FFA SENTINEL
The Legacy of J.L. Parish J.L. Parish, FFA Adviser 1943-1991
Geneva FFA Officers 1955-1956
M
r. J.L. Parish began his teaching career in 1938 at Wetumpka High School. After one year, he left and taught three years at Goshen High School before coming to Geneva in 1943. He retired in 1991. At one time, Mr. Parish had been the longest tenured teacher in Alabama at 53 years. The vocational building was the first to be built where the current high school sits today. Mr. Parish laid the foundation for decades as one of the best FFA chapters in the state. First and foremost, Mr. Parish was a gentleman. For example, he always opened the car door for his wife, he always used manners, when he met people, he would firmly shake their hand and look them straight in the eyes, and he always dressed professionally. He helped anyone he could and was there for his community and students. As a teacher, Mr. Parish was firm but fair. He treated everyone with respect and could be demanding at times because he expected his FFA students to always do their best. Often he would say, “If you’re going to be a ditch digger, be the best ditch digger you can be!” He did not tolerate laziness or poor character. He taught his students that their word should mean something, and they should stand behind it. He instilled in his students the value 22
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of hard work, and he would constantly remind them that something for nothing was a lazy man’s way. He would tell his students, “Hard work and a good attitude will take you far in life.” Mr. Parish was the true meaning of FFA. Mr. Parish was one of many great teachers that I had at Geneva High School who truly influenced me. I told him one day that I was thinking about becoming an Ag teacher, but I didn’t know how to go about it. After I told him this, he glowed with excitement. He told me that he would guide me and help me any way he could. A few days later, Mr. Parish and his wife rode with me to Auburn University. I will always remember the trip to Auburn: Mrs. Parish told me that I needed a haircut and to quit wearing that stinking perfume. I told her that I had long hair, and had worn my cologne for all my ladies. She told me she hated to see what my ladies looked like. Mr. Parish told her to leave me alone. We spent the whole day on Auburn campus. Everywhere we went, it seemed as if they all knew Mr. Parish. We even walked in and spoke to the Dean of the College. I thought I was visiting there with the governor or president because he was so popular. I was clueless, but Mr. Parish guided me through a lot that
