ALAMOSA — Josiah Shown considers FFA to be a big part of his story. As a native of Alamosa, Shown began his involvement with the Alamosa High School Chapter in eighth grade and has not looked back since. He now is the president of the AHS chapter and serves as FFA District Sentinel.

Shown attributes having opportunities that he may not have otherwise had to his involvement in FFA. “I really like doing it,” he said. He has also greatly enjoyed being able to take part in the learning process along with learning a wide variety of skills including public speaking and leadership.

The opportunity to travel and attend conventions is another part of the FFA experience that Shown has appreciated. He also noted that he has gained a greater sense of responsibility and gained tools to “prepare for the real world.” He further noted that FFA has helped to vastly improve his public speaking skills. Because of the skills that he now has, Shown is willing to “talk to anybody,” about what he has learned.

Furthermore, Shown also has an appreciation for the social interaction piece of FFA and the ability to share knowledge and ideas as well as learn from his leaders and peers. He is grateful for the opportunities that he has been given and is eager to continue to expand his knowledge and skills.

“He’s not afraid of anything put in front of him,” said FFA Advisor Kevin Rice. “He always tries his best to accomplish his goals and usually does — he gets things done.” Rice added that Shown is part of a long-established farm/ranch family in the San Luis Valley. “And he loves that life.”

Shown is now looking to take his involvement in FFA to the next level and is a candidate for a state officer position. During, the State FFA Convention at CSU Pueblo in June.

A total of 10 officer positions for student representatives to the State Executive Committee will be determined by election. Shown is hopeful that he will be one of the 10 who are elected. According to Rice, it’s a two-day interview process and Emily Wilson, currently the vice president of the Alamosa chapter, will be on the nominating committee. The committee then selects candidates for the office they see best fit for them. This year, there are a record number of applicants running for major state office — 27 in all.

Shown is a senior at AHS and hopes to attend mechanic school following graduation. He sees his time in FFA as a journey. “I can still learn more,” he said. He is running for the opportunity to continue to teach, learn and share ideas with the rest of state. If he’s elected, he’ll defer his schooling for a year to represent FFA for the State of Colorado, be it in Washington, D.C. or around the state at various high school FFA chapters.

“He’ll be the third Alamosa FFA member to run for state office. One was elected to office…he has a good chance,” Rice added.