MIAMI, Okla. –
As tornado season ramps up across Oklahoma, students in Miami are taking steps to make sure younger classmates know how to stay safe. A local Future Farmers of America chapter is leading a hands-on effort to teach severe weather preparedness across the district.
Student-led idea sparks action
The “Sooner Safe” project began with one Miami High School student who brought the idea back after attending an FFA conference. The goal was to address fear and confusion around tornado safety by giving students clear, practical guidance.
“Tornadoes are very frequent in our community and they disrupt communities around us all the time and so I understood that I grew up terrified of tornadoes because I didn’t understand what they were and then how to be safe from them and so after I attended the conference, I came back to my chapter, talked to my advisor and I was like ‘how can we fix this as a chapter?’” said Tylor Aary, Miami FFA chapter member.
Reaching every school in the district
FFA members visited every school in Miami Public Schools, working directly with younger students. They walked them through safety plans and explained what to do when severe weather threatens.
Providing tools for emergencies
As part of the project, students partnered with community groups to distribute 100 emergency go bags to upper elementary and junior high students. The bags are meant to help students stay prepared during dangerous storms.
Oklahoma Tornado season is already active
The effort comes as Oklahoma sees an active start to tornado season. The National Weather Service reports 56 tornadoes statewide so far this year, increasing the urgency for preparedness education.
FFA’s broader impact
FFA leaders say projects like Sooner Safe show how students are making a difference beyond the classroom. The organization now has more than one million members nationwide, helping students explore careers in agriculture, science, communications, and public service.
