By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) awarded Kimi Ward, a senior at Childress High School, a $5,000 scholarship during the Texas Association, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state conference.

Each year, TFB awards one scholarship to a state or regional officer of Texas FCCLA who majors in a field of study related to family and consumer sciences.

“Texas Farm Bureau works with Texas FCCLA to grow our future leaders. Family and consumer science education works hand-in-hand with agriculture, offering students career opportunities in nutrition and culinary arts, textiles and clothing, consumer resource management and so much more,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.

After graduation, Ward plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in family and consumer sciences. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she aspires to attend law school and become a family attorney.

“While being in FCCLA, one of the key things that you learn is the importance of family and being a good family member in general,” she said. “Through my time as an officer, I really picked up on such qualities, and it made me want to strive to have other families learn that. Becoming a family attorney would allow me to help families in general.”

Ward is the vice president of public relations for National FCCLA and heavily involved with the organization. She served as the Texas vice president of leadership development, served as a regional officer and has also competed in several events at the regional and state level.

“FCCLA has taught me how to be a better person,” Ward said. “As an officer, you learn all kinds of qualities that you can take into the real world, such as time management, working on multiple things at once, and even simple things like learning how to write emails that gets you ready for a career. I have learned how to be a better family member, how to be kinder to other people. I’ve learned how to speak in front of crowds, network with others and step out of my comfort zone.”

In addition to FCCLA, Ward is active in several activities at Childress High School, including National Honor Society, student council and other service groups.

“I am thankful for the generous amount Texas Farm Bureau donated toward FCCLA. It’s an incredible amount, and it really helps with finances,” Ward said.

TFB District 4 State Director James Foster presented the scholarship to Ward during the state conference.

Get more information about TFB youth opportunities at texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities.