Waterford teen finds success in FFA and on the field
(Photo Provided) Cousins Allison Huck, left, and Kaylie McCutcheon, right, wear their Future Farmers of America uniforms.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie poses for a photo. She is a sophomore at Waterford High School.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie makes her way to the finish line during a recent cross country event.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie enjoys spending time outdoors. One of those activities is kayaking.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie smiles in her softball uniform during a recent match.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie McCutcheon shows off her Greenhand FFA Degree, placing third in the citrus sales fundraiser and completing the Greenhand Quiz Career Development Event, during an FFA banquet in April 2023.
(Photo Provided) Cousins Allison Huck, left, and Kaylie McCutcheon, right, wear their Future Farmers of America uniforms.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie poses for a photo. She is a sophomore at Waterford High School.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie makes her way to the finish line during a recent cross country event.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie enjoys spending time outdoors. One of those activities is kayaking.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie smiles in her softball uniform during a recent match.
(Photo Provided) Kaylie McCutcheon shows off her Greenhand FFA Degree, placing third in the citrus sales fundraiser and completing the Greenhand Quiz Career Development Event, during an FFA banquet in April 2023.
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WATERFORD -- Waterford High School sophomore Kaylie McCutcheon loves trying new experiences and exploring the great outdoors.
McCutcheon is one of two new members of Waterford's Parliamentary Procedure Team through Future Farmers of America.
The event teaches students how to conduct a business meeting based on the book "Robert's Rules of Order" by Henry Martyn Robert. Fellow team members encouraged her to join.
"It's my first year. I have a few friends on the team and Mr. [Matt] Hartline thought I would be good at it. They convinced me to do it," she said.
McCutcheon said working with her five teammates has taught her positive lessons.
"It's taught me a lot of things. We built a good team dynamic and work really well together," she said.
"I can take things I've learned like public speaking and take it into my future."
The Parliamentary Pro team finished first in district competition Nov. 21, which qualified them for state. They will compete Dec. 9 at the Delaware Area Career Center in Delaware, Ohio.
Another FFA event McCutcheon participates in is agricultural soil judging.
"We go into a field and judge if the soil is suitable for growing crops," she said.
McCutcheon's cousin, Allison Huck, went to the FFA National Convention in Oklahoma with the soil judging team two years in a row. She said she would like to do the same.
Keeping with the outdoor theme, McCutcheon has raised pigs to show in the Waterford Fair.
"It teaches you a lot of responsibility," she said. "You take care of them from April to August."
For the past two summers, McCutcheon has been a 4-H camp counselor at Camp Hervida.
"I enjoyed it when I was younger. I love watching the kids have fun and make friends," she said. "Next summer will be my third year."
McCutcheon also participates in several sports: basketball, softball and cross country.
"I tried cross country this year and really liked it," she said. "It's helped my endurance. I can run up and down the court a lot faster."
Her love of the outdoors also contributes to McCutcheon's enjoyment of cross country.
"You feel more free. You're out there alone with your own mind," she said.
McCutcheon said a cross country event typically spans 3.1 miles. When she started a few months ago, her time was 35 minutes.
"My personal best this year was 28 minutes. Next year I'd like to get it down to 25," she said.
In the classroom, McCutcheon maintains a 4.0 but has one favorite subject.
"English is my favorite subject. I love books and enjoy reading," she said.
McCutcheon's favorite author is Alan Gratz, who writes historical fiction.