North Lenoir Graduate is North Carolina FFA State President

The North Carolina FFA Association has announced the 2021-2022 North Carolina FFA Officer Team. North Lenoir’s Elizabeth Espino was chosen as the State President.

“I’m excited, and honored to be serving as North Carolina State FFA president for 2021-2022,” said Espino.

Espino is the 18-year-old daughter of Jessica Real Romero and Agustin Espino. She graduated from North Lenoir High School in 2020. She is a student at North Carolina State University majoring in Agriculture Education with a concentration in agribusiness.

“I wanted to say the biggest thank you to my advisors, Mr. Spence, Mr. Jenkins, and Mrs. Berg for always believing in me and constantly pushing for me to grow,” said Espino.

Espino is a first-generation Mexican-American and a first-generation college student.

“Congratulations to North Lenoir's own, Elizabeth Espino for being elected North Carolina FFA President,” said Ray Scott Spence II in a Facebook post.

Per their website, FFA is a dynamic youth organization within agricultural education that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. There are currently over 20,000 FFA members in North Carolina.

“She's put in countless hours interviewing, studying, and preparing for the interview process. Please join me in wishing her the best,” said Spence in another post.

Espino is grateful to her advisors. “They are my second parents. Thank you for everything, thank you for teaching me and investing so much time and effort into me. Thank you for loving me as your own!”

Others representing the North Carolina FFA are State Vice President Haylee Davis from North Moore FFA, State Vice President Gray Palmer from Orange FFA, State Vice President Sarah Landers from Madison FFA, State Vice President Samantha Ritch from Jordan Matthews FFA, and State Vice President Ray Lisenby from Topsail FFA.