About 629,367 members and counting are in the National FFA Organization. That's over 629,367 lives that are about to change forever. And when I say change, I don't just mean you're going to meet a new friend or start an SAE because that will happen too. I really mean change as in you're going to become an incredible outspoken leader with abilities you've only ever dreamed of but you've had all along. No matter your path in life, the experiences you gain in the FFA can help you get there. As I write this, I think back to my time in high school, remembering every national convention I've attended, every workshop I've been a part of and most importantly, every member I've had the opportunity to meet.

Pictured above is myself with one of closest friends, Nicole, from the 2012 National FFA Convention. Attribution: Kaitlyn Daigle

If it wasn't for our time together in the Vet Science CDE, I may have never met Nicole and we would've never taken this perfect picture. Memories like this are ones that will never fade, mainly because this is one of the most attractive pictures on the internet...obviously. This photo was taken not long after I became elected as the Historian of my home FFA chapter. From there I went on to serve as a State Officer for the Massachusetts FFA Association for two consecutive years.Shown above are my first and second year Massachusetts State FFA officer teams from top to bottom respectively. Attribution: Kaitlyn Daigle

I will never forget all the experiences that filled those two years. Experiences like getting lost on the train with the one and only Thom Malone in Washington D.C. for the States Presidents' Conference, or winning the spirit stick at NLCSO at Camp Oswegatchie. But, outside of these conferences, the real fun happened with the members. To any Massachusetts FFA member reading this, thank you for being so involved in what is one of the best organizations the world has to offer. Please know it was an honor and a privilege to serve you. I hope I've had an impact in your life and that you never forget your ability to make the same impact in someone else's. I had the chance to see many of you grow into the amazing individuals you are now and I am very proud of each of you.

In addition to how I saw these members grow, I noticed changes in myself as well. I was once too shy to speak in front of a room of five people, let alone maybe one or two HUNDRED. But as an officer in the FFA, public speaking is just a part of the job. Fear is something that has always controlled the way I spoke in front of others and now I can't even remember why. The quiet girl who could hardly talk in front of five people can now proudly say she has confidently spoken in front of nearly 500 people. The FFA taught me a lot about myself but the best lesson I think I learned was that fear is only in your head. If you truly want to do something, you just have to believe you can do it.

So that's my story but if you're wondering how it ended, it didn't. For those of us who have "finished" our journey within the FFA, remember that it's never really over. All of the skills and experiences you gain in this organization will live on with you even after you graduate. I may no longer be a member of the National FFA Organization but I am a proud PSO, RA, student, friend, worker and everything else in between, because of it. I won't tell you that however much time you spend in the FFA will be enough, but I will tell you to spend it wisely and serve always.