The Blue Jacket

National Blue and Corn Gold; the two colors that represent The National FFA Association, and two colors that I accredit many of my accomplishments too. As National FFA week approaches, I can’t help but reflect on all the memories I have made while wearing my blue jacket. From competing contests, to leading my chapter, to earning a full-ride scholarship to DMACC, I can say FFA has helped shape me into the person I am today.

Since being a freshman in high school, I have participated in many contests like conduct of meetings, experience the action, agricultural issues, and many more. I have earned various skills that have improved my public speaking as well as my knowledge in different parts of the agricultural industry. I was able to put on my blue jacket for another time to participate in the collegiate agricultural discussions competition where I met some amazing new people as well as reunite with some old friends. It was great to be able to sit in the glorious Hilton Coliseum again to experience breathtaking moments of the state officers going through the motions of the opening ceremony at the beginning of each session, not to mention seeing one of my best friends being elected as a state officer for the next year.

Holding leadership roles in my chapter allowed me to be more involved with my fellow members as well as the community. I would not take back my time as the chapter president and vice-president because it really allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and create memories that would last a lifetime. My favorite part of being president would have to be being involved with our chapter’s alumni because it was an integral part of the chapter’s improvement to become more involved with the community. Working with them showed me the importance of communication and networking that corresponds to professional skills that can help lead to success.

Despite my many achievements throughout my FFA career, my most important would have to be receiving the Mark Pearson Foundation Scholarship through DMACC. It has allowed me to attend college for free for the first two years. This opportunity led to me being able to discover my interests as I tried out different kinds of classes to see what I like. Being at DMACC also led to me building relationships with some great friends as well as professors and famous people in the music industry. Being a part of the DMACC choir has been a huge part of my college experience, and one I wouldn’t trade for the world. I have a lot I owe to this scholarship as it decreased a lot of financial burdens I would have in the future as well as build a bridge to future success as I take advantage of what I have earned.

Therefore, I am proud to say I bleed blue and gold as FFA has and still contributes to achievements and success. I don’t know where I would be if I had never walked into those doors of the agriculture department 5 years ago, but I could never look back on my decision to put on the blue jacket and say yes to opportunity. That being said, FFA is not just about cows, sows, and plows. As stated in the mission of the National FFA, it is about leadership, personal growth, and career success as well as opportunity and memories to cherish forever.