Varsity softball player Melannie Townes has finished her sophomore year of high school and is looking forward to the summer. Townes also finished another year of FFA, something she started when she was in the eighth grade.
“I first got involved in FFA in the eighth grade, three years ago. I started showing livestock in sixth grade and it was an automatic thing after that, that I was going to join FFA to continue showing livestock at the next level,” said Townes.
Townes is involved in many activities in FFA, but this year she expanded her involvement by entering the speech competitions.
“My favorite activity in FFA would be showing livestock. But something that I purely enjoy is the people that I’m surrounded by. I meet so many new people at every FFA event and it’s a blessing to be part of something that we all stand for and believe in. I am involved in speech contests, and I am now a part of the 2023-2024 Cushing FFA officer team,” said Townes.
The soon-to-be junior said being part of the softball program is special as well.
“The people, the coaches, the players, parents, and community are what make the softball program so special and is what I love most about it. The strive the coaches have to make us better players and people is what I love about Cushing softball. My teammates welcomed me into the program back in September 2022 and the way they are encouraging, loving, and supporting is what I love the most,” said Townes.
Two people have played important roles in Townes young life. They have influenced her every step of the way. “There are two huge influences in my life. First is my mom. She is the strongest person I know. From driving me to all my extra activities, making sure I’m always good, bringing me homework and softball gear I forgot, cheering me on at softball games to being ring side at pigs shows I always know that she’s my number one fan and supporter. And my second person is my cousin JC Cason who’s more of a big brother to me than anything. He is the hardest person to work with but also the one who pushes me the most. He pushes me to be a better pig showman and all around a better person,” said Townes.
