After envisioning an agriculture barn in town for nearly a decade, the Sealy FFA program held a ribbon-cutting event last Wednesday afternoon at Sealy High School to officially open the facility to the community.

Sealy FFA advisor Troy Oliver said it was truly a dream come true and was appreciative of the support that helped build the barn.

“I look around the room and our friends on the school board that we shared memories whether we were driving to south Texas to buy a goat or sitting around at the county fair talking about these moments that we can do this and build this barn,” Oliver said. “We had the opportunity to go on a tour and see what other districts have and said, ‘We can do that,’ and here we are today and we’ve done that.”

He was also sure to thank all of the sponsors that helped make the vision a reality and presented four cornerstone sponsors with a framed Sealy FFA blue and gold jacket as well as a key to the barn for their efforts. Lezlie Askew and the Sealy FFA Booster Club, Bill and Loma Hobson, Leroy Zapalac and Ryan Svoboda representing the Maggie B. Selman Foundation, and Cheryl Mellenthin on behalf of the Mark A. Chapman Foundation were all honored.

The actual construction of the facility was one of the last steps of the dream but that too was impacted by community efforts spearheaded by Sealy ISD Project Manager Mike Zapalac who worked with the school board to adjust the scope of the project and ultimately deliver it under budget. Some of the hands that helped build the barn included MBC Management and JMB2 Architecture, as well as a local contracting company and Cameron Hein, who is in his senior year at Sealy High but credited his older sister for being a driving force at the beginning of this process because of her commitment.

“Exactly one year ago today, Hein Contracting delivered their first piece of equipment for a project that would be the start of the endless memories I made, from building the barn to using the barn. I remember stepping foot where I stand now when it was only grass and a couple of small Huisache trees,” Hein said. “And I’ll forever remember the day that I stood up here to say I quite literally helped build this barn and for that, I thank Meghan Hein for pursuing her passion and starting a legacy.”

Although the barn was officially opened last week, it had already been operational and not only housed projects but also served as the location where the senior chapter conducting team filmed their entry for the state leadership development event for this year’s virtual contest.

“We decided what better time to make use of the new classroom within the barn than now,” said senior Braden Ashorn. “We switched over from practicing at the main ag building to here in the classroom. We practiced together, we studied together, we learned together and we grew together. Is that not why you have built this barn, to ensure students grow? The state contest was this past Saturday and I am happy to report that our team placed third in the entire state of Texas. If your goal was truly to help students grow then I would like to congratulate you, all of you, for you have succeeded and we have grown so thank you.”