05/14/2026
Congratulations Ty! So proud of you and wonderful to see from a student and FFA member’s perspective how important our CTE courses are at Rockingham County High School and our Rockingham County FFA chapter.
My name is Ty Booker. I've been a student at Rockingham County High School for the past four years. I'm definitely not someone who enjoys sitting inside at a desk all day staring at a wall. What I've enjoyed the most and what has had the greatest impact on me has been our school's CTE (Career and Technical Education) classes, including Ag Mechanics, Automotive Technology, Horticulture, and Animal Science. These classes have taught me more practical and useful life skills than any English or math class ever could. I'm very grateful to be in a school with the quality of CTE classes that we are provided. I took my first Ag class, my freshman year, called Intro to Agriculture. This class introduced me to the FFA (Future Farmers of America). I joined the FFA that year and became an active chapter member competing in multiple competitions. In Intro to Ag, we didn't just learn about the FFA; we learned about all the different aspects of agriculture and the physical and economic importance of agriculture. I've enjoyed classes such as Introduction to Automotive Technology, where I learned the basics of the automotive trade. I also took Automotive Technology I & II, where I advanced my knowledge, and that allowed me to complete more advanced projects. The FFA has become more than just a club that I'm involved in; it's been a major part of my high school experience. I've competed in multiple events like Ag Mechanics, Gator Wars, Hunter Safety, and Truck & Tractor Skills. I also served on the officer team as the Chaplain during my junior year, and then I served as the president during my senior year. This year, I took classes such as Ag Mechanics I & II as well as Horticulture I & II. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to take these classes and gain skills such as welding, electrical, woodworking, and plumbing, and to gain knowledge on plants and proper techniques to help boost yields. But what made attending Rockingham County High School such a great experience would be the staff from my FFA Advisors, Mrs. Apple and Mrs. Webster, along with my automotive teacher, Mr. Shelton, my CDC Ms. Knight, and my Administrators, Principal, Mr. Vernon, and Assistant Principal, Mr. Marquart. They have all played a crucial role in building my character and preparing me for my future. I plan to obtain my Class A CDL and then pursue a career in utility line work.
