By Shayla Terry:

In July, Cassidy Catrett closed out her high school career by retiring her position as Future Farmers of America’s State Secretary of Alabama.

Catrett, Brantley High School’s Class of 2016 valedictorian, was the first state officer to from Brantley since 1986.

“I was really pleased to be offered this opportunity,” Catrett said.

“It was great experience.”

Catrett says she has had an interest in agriculture her whole life due to her father being an agriscience teacher.

“We live on a farm,” Catrett says.

“I started showing cattle in the fourth grade with 4-H.”

She has been a member of FFA since seventh grade. In the Brantley High School chapter, she has served as a junior officer, reporter, secretary, vice president and president.

After considering running for state office for a number years, Catrett says she finally made the leap her junior year.

“I had friends tell me for years to run,” she said.

“I thought I would run my sophomore year, but the deadline had passed.”

During her time as state secretary, Catrett says she has learned a lot about leadership and real life.

“We did a lot of leadership training,” she said.

“I’ve learned real life skills that I can use when working with others, and throughout my adult life.”

When the day came to retire her blue jacket, Catrett says it was a bittersweet moment.

“I cried the whole time,” she said.

“The experience has taught me to make sure I talk to people and understand them. I made life long friends through FFA.”

In the fall, Catrett will begin her collegiate career at Mississippi State University. She will double major in poultry science and animal and dairy science, with hopes to graduate and attend pharmacy school.