Crandall ISD

Jessi Pearson, a sophomore at Crandall High School, has been named a district officer for FFA and will serve as secretary next year. At just 16 years old, Jessi is already president of the Crandall FFA Chapter and has been an active member of the organization for the past decade.

“I started off with the animals; that’s all I wanted to do,” said Jessi about her involvement with FFA. “But over the years, I’ve really fallen in love with the leadership positions. Being able to help others and let them see their full potential and what they can truly do and go after their dreams, has honestly made my life 10 times better.”

Becoming a district officer is no small feat. Candidates go through an extensive process involving interviews, testing, and a vote from peers. As a district officer, Jessi will help lead and inspire students from about 20 FFA chapters in the area. “You’re not only learning how to grow as a person,” she said, “but you’re trying to inspire others to be the best version of themselves.”

Her drive to lead comes from personal experience. “In the 6th grade, I had trouble making a lot of friends,” she shared. “Once I started growing more in FFA, it kind of helped me get connections with all those people and grow as a person.”

Jessi’s daily routine reflects her commitment to FFA. “I wake up around four or five, go out to the barn, set them all up, make sure they’re healthy.” After a full day at school, Jessi returns to the barn. “Sometimes I don’t leave until nine or even midnight if an animal is sick or I’m preparing for a show.”

In addition to her FFA responsibilities, Jessi runs her own small business and works part-time at a wedding floral shop. “In the third grade, I started my own business where I watch over people’s dogs or just pick up random jobs,” she said. 

That entrepreneurial spirit is what led her to buy a plot of land from her uncle and building her own barn. “It’s pretty big. I hold at least eight sheep in there, it has a working arena, it has an area to keep all of my tack,” she said. “There’s a washer/dryer. I can keep my trailer in there.”

Jessi sees her new role as a chance to make an impact. “A lot of people in FFA aren’t part of the main group in high school,” she said. “Sometimes that district convention could be the farthest they’ve ever traveled. If that moment in time is all they get, I want to make it meaningful. I want to be their friend. I want to be that person who inspires them to do what they love.”

Jessi’s long-term goal is to become an animal chiropractor, combining her love for animals with an interest in health care. She plans to attend community college and later transfer to Texas A&M University and wants to become an animal chiropractic. “It’s really cool,” she said. “With that, I have to have my veterinarian’s degree—or some type of doctorate—and I could work on humans, livestock, racehorses... anything you can name.”

Crandall ISD is proud of Jessi for being a great example of Pirate Pride.