It is football time in Union County and along with the sport comes homecoming season. For the past two years, Horace Maynard FFA Chapter candidates have worked hard and earned the Union County Homecoming Crown, with Savannah Jones earning over $17,000 last year. This year the FFA candidate is Union County High School Senior, Kennedy Hill.

She is highly involved in the organization and has big plans in giving other candidates a stiff competition. She has been a consecutive member of the program for her four year high school career. She has experience on the livestock judging team and has competed for FFA at the state level. She has chosen an SAE, or Supervised Agriculture Experience, as Swine Production and has been breeding and raising her own show pigs for five years working towards the project goals.

Kennedy is currently serving as the Horace Maynard FFA President locally and has served as Vice President and Secretary in the past. With her dedication to FFA, she has been interested in running for Homecoming Queen for several years. She says, “I have always wanted to help my chapter and the members that are involved. By running for homecoming, I am not only representing this great organization and the people behind it, but I am also helping it grow and prosper.”

The youths involved in FFA are led by a great team of advisers. Mr. John Fugate is the Ag Mechanics teacher at UCHS and Ms. Bailey Liacta is the new Horticulture teacher, filling the shoes of long-time adviser, Mrs. Linda Baxter who recently retired.

It takes more than the student running for the crown to pull off the title. It takes family support, adviser backing, and much help from other members of the organization involved. FFA held a large BBQ, Bluegrass and Auction event this past Saturday at Wilson Park. There was a car show, motorcycle run, local music, and of course delicious eats. Next events planned are two Painting for a Purpose events on August 27 and September 10 here in Maynardville. This would be a fun opportunity for families or groups of friends or clubs to have a fun night right here in town while taking something home with you as well as supporting a local cause. Also, be on the lookout for Kennedy in the Friday Night Lights at UCHS while you are there cheering on the Patriots. She will have a booth at many games with many items of interest.

Of the funds that are earned by the driven runners, the clubs will keep 90%, FFA specifically using the dollars to provide scholarships to attend regional, state, and national FFA trips, classroom tools, chapter activities and camps, as well as educational events.

If you are interested in any of the events listed or would like to support Horace Maynard FFA for Homecoming Queen 2019, follow the Facebook page “Kennedy Hill FFA Homecoming” or call or text 865-256-1528. Good luck to all candidates!