The Life, Legacy, and Impact of Mia Balko
Friday, July 19, 2024 | Author: Cora Ford, Weslaco FFA
Texas FFA members welcomed the late Mia Balko’s family to the 96th Annual Convention stage during the fourth general session to share the legacy and the impact she continues to have on youth in agriculture.
Mia Balko lived a life dedicated to agriculture and agricultural science education through her service as an ag teacher and as the Texas Farm Bureau Director of Youth Outreach. Throughout her career, she showed tremendous passion for the Texas FFA Job Interview Leadership Development Event. Since her passing in 2021, the Texas FFA contest state champion has received a scholarship in her honor.
“The job interview contest challenges members to practice and demonstrate skills needed in seeking employment in the agriculture industry,” said State Vice President Henry Downing. “Ms. Mia Balko wholeheartedly believed in helping students develop these skills to attain success in their professional degrees after high school.”
Balko’s younger brother, Neely Balko, and family shared about her legacy and love for the FFA organization.
“My sister dedicated her life to FFA and her students,” said Neely Balko. ”Mia truly believed in this organization and what it could do for kids.”
He recalled her dedication to serving others, saying, “I like to think that the final lesson Mia taught me is that we are all capable of having that kind of lasting impact on the world even after we are gone.”
Balko’s love for FFA inspired her family to feel the same appreciation. “I believe an organization like FFA gives students the skills, experience, and knowledge needed to make that kind of impact and change, and I know Mia believed that too,” said Neely Balko.
The 2024 Mia Balko Job Interview Scholarship Recipient was Kade Lawrence from Canyon FFA.
“Ms. Balko believed that success is not a destination but a journey. Receiving this scholarship allows me to continue my journey and advance my education,” said Lawrence.
|