Clarise Fitzpatrick is the latest featured #StuedentSaturday! Clarisse is a junior at Ovid-Elsie High School and has been a member of the Ovid-Elsie FFA chapter since her freshman year of high school.

When asked how her FFA journey began, Clarisse stated, “I started my FFA journey my freshman year of high school. My siblings both did contests and were enrolled in agriculturally based classes. I participated in 4-H, which made my decision to join my chapter natural. However, I became a major ‘agvocate’ and began pursuing competitions when I competed in my first leadership contest ninth grade year; Greenhand Public Speaking. I have always been comfortable speaking in front of people, but I do credit my advisor, Tracy Hoffman, for encouraging me to compete. Ever since then, I have absolutely loved FFA and everything it stands for.” This is a feeling many of us have had after joining our FFA chapter.

Clarisse has spent the past years competing in everything she possibly could. This ranged from Greenhand Public Speaking, Prepared Public Speaking, and Job Interview to Horse Judging, Broiler Chickens, and Environmental Skills. Clarisse’s favorites have always been leadership contests, despite the added stress, because they offered the most reward for her hard work and perseverance. Clarisse has multiple Supervised Agricultural Experiences. For her consistent SAE activities, Clarisse does Boer goat reproduction and management, equine management, and Pug reproduction and management. Some other aspects of her SAE through the years have been raising and showing beef cattle, raising broiler chickens, and raising meat rabbits. She often finds opportunities in volunteering for NHS and FFA.

As a senior, Clarisse will continue to serve her chapter as President as well as the Region IV Treasurer. When asked what one piece of advice Clarisse has for any new FFA members, she said, “My advice to newly involved FFA members would be to take the opportunity to do as much as you can, in the time that you have, because it will be over someday. Sometimes,  I will get too busy and won’t want to keep competing in contests, but my mom and advisor always keep my motivated. I am so thankful for both of them, and they keep me rooted back to my values. I encourage FFA members to be bold and make decisions that you feel are necessary and appropriate. It is okay to disagree in a team setting, as long as you hold a token of open-mindedness and respectfulness. The life lessons and skills you gain out of being a member of the FFA can never be replaced!”

Outside of FFA, Clarisse competes on two national equestrian teams (YEDA and IEA), rides on her high school equestrian team, competes in 4-H with various activities, and is showing the PtHA horse circuit this summer. Away from her horses and school, Clarisse enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, meeting new people at volunteer events, and binging Big Brother during summer months (as she knows literally everything about the show).

Congratulations, Clarisse, on being one of the featured #StudentSaturdays!

Written By: Stephanie Harvey, State Reporter