Last night, I had the opportunity to travel to the Northside FFA Chapter banquet. If you aren't familiar with FFA or the banquets that consume this time of year, each FFA chapter conducts an end of the year banquet to recognize the achievements of FFA members. FFA members receive plaques for participation in Career Development Events (competitions that give students various career and life skills), recognition for meeting those qualifications of the Greenhand, Chapter, or State Degrees (degrees honoring success in a student's Supervised Agricultural Experience, an agricultural project the student performs outside of the classroom to practice skills learned inside the classroom), and retiring chapter officers give keynote addresses expressing their gratitude and sentiments.

Ok, I think you get the drift. It's a time to celebrate accomplishments, hang out with friends and family, and look back fondly on your year as an FFA member. You also eat yummy food... including piglet cupcakes.

I love attending banquets. I love watching the interaction between FFA members and their agriculture teachers. I love the look on a member's face when they receive an unanticipated award. I love hearing an officer speak about his or her experiences in FFA, and to do so in a way that makes me reflect on my own. I love watching individuals cry tears of happiness, and I love being there for that tender moment. I am honored to share those special moments with FFA chapters, because I know what it feels like to be on that side of the table.

FFA members gain hundreds of technical skills. They become better public speakers and critical thinkers. They collectively do millions of hours of community service. They are prepared to enter over 300 careers in agriculture.

Do I love FFA because of these reasons? Yes. Absolutely. I will never be able to quantify the skill it has given me. I would not be the leader, speaker, or poultry judger I am today. But, ask any FFA member why they love this organization, and you might just get my favorite reason:

The FFA made me a better person.

A particular moment struck me during the banquet. The retiring chapter president, Kelly Winstead, began her retiring address with my absolute favorite quote:

"I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou

To say I love this quote would be an understatement. It is not merely a quote, but a way of life. Every single interaction you have with another person gives you the opportunity to leave an impression. No matter how small or large the interaction, you impact another person. Think about some of your fondest memories. Do you remember the details? What was said or exactly done? Maybe, maybe not. But I guarantee you remember the way they made you feel. How are you making others feel? Are you smiling? Are you thanking the person who prepares your morning coffee? Are you leaving kind post it notes? Are you picking up a piece of trash on the ground? Are you making someone else's day brighter or easier? It is simple and easy to do. Often times, it's just a matter of how you carry yourself.

Kelly continued her retiring address, and spoke about how it took just one person to change her life. It took one person to jump start her FFA career. It took one person who cared enough to believe in her. That person is Kelly's agriculture teacher. That person is my sister.

Kelly explained that before Ashley, she was still an FFA member... but was merely going through the motions. Not much was invested in her, therefore she didn't invest much of herself. Ashley was that one person who sparked her FFA career and gave her the power to dream bigger than she ever had. Kelly now has goals that never even crossed her mind before Ashley became her agriculture teacher. It's funny... Ashley did the exact same thing for me.

I am really proud of FFA members and the work they are doing across this country. I couldn't be more honored to say I'm a member of this organization.

I am also really proud of my big sister, and couldn't be more honored to be related to someone who is making others' dreams come true.

The FFA Motto:

Learning to Do,

Doing to Learn,

Earning to Live,

Living to Serve.

Thank you to the Northside FFA chapter and to my sister Ashley for being examples of what this organization is really all about.