(01/25/22) BATON ROUGE, La. — For FFA members, blue corduroy jackets are more than just part of the organization’s official dress. They’re a sign of prestige associated with the youth agriculture and leadership program and a connection to a decades-long history.

Several Louisiana FFA members recently received new jackets at no charge through the Margaret Mayeux Blue Jacket Program, which has provided about 20 of the iconic garments every year since 2014.

Funding comes from Kipp and Jennalyn Mayeux, son and daughter-in-law of Ronald and Margaret Mayeux.

Ronald Mayeux served as state FFA executive secretary following stints as an agriculture teacher and FFA adviser at Hessmer High School and, later, superintendent of the Avoyelles Parish School System. His wife, Margaret, dedicated her life to serving others and was an enthusiastic supporter of FFA members.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance the FFA experience for each Margaret Mayeux Blue Jacket award winner,” Kipp Mayeux said. “The leadership team of Louisiana FFA continues to excel in assisting us with honoring the memory of our mom while making a meaningful impact for deserving members.”

Recipients were selected through an application process that included writing an essay describing what FFA and the corduroy jacket means to them. Jackets were hand-delivered by FFA officers to members at their schools.

Recipients were Kadie Daigrepont, Ella Lanclos and Demyia Reed, of Beau Chene; Caroline Courville and Alayisha Hill, of East Ascension; Radlee Nicholas, of Elton; Rankin Alford, of Florien; Kenlee Edwards, of Georgetown; Andrew Dauzat, Katie Guillory and Aubree Patterson, of the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences; Lane Firmin and Marissa Fogleman, of North Central; Elizabeth Boullion, Isabella Huddleston, Bryson Lyles and Brylir Wilcox, of Sam Houston; Joseph Adams, Alex Chaisson and Chistopher Nelson, of Thibodaux; and Shae Perritt, Kaitlyn Reinke, Grace Thornton and Amber Weeks, of Westlake.

The tradition of the FFA jacket dates back to 1933. Made of dark blue corduroy, the back of the garment is emblazoned with a large FFA emblem and the member’s chapter affiliation. The member’s name and a smaller version of the logo are stitched on the front.

Several Louisiana FFA members recently received new jackets at no charge through the Margaret Mayeux Blue Jacket Program. Recipients in the Thibodaux chapter included, from left, Joseph Adams, Alex Chaisson and Christopher Nelson. Provided photo

Several Louisiana FFA members recently received new jackets at no charge through the Margaret Mayeux Blue Jacket Program. Emmerson Lyons, center, state reporter for the Louisiana FFA Association, presented the jackets to recipients in the Sam Houston chapter. They included, from left, Bryson Lyles, Brylir Wilcox, Elizabeth Boullion and Isabella Huddleston. Provided photo

Several Louisiana FFA members recently received new jackets at no charge through the Margaret Mayeux Blue Jacket Program. Emmerson Lyons, far left, state reporter for the Louisiana FFA Association, presented the jackets to recipients in the Westlake chapter. They included, from left, Grace Thornton, Kaitlyn Reinke, Shae Perritt and Amber Weeks. Provided photo