A Team, a Group of Friends, and a Family

A Team, a Group of Friends, and a Family

This year has been a whirlwind in the simplest terms.
As a sophomore in high school, sitting in my first Agricultural Education class with Ms. Higbie, I never would have guessed this is where the FFA would take me.

One of the greatest parts about this year has been getting to know five other individuals who truly live and breathe what it means to serve others…those five individuals are my teammates.

Many people this year have asked me “So Becky, just how well do you really get to know your teammates? I mean, you are always separate traveling the nation.” Believe it or not, we get to know one another better than most could imagine. The first few months we spend together non-stop! After that, yes, we spend a lot of time separated, yet me meet up more often then most would think for training and conference planning. However, this summer, we went our longest amount of time separated. This is why we were given the opportunity to wind down and catch-up with one another this past week at our summer team retreat.

We traveled to the great state of California where we were literally “beach bums” for days! That week with my teammates was the most relaxed I have been all year. October is almost here, and soon, we will be retiring and returning to our separate states. That week with my teammates was just a small reminder of the new family members I will always have. Zach, Tyler, Morgan, Kari, and Brady are each talented, skilled, and caring individuals who will always be there to push me to be the best person I can possibly be.

The connection I have made with these five people is special and unique. I share this with you because I hope it serves as a reminder as to the importance of relationships. I would have never connected with these five the same if it wasn’t for serving on the same team as them.

How many teams do you serve on? Perhaps you are a greenhand, chapter, or state officer. You serve on that team with those other teammates for exactly one year. Don’t let it go to waste. The time it takes to get to really know another person is worth so much. Maybe you aren’t on an FFA team. Think about your peers, co-workers, or even your family. Each area of your life can be a “team” if you let it. I encourage you to take some time to think about those outstanding people in your life. Are you taking the time to really connect with them?

A team is a powerful group of people, use one another to push each other.
To my team, thank you. Thank you for always being there to support me, and push me to grow.

And Finally, but Certainly Not Least

And finally, but Certainly Not Least!

It is hard to believe how quickly this year has gone…national convention, chapter visits, Japan, FFA week, camps, conventions, SPC, and NLCSO’s.

The Sunday morning following SPC, Morgan and I got in our final rental car and hit the road for our last NLCSO in Dover Delaware!

It was hard to believe that Monday morning we would begin presenting our last of these conferences. The states in attendance were Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware. These east coasters showed up excited, enthusiastic, and raring to learn some new tools to use their state officer years to take back to their state’s membership!

Highlights from this NLCSO:

1) The incredible spirit, pep, and state chants that went on to win the ever popular “GRAMMY” award (thank you to which ever state broke the GRAMMY, we won’t name names…cough, Pennsylvania). J

2) The BBQ Cook-out by the Caesar Rodney Delaware FFA chapter—can you say a “taste of heaven!”

3) Wednesday night’s DANCE! That’s right, DJ and all! Morgan and I experienced our first encounter with the CRAZY dance known as the “percolator.” (Hanna, you totally get the GRAMMY for your skills on this dance!)

4) The Banquet dinner where the Governor of Delaware attended and shared her passion for agriculture.

5) The 48 amazing state officers who Morgan and I got to know (definitely the highlight for me).

Needless to say, this NLCSO may have been the final one for Morgan and I, but it certainly wasn’t the least. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, thank you. Thank you for caring so much about helping others to discover the value of American agriculture, passion for service, and importance of leadership. Thank you all for what you have done for others, what you are doing this year, and what you will continue to do in your futures.

To all those who Morgan and I got to know at NLCSO’s, remember why you ran for state office. A state officer is just like any other FFA member, except you have a circle of influence handed to you. What you do with that circle of individuals you can influence is up to you. Use what you have learned, continue to grow, and be the best role model and leader your state has ever seen! You don’t need any “good luck” wishes, because I know you all will do a fantastic job without it!

You’ve got one year…use it.

A New Experience

A New Experience

Yes, I have been to Washington D.C. before.
Yes, I’ve seen the monuments, the museums, and the intricate metro system.
Yes, I have felt the rushing emotion of patriotism as I stared into the stone that is all that remains to honor those who have fought for us.
Yes, I have been to Washington D.C. before.

Would I go back? Yes.

Before this year’s State President’s Conference (SPC) I had been to D.C. once before for a high school trip. Before returning to D.C. I thought that it wouldn’t be as special my second time there. I was wrong.

As my teammates and I prepared for SPC I started to get anxious, nervous, and excited for those events to come; a night tour of all the monuments, laying a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery, and of course, meeting President Bush. The true power each of these experiences possessed was only measurable at that moment you were experiencing it.

First was our night tour. Zach and I were “bus buddies.” This means we shared a bus with state officers and national officer families (yes, our families attended this conference and just hung out in the audience, pretty cool). I’ll tell you a little secret…Zach and I weren’t supposed to be on the same bus, but we decided to switch things around because we never get to work together. Well, let’s just say Karma got the better of us due to our “switching” of the bus partners: over half of our bus, including my mom and little brother, got stuck on an elevator for one hour and 45 minutes, causing us to miss the first part of the tour. We were then known as the “El bus” (short for elevator).

Eventually we finally gathered up the remaining bus members from the elevator and made to where the other two buses were. The night tour was absolutely gorgeous! My personal favorite was the Jefferson Memorial where Zach and Morgan gave reflections on the front steps. I know everyone who was present would agree that was a beautiful sight.

Another BIG event during SPC was Arlington Cemetery. First off, I’m proud to say that I had to have burned of at least five pounds walking up the hill in official dress with the rest of the officers (you all are troopers)! When we finally made it to the top of the hill, there was the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At 9AM they had the changing of the guards. Then, Kari, Morgan, Tyler, and I lined up to lay a wreath on the tomb. Of all the events that happened in D.C. that week, this was one of my favorites. I’ll always remember the day that those 102 FFA officers stood there paying tribute to those who have served this country.

Speaking of serving our country, one man has been doing so for quite some time. Yes, I am talking about President Bush. Our group of officers has had the honor of meeting the President ever since SPC began. One afternoon all the officers crowded into risers and awaited the arrival of our nation’s leader.

When President Bush entered the room, it was complete silence. A few moments later everyone began to cheer and clap, which then put a huge grin on President Bush. The President spoke with us for 35 minutes. I cannot even attempt to articulate everything that was said. I will tell you this, he blew us away with how open, venerable, and honest he was. When he was done speaking, and after he left the room, I was speechless. I have a whole new respect and value for the individual who serves in this role of being the head of the free land.

The week that we spent in D.C. was even more special than my first time in our nation’s capitol. The officers present represented the FFA well with the respect they showed to those who have given of themselves to ensure our freedom. Thank you.

Yes, I have been to D.C. before.
Yes, I have seen the blue jackets in the hallways of the White house and the trails in Arlington Cemetery.
Yes, I have a much greater respect for what our nation stands for.

Would I go back? Most definitely!