◆ Star Valley FFA has provided a state officer only five times in 30 years.

It is a rare and thrilling moment when a Star Valley FFA chapter member takes an office with the Wyoming State FFA Association. Star Valley has experienced such a thrill only five times in the last 30 years.

It is even more rare and thrilling when two candidates from Star Valley are selected to serve as state officers back-to-back. That has happened only once – until now. April 9, 2021 was one of those truly extraordinary days when Star Valley FFA witnessed history.

On that momentous day, Star Valley High School Senior Katie Vigil stepped across the stage at the Wyoming State FFA Convention to take office as the new 2nd Vice President for 2021-2022 as Dani Erickson, SVHS 2020 graduate, stepped down from her office as Wyoming State FFA Secretary 2020-2021.
Katie is the daughter of Francisco and Becky Vigil of Afton. Dani is the daughter of Bart and Janet Erickson of Bedford.

“We are very proud of both these young ladies,” Dallas Warren, SV FFA Advisor told SVI. “Danielle was installed into her office in June of last year and has represented her Chapter and State well. I have faith that Katie will now go forth and carry on that tradition. It is an honor to have two students from our Chapter serve back-to-back.”

Prior to Dani’s service, the most recent state officer from the Star Valley FFA was her older sister, Amori, who served as the Wyoming State Sentinel in 2013-2014. During the 1998-1999 year, Traci (Walton) Warnick served as Wyoming’s President. Ryan Hedges (1989-1990) and Reynold Gardner (1988-1989) served as Parliamentarian and Sentinel, respectively.

Katie and Dani are, interestingly, best friends. They study ag and do their nails together. As one can imagine, the moment when Katie took her place on the stage as a new officer was extremely emotional for both girls. They are very pleased and proud to serve the organization that has provided significant leadership training and opportunities as well as knowledge and training about critical agriculture and food issues.

Having witnessed older siblings participate in FFA events and competition, Katie feels FFA has played a significant role in her life from a young age. Friendship with other state officers has influenced her choices and priorities as well as her perspective on life.

“I have watched the state officers continuously work towards helping others reach their goals, while reaching their own,” Katie told SVI. “Becoming a state officer will allow me to do for others what [officer friends] did for me; to guide and give strength to others allowing them to become a version of themselves they can be proud of.”

“I am beyond excited to serve the organization that has given me so much and has given me the opportunities I needed to become who I am today,” Katie continued. “To become one of the individuals I have looked up to and followed since I was little is a very humbling and amazing experience. As the 2nd Vice President, it is my duty to see that the organization is working efficiently and help in the directing of our organization. I hope to keep this promise and leave behind a memory and legacy I am proud of.”

For Dani, the experience was bittersweet. “Serving the Wyoming FFA Association as a state officer has been one of the best experiences of my life. It was definitely different from what I expected, but all those unexpected moments made for unbreakable friendships with a phenomenal team and a fantastic year. We didn’t get to do many events that would occur over the span of a normal year of service; however, my teammates and I never saw a reason for complaint. We believe we would not be as close if we hadn’t had these unprecedented experiences. We had a year full of gratitude. I adored every minute. My life and the lives of those around me will forever be changed for the better.”