Marcino returns to Edison to lead FFA/Ag program
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RICHMOND -- Edison High School alumna Tommi Marcino is back in the classroom, this time to lead the FFA/Agricultural Education program.
Marcino, a 2018 EHS graduate, developed a love for animals while growing up on her family's Richmond farm, where they raised pigs, cows and goats. She also was active in 4-H for 10 years.
After graduation, she went on to receive a bachelor's degree in general biology with a minor in education from West Liberty University in 2022, followed by a master's degree in career-tech with a focus on agriculture and a certification in early childhood education from Kent State University in 2024.
She also married her husband, Stephen, and had a daughter, Stevie Rose, with a son on the way.
Marcino served as the FFA/Ag teacher at Steubenville Big Red High School for four years but took advantage of the Edison position once the opportunity presented itself.
"I decided it was time to come back when the position opened up and the pieces fell where they needed to," she said. "I'm super excited and really glad to be back. There are a lot of kids I know and it's fun to meet the other students."
She officially began Aug. 1 and has spent time familiarizing herself with the school program and its members. Marcino said her goal is to improve student participation, which currently stands at 80 in the high school and about 120 in the junior high.
She oversees the freshmen plant and animal classes as well as the Ag physical science course, while Cori Griffith handles the junior high classes and high school shop and welding programs.
"We're really looking to making the FFA Boosters stronger and try to increase student involvement and what they are interested in," she said.
The program has included a successful Equine team which recently took 11th place overall as a team at the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, in June. Marcino said she is also focusing on other facets of the FFA organization.
Marcino said she also is focusing on other facets of the FFA organization.
"We have interest in other career development events and will have general soils contests with the districts on Sept. 22 and parliamentary procedure in November, and we're looking to do a general livestock CDE. We have done them in the past and there is interest now. The majority of general livestock CDE's are in the spring."
Other ideas include utilizing the onsite greenhouse more often as well as the raised beds. Students provided freshly grown green beans, cucumbers and corn to the public for a donation during the recent Back-to-School Rally.
Marcino said members also will assist during Festival in the Woods and hold a Veterans Day Breakfast prior to the annual high school assembly in November.
Marcino hopes to see the FFA/Ag program continue to grow during her tenure.
"The Edison FFA is a staple, in my opinion, so I'm excited to be a part of that."