2025 Ford Leadership Scholar
Introduction
The Ford Leadership Scholars program is a result of the Texas FFA Foundation and Texas Ford Dealers partnership to enhance the leadership opportunities of Texas FFA members.
The purpose of the program is to:
1) Identify students who exhibit high levels of leadership at the chapter level.
2) Engage these identified students in a leadership development program created to enhance those qualities of leadership.
3) Recognize the Scholars to build a remarkable legacy for the future of our state and nation.
The objective of the training week is to equip students to go back to their communities to develop substantial and sustainable community service capstone projects.
Qualifications
Each year the program will select 10 new Scholars. They will be juniors in high school at the time of applying and must have met the requirements of the Lone Star Degree to apply. The applicants should be highly motivated students with a deep interest in the topic of leadership.
2024-2025 FLS Book Study Assignment
Applicants shall select one of the books from the list below and write a 500-750 word essay addressing the following prompt. Essays should be submitted at the time the application is submitted.
Provide an overview of the book and explain how you could incorporate concepts gleaned from this book during your year as a Ford Leadership Scholar and in your personal and professional life.
Book Options:
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't, Jim Collins
Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey
Change Your World, John C Maxwell & Rob Hoskins
Why Good Things Happen to Good People, Stephen Post
Selection Process
The criteria for selection will be based upon six characteristics of leadership: action, relationships, vision, character, awareness, and continuous improvement. These six characteristics were identified by leaders of the agriculture industry as essential characteristics of leadership. The selection process includes an application, examination covering a leadership book, and an in-person evaluation. A selection committee will review applications and will conduct in-person interviews.
2025 Dates
December 16, 2024- FLS applications open/book assignment announced
January 20, 2025-FLS application due by 5:00 pm WITH ADVISOR RECOMMENDATION
February-March-Candidates notified of interview selection via email
May 19, Texas Farm Bureau Headquarter- Finalist Interviews
July, TBD-Mandatory Ford Leadership Scholar Training
Please reference these frequently asked questions and answers about the Texas FFA Ford Leadership Scholars Program. If you have any additional questions, contact the Texas FFA Office, at [email protected].