Do you know someone who you never remember meeting, but you are so glad you did? Like you have known them so long you can't remember not knowing them. This is the situation with Mr. Holton and me. I grew up with his kids, and although they are both younger than me we have always been close. We have all been encouraged by someone in our lives. Whether it was the lady with cancer who never gave up her fight, or the guy who was always wanting better for the world. One of the most influential people I have ever met would have to be one of my high school agriculture teachers Mr. Holton. He has a lovely wife and two boys, and I have known them forever. Ethan and Eli are younger than me by a few years and his wife is the new principle at the primary school. I showed goats with his children, and we participated in numerous clubs and activities together.

He is the Young Farmers advisor on top of being an agriculture teacher and working for the board of education. He has always inspired me to be the best “me” I could be. Yes, I am sure I have let him down a time or two, but if all else fails my ultimate goal is to “be the best me I can be and always remember to have fun while doing it” an infamous quote from man who not only preaches it, but also lives it. He has huge responsibilities in his many jobs, but one thing that never fails is the fact that he is going to enjoy the responsibility and do it with pride. He has always been the one to encourage me to apply for the camps over the summer relating to my major, and was always the first call I made when I got accepted.

He always got me out of the other agriculture classes to help him with various Young Farmers things he needed from secretarial work to double checking the grocery list. Every day I would go to his office to see what was on the agenda for the day, and see if I could get out of forestry, and I got the same talk every day. I would walk into his office and go straight for the other office chair and start spinning while he got his list together. It never failed, his office was always cluttered and had everything from tools to thick clumps of dust everywhere. I still smell the fresh welding dust when I think about his office. The bell would ring and it was time to get started with the usual talk and to prepare to conquer the list. He started off with "Now I just want you to know I am very proud of you for all you have done over the years" and by the end of the year he started with " Now you know I am very proud of you for getting into ABAC, but do not make me regret saying that".

His simple “tell you like it is" kind of attitude, and I do too, I guess that is why we got along so well. I loved hearing his honest criticism and didn’t mind returning the favor with my overly opinionated criticism. He started encouraging me the second we met. There is not a time I can recall that he has not encouraged me, or asked how my life goals were coming along. I have had numerous talks with him about which career would best suit me, and the requirements to get there. No matter what he was doing Mr. Holton always made time to thank me for helping him, and never let me keep my head hung low or a frown on my face.

There was never a time that something in my life happened and him not have anything to say about it. Mr. Holton even had an opinion on my relationship status. It is weird how someone else can know you better than you know yourself. Ever since I can remember Mr. Holton was always the one encouraging me to do my homework, and leave the boys alone. He has always been my go to from proofreading papers to listening to my problems and giving me the best advice.

Teachers are special, but it takes a very special person to be an agriculture teacher. These men and women go above and beyond their call of duty to ensure every student has the opportunity and resources to be successful in life. "There is a time for school and it is not two or three or five years after you graduate, it is now." These are the words any student who has come in contact with Mr. Holton has heard numerous times. He has been in our shoes, and his wife just finished going back to school. Our small town is full of those kids who will never leave and go see the world outside their comfort zone. He pushed me to make above average grades so I could participate in the numerous trips from Macon to Kentucky, and honestly I am glad I got to experience more to life than my everyday routine. As an officer in FFA I honestly felt like I had another family to go to. Mr. Holton is such a family man and made us all feel like his children. No, long trips are not for everyone, but with the right mindset and group of people they can truly change one’s life.

Maybe you did not have an agriculture teacher. Maybe your encouragement came from a completely different person. I hope everyone meets a person like Mr. Holton. I would gladly put my life on the line and fight for that man with just as much pride as he has had in giving me advice and teaching me to be the young lady I am today. He has always been dedicated to his students, and families of the students as well. Him or his wife have taught most of my friends’ parents, and my stepdad, so he has been around for a while and knows the ins and outs of almost every subject of agriculture, but I will never forget the impact he has made on my life. From expanding my passion for agriculture to encouraging me to chase my dreams and not only to go to college, but to succeed in college. He always says “anyone can go to college, but very few can stay and make something of themselves.” If it were not for his numerous pep-talks and constant words of encouragement, I honestly do not believe I would be here writing this article.