What influenced you to join FFA?

I grew up surrounded by agriculture. My grandfather owned a dairy farm, and my mom grew up showing livestock. So naturally, I began showing livestock as soon as I was able to. My love for raising, training, and exhibiting livestock is ultimately what influenced me to join FFA. Although I have been an FFA member since the time I was in seventh grade, I didn’t become incredibly active within my chapter until my sophomore and junior years of high school. At this time my advisor, Mr. Slark, encouraged me to become a chapter officer, so I did. Long story short, I fell in love with the FFA organization and all of the opportunities it presents to students, and haven’t looked back since.

What inspired you to serve as a State Officer?

The first time I ever attended the State FFA Convention was in between my sophomore and junior year of high school. I still remember the chills I had and how starstruck I felt during the opening session of that convention. I was in AWE of the State Officers and the love, excitement, and commitment they had towards promoting FFA and the agriculture industry. I went through the rest of high school with the thought of becoming a State Officer in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t until the middle of my senior year when I actually believed in myself enough to take advantage of the opportunity. I noticed the difference that FFA had made in my life, and I wanted to be able to continue allowing that same difference to be made in the lives of others. I wanted to make a difference. Thanks to the patience of some Past State Officers who saw a spark in me, I am able to serve all of you today.

What are your favorite FFA experiences?

My favorite FFA experiences are collectively all of the random times spent with my Advisor, chapter members, and past teammates. Want to experience a 5-Star Concert? Hop in the van with Mr. Slark and the team. Want a snack during class? Ag room closet. Want to get out of study hall? Go hangout with Mr. Slark (uninvited) during his prep. Want to start the day off right before heading to Convention? Quick, get a group of chapter members together and carefully make your way across four-lane highways to the nearest Starbucks. Have a question for Mr. Slark? Call his extension at the most random times during the school day. All of the little things that you don’t realize are so significant in the moment, turn out to be the best memories. Embrace the time you have with your chapter members and teammates. Ask your Advisor for advice and guidance. Enjoy the time you’re given in this incredible organization.

What are your future plans?

I am currently attending Concordia University Wisconsin majoring in Elementary Education. I hope to someday teach in a rural school district where I am able to be involved in various agricultural organizations.

What is something members should know about you?

I take listening to music on road trips VERY seriously, but I have a bad habit of skipping to the next song about halfway through the first. What can I say, my playlists are too good to miss half of. Aside from music, I have a love for iced coffee, the color pink, shopping, extreme organization, reading, basketball, cattle, pigs, ice cream, leopard print, and flowers.