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Reality Check

Spirited FFA members showcase their tv-worthy talents

Reality Check

Coy Dale thomas, a spirited trick roper from Stillwater, Okla., Shows off his unique lasso tricks at the 2007 National FFA convention.



March 2008

Turn on a television most any night, and you’ll likely see a reality show highlighting talented Americans. You might hear a songwriter croon his potential Top 40 hit or a dancer leap her way across a nationally televised stage, all in hopes of winning the ultimate prize – stardom.

It’s no secret that FFA members have talents, too. Take, for instance, former FFA member Matthew Fox, who is an actor on the popular TV show “Lost.” Toby Keith, another well-known former FFA member, writes and sings country music. And don’t forget sports legend Bo Jackson, whose athletic talents earned him national acclaim.

Get ready to meet four current FFA members whose names you will want to remember. Just a sampling of the talented FFA members among our 500,000+ strong membership, these individuals are taking the right steps to learning all they can about their passion and how far it can take them.

Coy Dale Thomas, a spirited trick roper and FFA member from Stillwater, Okla., has a firm grasp on exactly what – actually who – he’d like to be someday.

“My hero is Will Rogers,” Coy Dale says. “Will Rogers once said, ‘I never met a man I didn’t like.’ I’d like to think I’m the same way.”

Coy Dale now resides in Oklahoma, but for the past three years, he and his family lived in Branson, Mo., where he entertained visitors to Branson Landing, a popular tourist attraction.

During his unique and well-received performances there, Coy Dale showed off his best rope tricks, taught kids how to rope and recited original cowboy poetry, based on his own life experiences.

His individuality ultimately became his inspiration. At the 2007 National FFA Convention, Coy Dale performed a trick-roping routine during the talent revue, an act well-liked by the crowd.

Coy Dale’s story is similar to that of two other super-talented FFA members, Cassidy Dean and Taylor Huffman of Deer Park FFA in Texas. The pair has been members of their high school band for four years and active in the FFA chapter, too.

“We wanted to find a way to combine our two talents so that we could compete in state talent,” Cassidy says. “So we decided to forgo traditional drums and create our own sound.”

The result is garbage cans, cowbells and feed buckets – materials that Taylor says pay homage to the popularity of FFA livestock projects in Texas.

“We added FFA stickers to the buckets and kept the feed labels for an authentic feel,” Taylor says.

Competing first at the district competition, Taylor and Cassidy won first place and moved on to the state FFA convention, where they performed in front of 10,000 people – and won. But little did the two know, their act would see an even larger stage. They performed at the 2007 National FFA Convention and, in honor of the event, raised the difficulty of their routine even more.

Donning blindfolds during part of the routine and standing on the garbage cans during another, the pair wowed the audience at the national talent revue. 

But not all FFA talent is associated with music. Liz Kelly Pagan, an FFA member from Puerto Rico, is an avid jewelry-maker. Using different elements – anything from wood to plastic – Liz Kelly creates unique pieces of jewelry.

Since joining FFA, Liz Kelly has extended her talents to incorporate the organization. During FFA events, she can be seen wearing FFA earrings that she created from FFA pins or a handmade necklace to go with her FFA Official Dress.

“I like making jewelry, so I make FFA pieces too,” she explains.

In fact, her jewelry has become so popular that she’s now making pieces for friends.

“I used to just make my earrings and necklaces in the summer,” she says. “But now, I’m making it after school, on the weekends or anytime I find 10 minutes to work.”

This type of following is what makes Liz Kelly’s story – along with any talented FFA member’s experience – a success story in the making. Finding a niche – in these members’ cases, the FFA niche – has made all the difference.

Story by Kim Newsom
Photography by Brian McCord


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The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Visit ffa.org