The Finale!

110,000 miles traveled. 107,000 audience members spoken to. 37 states and 1 country visited. Over 110 flight segments. 507,763 members served.1 incredible experience.

It was just over a year ago when I embarked upon another great journey in the blue and gold. In October 2007 I was elected to serve as the National FFA Central Region Vice President. At that time I had very little idea what my year of service would actually look like. And now, its hard to believe an entire year has flown by.

I could literally spend days telling stories of incredible FFA members I met from all across the nation, my travels to Japan, bad airport food, our meeting with President Bush, the topics of speeches I delivered or workshops I presented. I could write on and on about my 5 other talented teammates from Kansas, Florida, Indiana, Oregon, and Missouri, the new foods I tried, the many cultural differences across the nation, peoples funny accents, or the number of emails that bombarded my inbox. However, if I did, it would fill the entire newspaper and more. To sum up life as a National FFA officer is difficult, but I’ll give it a shot.

My main duties over the year included spending time with FFA members, State FFA Officers and state staff, meeting with government officials, speaking, facilitating workshops, and representing Agriculture, FFA, and Agricultural Education. Never did I imagine that I would actually be on the road more than 330 days, and never did I imagine that such an experience could happen to a young guy like me. More than anything I will treasure the relationships I have created with people from all across the nation.

It is strange to me that some of my best friends live in states on the other side of our nation. Take JP for example. He is an FFA member from Alabama who is likely one of the most genuine persons I have ever met. His faith is a shining example for everyone to follow. Jessica from Indiana is likely the most energetic person I met along the way this year—there is nothing that gets her down. Brandon from Kansas is bar-none the most driven high school junior I’ve ever met, and a professor I met from New Mexico state cares more about his students than I could ever imagine.

Someone told me this year, “It must be a real ego-booster to serve as a student executive of a multi-million dollar nonprofit student organization!” My response was that in fact it was the opposite. My year has proven to be humbling and overwhelming. I consider myself the most blessed 21-year-old in the world and the many incredible people I met along the way showed me just how much growth I need to have in my own life.

More than ever before I am convinced that the future of American Agriculture is secure. The FFA members here in Limon, in Colorado and around that Nation are dynamic young people who are going to change the world! It has been such a privilege to be a part of such an organization, and will always treasure the experience.

To say the least, I would not have been able to get here with out the support of so many people. The community of Limon, FFA Advisors, School Administrators both in Limon and at Kansas State University, Colorado FFA state staff, friends, church family, and National FFA staff have been an incredible part in this great journey. But more than anyone my family has been my biggest support crowd. You likely know that I have the best family in the world, and how blessed it is to be a part of!

To everyone, thanks for a great year and for all the support along the way. Now that my term has come to an end, I’ll be home for several days and have a few weeks of travel. I will return to school in January at Kansas State University where I’m studying Ag Economics and Ag Communications and Journalism. My ultimate plan is to pursue a career in ministry. We’ll see where the road leads!