The Eye of the Storm

December is a whirlwind of celebrations, holiday stress, and endless to-do lists. February often marks the return of life’s chaos. But between those months in January–the eye of the storm, a chance to feel calm, reset, and have an empty slate.
To me January is peaceful; I love getting the chance to sit by the fireplace, watch Criminal Minds, and curl up with my heated blanket while the snow is falling outside. It’s a chance for me to refresh myself after a month full of stress while momentarily ignoring the impending future that is February.It feels like a moment of quiet between lightning and thunder—a rare second to simply breathe.
I often want to linger in the peace that is the month of January, ignoring both sides of the storm: past and future. But I have to remind myself that the eye of the storm isn’t just a pause–it’s an opportunity.
An opportunity to push myself, to grow, to reflect on what I have done and what I want to achieve, and to take action on those insights. A chance to make new connections and nurture old ones. Most importantly, an opportunity to embrace life. Reflection often begins with gratitude—take a moment today to write down five things you’re thankful for, big or small. It’s a simple step toward embracing the good while preparing for the challenges ahead.
Reflect on the past, embrace the future, and enjoy the calm.
Embracing the eye of the storm,Christina CaldwellIndiana FFA State Secretary

184 Days of Making Memories… and Counting

Thank you. All I have to say is thank you. I cannot believe it has been six months since being elected as the 2024-2025 Indiana FFA State Reporter. When I was elected, I was overwhelmed with emotions; I was scared, excited, proud, and even upset. I was upset for the candidates that I wouldn’t serve alongside, scared of what the future held, and I was overflowing with excitement for the journey ahead. And most importantly, I was proud of how far I had come and how hard I had worked for the opportunity to serve the members of Indiana FFA.

As we pass the six month mark of our state officer year, I can confidently say I have made many special memories in just six months and so many friendships that will last a lifetime. From my favorite camp memories, to district kickoffs, FFA members are the root of every special memory. On difficult days, walking into classrooms and being able to connect with members from all over the state make every hard day worth it. When I'm feeling unmotivated or stressed, knowing that I get to serve something bigger than myself always keeps me going. So, Indiana FFA, I thank you for all of the special memories that I will forever cherish from the past six months and I cannot wait to see what the next six hold! 

With gratitude, 

Sienna Alexander 

Indiana FFA State

Dear 2025

I hope you bring me joy and lots of laughs

I pray you take care of my family and keep them in a close grasp

I wish for nothing but the best in the next year of my life

But even if you can’t hold your end of the deal and some things may sting

I will still appreciate the growth that the season will bring

I know the experiences will be worth while 

Even if some of them don’t make me smile

 I’m excited for the planned and unplanned of the next season

Just please throw them at me with good reason

I welcome you with open arms 

And pray for a good year of planting and harvest for all farms

Bless the land and all it grows

So that I can thank you whenever the wind blows

Watch over our country and all those who serve

Shine a bright light over us that we can observe 

2024 will be hard to beat 

Since everything I did was just so so sweet

I will dearly miss what last year gave

But so thrilled for my new road to be paved

Looking to 2025,

Ky Baker

Indiana FFA State Treasurer

Making The Most Of The Change

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the Elf has captured the hearts of millions since the release of the hit Christmas movie Elf over twenty one years ago. While I’m still a big fan of Home Alone as my go to holiday movie choice (y’all can fight me later), Buddy shares some pretty great wisdom in this quote from Elf. The holiday season is all about being positive and being generous to others.

For as long as I can remember, my Christmas schedule has looked a little like this: at noon on Christmas Eve, my mom’s extended side of the family would meet at my great aunt and uncle’s house followed by dinner at my grandma and grandpa’s house in which my cousins and I would receive our gifts from our grandparents. On Christmas morning, my brothers and I would wake up our parents way too early in the morning to open presents, followed by brunch with my dad’s side of the family and ultimately dinner at my house with my mom’s parents again. It’s always been a pretty loaded schedule, but nonetheless a great opportunity to catch up with family members that I hadn’t seen in a while and, of course, load myself up with all the presents that I was going to receive. 

However, one thing that always crosses my mind at each family Christmas gathering is the change that my family incurs from year to year: the venues of our gatherings would change due to someone’s declining health, my cousins might bring their new boyfriends or girlfriends with them, and, as I got older, the presents turned from toys to money (which wasn’t completely bad). My surroundings were constantly changing and Christmas continued to feel less and less like it used to. 

As the change continued on year after year, I realized that it wasn’t going away. In fact, things were continuing to change faster than they were before. It was at this point that I realized that I needed to embrace the change and make the most of it. I recognized that the change more often than not brought good to my family Christmas time. My cousins’ significant others allowed me to have more friends at our family gatherings and each venue allowed me to engage in something new each and every year. 

During this magical time of the year, I challenge you to accept and embrace the change that comes your way. When we choose to look past ourselves and find the good and positivity in the present (and not just the presents we might get under the tree), we will truly make the most of our time together this Christmas season!

Making the most of the change,

Cale Williams

Indiana FFA State Southern Region Vice President

Off the Trail

Throughout this year as an Indiana FFA State Officer, I’ve learned through my interactions and experiences this year that becoming a successful leader is not always a straight path. It can be easy for one to be caught up in the idea of following the trail that’s been laid out; whether that be expectations of our roles, the routines of our day, or the paths others have paved for us. The truth is growth as a leader often means stepping out of our comfort zone and onto the beaten path.

I was reminded of this while out at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in late November. My teammates and I were following a trail back to see and as we did so I kept hopping off the trail and climbing on rock formations or doing some other kind of exploring. I kept myself quite entertained while doing so by finding objects that seemed like a challenge to get over and making my way across them. I was thoroughly enjoying my time when I pondered this question “Why did I like going off the trail so much?”. It would have been much simpler to stay on the designated trail and do as any other tourist would do and walk on, but what made me want to explore the rough terrain more? Maybe it was just because I like to have fun and climb on things but after thinking longer I realized that it was more about doing something that maybe nobody else had done before. You see, lots of people had hiked that trail but how many people have climbed over some boulders off to the side? I learned how that can be just like growing as a successful leader, we can choose to stay on the same old path or do something a little more unconventional because it is when you get off the trail and try something new you are being forced to do something that you’ve never done before and that’s when the opportunity for growth arises.

I encourage everyone to try their hand at getting off the beaten path. This may mean doing a contest that no one at your chapter has ever competed in or attempting to do something new in your role as a chapter officer in FFA. It can even be as simple as treating others with respect and kindness at all times even if no one else is doing it. The conventional route isn’t always the best route or the right route so venture off the trail.

Go off the Trail,

Ethan Wolheter

Indiana FFA State President

Wondering Why

One question I get asked often is, “Why did you decide to run for state office?” And, to be honest, it still catches me off guard every time. When I first made the decision to run, I thought I had my answer all figured out but I really didn’t. After watching Simon Sinek’s speech, “Start with Why,” I reflected and I realized that what I had wasn’t a true “why” statement at all. What I had was a “what” statement. I knew what I wanted to do, and I knew how I would do it, but I couldn’t fully grasp the deeper reason behind it all. The answer I always told myself was that I wanted to create a positive impact on the lives of Indiana FFA members. But as I kept thinking about it, I started asking myself: Why did I want that? I knew it was a core part of what being a state officer is all about, and it aligned with who I am as a person, but I still couldn’t quite put my finger on the deeper motivation. That is, until I received a happy gram at FIRE that said, “Thank you for being a friend and someone I can talk to, even when I’m feeling nervous.”

Reading that happy gram was a turning point for me. It made me realize that my "why" is actually something much deeper than I had originally thought. It’s not just about having an impact—it’s about showing Indiana FFA members that they are valued, that they belong, and that they are important. It’s about creating an environment where, when they leave FFA, they can look back and know that they truly felt a sense of belonging during their time in the organization.

This experience helped me understand that my “why” is more than just a mission—it's a personal commitment to fostering a space where every FFA member feels seen, heard, and appreciated. And now, more than ever, I know that this is why I do what I do. What is your “why”?

Find your “why”,

Garrett Bolin

State Sentinel

The Best Pit Crew

Showing cattle is a lot like NASCAR. There is the car (calf), the driver (the showman), the pit crew (fitters and clippers), and the crew chief (the boss). During the time I spent showing cattle, my pit crew consisted of my brothers and my crew chief was my father. Whether we were in Denver, Sioux Falls, or at our county fair, my family was always there to help me get my calves ready.

My favorite cars (calves) were Crossbred, Chianina, and Maine steers. Unfortunately, those breeds typically show close together, meaning we would need to fit one steer while the other steer is showing. As the showman, I always went to the ring with the calf. While I was away from the chutes, I would worry about the other steers. I worried “What if the steer won’t be ready in time?” and “Are the legs going to be clipped too tight?”

No matter what, the steers were always in good care. My brother, Hayden, always volunteered to stay back at the stall to fit. As much as I wanted him to watch me show, I knew we needed him with the other steers. Hayden can pull a back leg like no one else. He is one of the most talented fitters I know. Not to mention, Hayden makes the environment fun to be a part of with his playlist and jokes. He would put most NASCAR pit crews to shame. Hayden is someone I can always count on.

Just like in NASCAR, we can't get very far without a pit crew. We need people we can count on and trust—people who can pick us up during our lows. Who is your pit crew?

With sincere appreciation,

Stephanie Berenda

Indiana FFA Northern Region Vice President