CHICAGO, Ill. (Market Day Report Weekend) — For Illinois FFA State Treasurer Kaydance Wooton, pursuing agricultural education took determination long before she ever stepped onto the state officer team. Her story also came full circle at the Illinois FFA State Convention, where she was interviewed by RFD-TV anchor Eliza Petry, who served as Kaydance’s student teacher during her sophomore year at Blue Ridge High School.
Growing up in central Illinois, Kaydance attended Deland-Weldon High School, which did not offer agriculture classes at the time. Rather than miss out on opportunities in agricultural education, she rode a bus each day to nearby Blue Ridge High School to participate in its agriculture program and FFA chapter. That decision opened the door to experiences that would help shape her future. One of those experiences was developing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects centered around raising goats.
During the interview, Kaydance joked she may not have had much success with her livestock projects, but competing with her record book helped her discover the many possibilities available through FFA and agricultural education.
Another pivotal moment came when she attended Illinois FFA’s BUILD Conference, an FFA leadership event designed to help students grow personally and professionally. There, she met people who encouraged her to dream bigger and pursue goals she had never imagined for herself. That encouragement ultimately led her to seek leadership opportunities within Illinois FFA, culminating in her service as the organization’s State Treasurer.
She credits much of her growth to her agriculture teacher, Ms. Meisner, as well as mentors she met through FFA, including former Illinois FFA State Officers Eliza Petry, Jaton Shaffer, and Emma Kuhns Shaffer. Their encouragement and guidance helped shape her leadership journey and inspired her to pursue opportunities she once thought were out of reach.
Today, Kaydance hopes her story serves as a reminder that students don’t have to let obstacles define their path. That message was at the heart of her retiring address, “Letting Go,” delivered to thousands of FFA members and supporters during the 98th Illinois FFA State Convention.
Using the analogy of a balloon, Kaydance spoke about the pressures, challenges, and expectations that people carry throughout life. While those burdens can sometimes feel overwhelming, she encouraged members to lean on those around them for support rather than carry those struggles alone. Her message was a simple but powerful reminder that growth often comes from letting go of what weighs us down and trusting others to help us along the way.
From riding a bus to another school for agriculture classes to serving as an Illinois FFA State Officer, Kaydance’s journey is proof that determination, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to remarkable accomplishments.
