ESD 113 Board of Directors Recognizes Yelm High School FFA
![Yelm FFA students receive award for community service]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757536718/esd113org/qoy1rncltichelkfedx4/YelmHSFFA-post.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1757536718/esd113org/qoy1rncltichelkfedx4/YelmHSFFA-post.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757536718/esd113org/qoy1rncltichelkfedx4/YelmHSFFA-post.jpg","width":800}])
Yelm High School FFA students turned a storage nightmare into community hope. ESD 113's Board of Directors recognized the chapter as September's "In Their Element" honorees—students who explore, create, and lead in their communities.
The Yelm Community Center Thrift Store closed in 2020 when COVID-19 hit. For three years, donations piled up inside the building. When students first entered the space, they could barely walk around—clothing, toys, snow gear, and household items filled every corner.
The thrift store funds the Yelm Community Services Food Bank. Each sale provides money to buy groceries for families in need. Since the students began working, the food bank has received additional funding to help the community.
Over 35 FFA students tackled the project during the past year and a half, logging more than 300 hours by November. Students created organizational systems the thrift store can use long-term—they labeled clothing racks by size and gender, set up book areas, and simplified pricing. Students also learned practical math by calculating discounted retail prices. They put these skills to use by holding three successful sales, including a recent back-to-school event.
The thrift store project attracted students who might not otherwise join FFA activities. Some thought FFA focused solely on animals before learning about the community service opportunities. Students described the work as very rewarding—they spent hours organizing and pricing items, then enjoyed watching families find toys and clothes at affordable prices.
For FFA President Kolton Nash, the project provided community after difficult COVID middle school years. FFA Secretary Kricket Nash and senior Gracie Green also found connection through this service work. FFA advisors Dusti Nash and Jordan Hummel led project coordination, helping students create systems that will serve the community long after graduation.
The students plan to continue their work until the thrift store fully reopens, proving that young people can solve complex community challenges when given opportunities to lead.
The ESD 113 Board recognizes one student group each month with the In Their Element Award. This honor celebrates programs where students explore, create, and lead. It amplifies student voice and student-led activities that engage young people in meaningful ways.