Ella Anderson from Annawan spoke with Jim Taylor from the RFD Radio Network about her life and a recent honor by the Illinois Farm Bureau. Ella Anderson, a senior at Annawan High School in Henry County, exemplifies what it means to evolve and excel. Recently named the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for December, Anderson transformed from a shy freshman into a confident speaker and leader. Her involvement spans various activities, from Poetry Out Loud to serving as president of the Annawan FFA and the Annawan All Stars 4-H Club. Anderson actively participates in sports, including cross country, volleyball, and basketball, while excelling academically through a dual credit program. A dedicated student, she will graduate with 30 college credits and an auctioneer’s certificate. “I have a packed calendar and the schedule is tricky, but I’m able to decide on my priorities and education is pretty high up there,” she said. Anderson’s drive and diverse engagements showcase her commitment to education and community involvement.
“I say you just have to get out there and practice because I know starting my freshman year, I was very quiet, very shy, very timid,” she said. “But now I really do enjoy public speaking and using my voice to leave an impact.” “Being from such a small high school you get so many different opportunities and as these different opportunities have come up, I’ve taken them and ran with them,” Anderson said.
Here’s what others have to say about Anderson from Farm Week Now:
Sarah Paige Tarr, Annawan High School agricultural education teacher & FFA adviser: “Ella’s selection as the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for December highlights her outstanding contributions to the FFA, particularly through her exceptional Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. She has dedicated countless hours to hands-on agricultural work, gaining valuable skills while leaving a lasting impact on her community. Through her innovative SAE projects, she has not only developed her leadership abilities but also inspired others to pursue their own agricultural passions. Ella’s focus on creating a meaningful legacy in the FFA program sets her apart as a role model for future generations of agricultural leaders.”
Jill Huber, Annawan High School Drama Club sponsor & Poetry Out Loud Contest sponsor: “Ella is a shining example of creativity and dedication at our school. Last year, she stepped up to compete in the Poetry Out Loud Contest, showcasing her passion for the arts and her love of literature. A vital member of our school play’s stage crew, Ella has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring every performance runs smoothly. Ella is involved in so many extracurricular activities at Annawan which makes scheduling her time and always offering a helping hand look easy. We are so lucky to have her as an outstanding student at Annawan.”
Lana Wolf, Annawan High School Gray Matters Collective sponsor: “Ella Anderson is a genuine asset to our district. She demonstrates maturity by showing an awareness of issues in the world around her. As evidence of this, she has played an essential role in bringing the Gray Matters Collective to Annawan High School. It’s easy for a student to say, “we should…” and leave it at that, but Ella has actively participated in founding and serving as a student leader for the organization. In the short time since its founding, Ella has led the group in planning pumpkin painting, a mental health awareness month with daily mental health check-ins, a trunk or treat table, holiday cards for troops, and planning for a stress-free final exams’ night.”
Amanda Attig, Annawan High School NHS adviser & Annawan All Stars 4-H club leader: “Ella, like all of our current senior class here at Annawan is simply exceptional. She and her classmates will truly be missed. She is a hard-working dedicated individual that works hard and helps at every opportunity. She can be found helping in our 5th grade every day as a tutor, working hard with our Gray Matters Collective program, and as a valuable member of our Honor Society. They are simply a class that makes each other better and she does this by helping and supporting her classmates in every way. As a community member, she is a valuable part of the Annawan All Stars 4-H program, helping and leading younger members as they begin their 4-H journey.”
Tammy Celus, Annawan High School counselor: “Ella has helped in one of our elementary classrooms since the beginning of the year. She works with students individually or in small groups to help them complete class work. She often works with one little guy who struggles to stay on task. She has developed various strategies to help him stay focused and motivated, using positive reinforcement as a reward. She quickly recognized that each student has unique ways of learning and different sources of motivation. Ella’s positive encouragement, patience, and academic support are making a significant impact on these young students, contributing to their educational success both now and in the future.”
Gina Peterson, Annawan High School head volleyball coach: “Ella Anderson was a senior volleyball player for the Annawan Bravettes. Her determination, commitment, and optimism made a positive impact on her team. Ella came to practice with the mindset to always better her game play. She also showed support to her teammates by encouraging them and working hard during practices and games. Ella planned and developed our first ever Gray Matters event during a home volleyball game. The Bravettes are lucky to have had her as a teammate!”