Hometown Girl Headed
For "The Bright Lights"
In Lubbock

by: Bobby McDonald

It's the home of Buddy Holley and Mac Davis sang about it in "Lookin' At Lubbock, Texas In My Rearview Mirror," but for local FFA President, Alina Tatum, she's lookin' at Lubbock and facing it "head-on!" She's headed for the Texas FFA Convention, held in Lubbock this year, and plans to dazzle the crowd of over 4500 FFA members with her ability to sing. She hopes to walk away from the West Texas city with the State title of "FFA Talent Winner."

Tatum sang her way to winning the Area VI FFA Talent Contest in February and qualified to represent Northeast Texas at the State Contest. She will be leaving on Monday morning, to make her bid in the competition.

When asked what she had selected for her bid, Tatum stated, "I used the Marty Robbin's song, "Don't Worry About Me," in the recent Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant and won the contest, so I'm thinking about using it again at state competition. And, then I'll sing another number entitled "Swiss Cowboy and Country," that features a yodeling part!"

Tatum perfected the art of yodeling when she was a small girl and feels that the addition of that section of the song will aid in letting the audience know who she is. "It will maybe help me be distinguishable from some of the other talent," related Tatum. "And, with the competition as 'stiff' as it is at state convention, you need to give it your best shot!"

Tatum has served as the president of the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter this past year and will again be serving as an officer for her senior year at Sulphur Springs High School, in the fall. "I plan on majoring in Vocational Agriculture in college," denotes the pretty high school girl, who states she has been enrolled in FFA all through her high school years. "And, I hope to some day become a Vocational Agriculture Teacher!"

"Agriculture is such an important part of our life here in rural Hopkins County and we must do everything that we can to make certain that those producing our food are the best educated group of people in the world," states Tatum. "Without a food supply, nothing else is important!"

Tatum enjoys her agricultural projects, riding horses, and singing Country and Western music, and states that she is really enjoying the brief time she has spent as the reigning Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. "It is such an honor to represent all of the dairy farmers of Hopkins County and to be a part of all the hard work that goes into bringing milk and dairy products to consumer's tables," denoted Tatum. "I love my hometown and the people that I get to represent this year and I want to be the best representative I can be!"

Tatum is headed for Lubbock and the State FFA Convention on Monday, July 11th and will be accompanied by fellow FFA members and voting delegates, Sam Dolan, Kattie Foster, and Candace Vanwinkle, from the Sulphur Springs chapter. Mr. Dan Froneberger and Mr. John Boles, advisors of the chapter will serve as sponsors for the trip.

The talent competition portion of the FFA Convention at Lubbock will be featured on Thursday night, and Alina will compete against nine other area winners for the state title. "I'm looking forward to singing before my peers and doing my best to win," stated Alina, as she rushed to her next project of filming a local Ford dealership commercial, on location in Sulphur Springs.

Follow the progress of Alina Tatum in the talent competition in Lubbock by returning to this site for the latest information.

"Good Luck, Alina!"