For Pearl Bunch, FFA has been much more than just another high school club. It has been a place of growth, resilience, and discovery. Inspired by both friends and Ag teachers, she joined early on and quickly realized the organization offered valuable skills that would last a lifetime.
“FFA isn’t just a club, it’s a place to build confidence, grow as a person and gain important life skills,” Bunch explained.
Balancing FFA with school never felt overwhelming for her. “I treat it like being on a sports team,” she said. Practices, contests, and events became part of her routine, and her passion for the program made it easy to prioritize. Even setbacks, like not making a team or missing out on conferences, turned into opportunities for growth. “Every single one has taught me resilience and the importance of working when no one is watching,” Bunch stated.
One of her proudest moments came when she chose to return to the livestock judging team after failure, determined to help pave the way for future members.
Bunch’s close friend, Grace Curry, shared how impactful this involvement has been: “Bunch’s involvement in livestock judging has also shaped her future.” While Bunch does not plan on pursuing a career directly in agriculture, judging has influenced her college choice and goals for the next chapter of life. She hopes to continue judging collegiately and, through that, earn scholarships that will allow her to study her chosen field while still staying connected to the Ag industry.
“Even if my career isn’t in Ag, I want to stay connected, whether that’s through farming, breeding stock, or being active in the show industry,” she tells us.
Beyond her future plans, FFA has also left a deep mark on Bunch’s character. Experiences on CDE teams taught her hard work, leadership, and the importance of putting others first. Her advice to younger members is simple: get involved, push yourself out of your comfort zone, and don’t give up when you face rejection.
As graduation approaches, Bunch hopes to be remembered not only for her accomplishments—like placing second-highest individual and being part of the winning team at the state livestock judging contest—but also for being someone who worked hard, welcomed others, and proved that you don’t need an Ag background to succeed in FFA.
