all of my events and my friends who support me along the way. Finally, I am grateful for the blue jacket. When I joined FFA my freshman year I didn’t even know that there were district officers and

when I did find out, never in a million years did I think I would become one. It has given me the opportunity to have new experiences and meet new people, and I will never forget it.

-  Duncan Baitz

2025-2026 District IV Reporter

My younger self only knew holidays by one thing: plays. Growing up in a family of musically inclined individuals, every holiday my cousins and I would spend countless hours writing and rehearsing that year’s play. Often, we would recreate our interpretation of the true events that conspired on that holiday, and would never fail to produce a chaotic, entertaining play. However, when the founders of this tradition, my older sister and cousin, decided not to pursue it again, I was left with a disappointing, unsatisfied holiday. All holidays stood for a rare moment I could be with my family and carry on with our passion for theatre, and while we didn’t start the tradition back up it helped me learn the true meaning of holidays. Every year all my excitement and dedication for the plays wasn’t because I wanted to prove my musical abilities but rather because I was part of something bigger. Together we created a performance but separate it would have just been people talking about history. This tradition was built on teamwork and cooperation. Without the help of my family, this tradition wouldn’t have even started; but the love for holidays, each other, and our respect for those before us prioritize over the feeling of success from a play. The rejoicing afterwards wasn’t because the plays were beautifully written or acted out, it was out of love for the people they cared about. The old tradition of plays has now been transformed into the reality of a loving and supportive family. Holidays aren’t about traditions and history, but rather living in the moment and being thankful for memories you can create. I will forever be thankful for the family I have and how supportive they have been throughout my journey. Happy thanksgiving!!!

-  Emma Hosfield

2025-2026 District IV Sentinel

I am thankful for all of the opportunity I have been given, and the people who have given those to me. Its a blessing to be here and if it wasn’t for the people who have supported me along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am now. Thank you to everyone who has always been by my side and pushed me to chase what I want.

-  Chris Hall

2025-2026 District IV Student Advisor