Hungry and Humble

The Conference Center at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center was split into four different sections.  Each of the four sections had some hungry, hungry FFA members. Members had the chance to play a human version of the classic childhood game, Hungry Hungry Hippos. Colored balls were set up in the center of the room for members to “eat” with a laundry basket. As one group member would put on their helmet and lay down on a scooter their teammate would be reeling them in and out with the string attached to the scooter. The first goal was to lift up their basket to collect as many balls as possible, but eventually the goal became more challenging. Students were then assigned a color and would only get points for the balls in their basket that were that color. While this was challenging for students, they remained hungry and used that challenge to motivate them.

In life, there are times where we want to lose that hunger for success. Times where we become discouraged because we do not reach our goals and dreams, or that loss of hunger may even come from someone else saying we are not capable of achieving our goal. Your goal could be anything from being awarded a Grand Champion Banner to beating your records at the next sports game or winning an FFA Career Development Event. Whatever the goal may be for you, remember to stay hungry for success. Do not let others discourage you and certainly do not discourage yourself. One may not achieve their goals the first, second, or even the hundredth time, but they could easily be on the brink of success and achieve their goal the next time they try.

During Summer Challenge, attendees had the chance to look into a different meaning of hunger throughout the Hunger for Innovation Project. Participants discussed that many do not get access to quality nutrition and that 40% of all food in the United States is wasted. Through a poverty dinner, tracking food waste and group discussions members began to realize that the statistics related to hunger are more than just statistics. The statistics represent real people that are hurting not only across the globe, but also right in our backyards. Facilitator Jacob Mueller said, “If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world.” While we continue staying hungry, never forget to stay humble. Many of the things we take for granted are what others would do anything to have.

Just as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson once said, “Be humble. Be hungry. And always be the hardest worker in the room.” FFA members, supporters and stakeholders always remember the importance of remaining humble during successes, hungry during failures and hardworking always.

Hungry to grow and humbled to serve,

Leah Jacobs

2016-2017 Indiana FFA State Reporter