Incoming WT Freshmen Elected to Lead Texas FFA

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Two incoming West Texas A&M University freshmen are proving to be ambitious Buff leaders even before they start classes.

Ember Reyes, a San Antonio native who’ll major in animal sciences with a pre-veterinary focus, and Grady McAlister, a Nazareth major who’ll major in plant, soil and environmental sciences, recently were elected to statewide office for Texas FFA: Reyes is the 2021-22 state FFA president, and McAlister is Area 1 state vice-president.

The duo and 10 other Texas FFA state officers recently took part in a two-week training session.

“It has been intense, but it has been fantastic to learn about agricultural education and all of the partners we have with Texas FFA,” Reyes said. “I really got to learn about advocating, especially how we can do so on behalf of agriculture. Advocating is pretty common in today’s society, but we were able to learn how to have a conversation with people rather than an argument. I know that I can apply that in everyday life in my career down the road.”

McAlister, who comes from a family of ag producers, said he ran for statewide office “to make sure the voices of farmers and ranchers are being heard.”

“Since my family immigrated to America, every generation has been in agriculture,” McAlister. “It’s just in my blood, and from a very early age — as soon as I could get involved in FFA — I joined.”

Reyes’ intensive travel schedule — which will find her visiting three Texas schools a day, five days a week — will require her to defer admission to WT for a year, but McAlister will juggle his statewide duties and classwork as a freshman.

“Recruiting top students to West Texas A&M University is a priority in our long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World,” said Dr. Kevin Pond, dean of the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. “Having State FFA Officers attend WT is a great measure of the high caliber of students we attract. We are very excited to have Ember and Grady join the Department of Agricultural Sciences, following the footsteps of other State FFA Officers who preceded them.”

Reyes and McAlister come from dramatically different backgrounds: Reyes is from urban San Antonio, where her high school FFA experience focused more on research and training guide dogs for the blind, while McAlister “grew up in a town with a cotton field right next to the football field,” exposing him to ag production all his life. But WT was an easy choice for them both.

“I didn’t know much about WT until I got a business card from a faculty member at the Texas FFA state convention three years ago,” Reyes said. “Plus, one of my advisers’ daughters attends WT, so he pushed me to go visit campus. I did last May, and as soon as I stepped foot on campus, I felt at home. It was truly life-changing.”

WT was always one of McAlister’s top choices: “I’m comfortable there, I know the people there very well, and I knew the program is extraordinary— in my opinion, the greatest ag program in the state. It’s always been WT.”

WT is ready for them to arrive — whether this year or next, said Dr. Lance Kieth, head of the University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences.

“We are so pleased that Ember and Grady have chosen WT as their university home,” Kieth said.  “Our department looks forward to shepherding them through their academic journey, and preparing them for success in their career aspirations.”

A team of twelve Texas FFA State Officers represent each of the twelve area associations within the organization, according to Texas FFA. These student officers work in partnership with the board of directors to develop policy for the Texas FFA Association and provide student leadership to Texas FFA members. All officers have responsibilities to the state association and leadership duties in their areas. State officers serve a one-year term.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. With enrollment of more than 10,000, WT offers 60 undergraduate degree programs, 40 master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

—WTAMU—