FFA Members, Why Are We Here? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

FFA Members, Why Are We Here?

How FFA has forever changed me for the better.

282
FFA Members, Why Are We Here?
Google

Question: How many of you actually liked high school? I know I didn't. They say it's the best four years of your life, but to me, they were kind of the worst. Now don't get me wrong, I did enjoy some parts of high school. (S/O to William Henry Harrison High School)

But the one thing I will always remember will be all hours spent in the Ag building after (and sometimes during school) doing FFA stuff.

FFA is an AMAZING organization that does amazing things. FFA has been known as "Future Farmers of America" in the past but this organization is made up of more than just farmers. Anyone who wants to join is more than welcome to join.

I am not an Ag major and yet I was an officer of my chapter my senior year. Although sometimes I didn't like wearing that hot corduroy blue jacket in the dead heat of summer or during school hours when people would tease you for wearing it, I wouldn't change a thing. Honestly, if it wasn't for FFA, I probably wouldn't have had many friends. FFA has helped me grow in ways I never thought I would have. Not only did I gain new friends, but I found my confidence and for the first time in my life I could speak for myself.

I have always been somewhat of a shy child and never really had much to say. But during my junior year, I really started to come out of my shell. As the year went on, I go better and better at public speaking, which prepared me for my college speech class.

Although I have graduated, I am still involved with my old chapter. I volunteer there to help out the scrapbook team. And yes I do get asked "Why do I still come?" or "Do you have a life?" and even "You graduated, you don't need to be here."

The answer I want to give is "I still come because this organization has helped me grow and helped me become a better person, and for that, I will always do what I can to help. FFA is forever, and forever I will help."

After all, the FFA motto is "Learning to do, Doing to learn, Earning to live, Living to serve." That right there is some pretty powerful words to live by. And for the past five years, those are the words in which I did/do live by.

Once you start, it is really hard to stop. I just want to say that if it wasn't for these words, I would probably still be stuck in my shyness shell. But no, because I have lived by them I am a forever changed person.

I have always seen the good in people but when you get a bunch of FFA members to do something, they do it. One of my favorite things that my old chapter does is they have a community garden that they plant, weed, water, and harvest all by hand each and every summer. But they don't keep the food or sell it, no they donate it all, ALL, to a food pantry who is always in need of fresh food. To see the faces of the volunteers when buckets full of food come through the door, it's a feeling you will never forget.

But most of all, it's a reaction you will never forget. That right there is what this motto means. I am grateful that I got to experience that whole thing. Living to serve is one reason I want to be a teacher.


All I got to say to anyone reading this is; go serve your community, give back, and see what you can do for your local FFA chapter. Thank you to all of the amazing and wonderful AG teachers and FFA advisers out there! Without you, there would be know AG industry. So thank you. And thank you to FFA in general. You have changed me for the better. I am no longer a shy child, I give back to my community and I have had amazing five years being apart of you. Personal growth is very important to you; and you work hard to see that every member had some sort of personal growth, and I just got to say that you have at least one success story. So thank you!



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

907
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

26915
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11270
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments