God Bless The Broken Road

It is so easy to get caught up in the moment, and forget all of the moments and memories that lead up to you being to where you are today. For me, it’s a long story full of twists and turns, full of ups and downs, laughter and tears, and, most importantly, relationships. Family, friends, mentors, and even people I met on my journey have gotten me to where I am. In my mind, everything happens for a reason; even though we may not know it at the time, there is a greater plan at play. I'm not sure that I could pin-point the moment that made me a State Officer, or the moment I realized that my best friends were my best friends, but I could tell you when I really learned how precious life really is. 11/22/23: a day that will be etched into my memory forever because that is the day that I lost one of my best friends. You see, when people tell you not to take life for granted, I always knew that they were right but I didn’t understand it fully. To me, people passing away wasn’t something that happened frequently or to anyone that I knew. I was in complete shock; I felt broken. How could life keep going on all around and he would be forever 18? Maybe that’s the beauty of it all, though; this messy journey, this broken road called life. Well, this could be tied into a beautiful bow the day after his eighteenth birthday. So young, full of life and dreams and hope; as we come upon one year of the hard lesson I had to learn the day Evan left, I never take my moments for granted. I try to live in the moment, always, and remember all of the beautiful souls that lead me down this beautifully broken road. 

Forever thankful for the moments we shared, 

Sienna Alexander 

Indiana FFA State Reporter

Acts Of Service

I had the opportunity to head back home for my FFA chapter’s Annual Veteran’s Day Program. This was always my favorite project that the chapter hosted. It was so inspiring to see members from 7th to 12th grade honor those who served. Throughout my life, I was influenced by many people who had a servant's heart. I also wanted to keep this going in my day-to-day life. I made volunteering for my community a priority. 

As the National Anthem played, I thought back to my graduation day when we recognized my classmates who were going into the service. This brought chills and tears to my eyes as I watched one of my best friends stand and wave to the crowd. Dylan truly chose to live to serve when he decided to enlist in the United States Navy. As we sent him off to basic, the tears that swelled his eyes saying goodbye to our small town still sting. 

To be a servant leader is to put others before yourself to better the people around you. All this time, I thought I was doing just that. After taking a step back and looking at those Veterans around me in the gymnasium who were too frail to even stand, I knew that these service men and women were the ones who exemplify servant leadership. Although I did not enlist in the service and risk everything to give back and serve my country. I hope one day I can say selflessly that I have a servant's heart. I want to live a life like the selfless Veterans who served and the current service men and women who are currently showing acts of service. I want to live like Dylan, always giving back to others.

Finding Pride In My American Roots

It’s July 4, 1976. George Washington is in the middle of leading the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the final draft of the Declaration of Independence is being signed by those in attendance. This document will change history forever as a new nation will be formed and will be declared the United States of America. 

Aside from being a big history buff, there are few things that I love more than being an American citizen. I genuinely love this country and wake up each morning thankful to know that I live in the greatest nation in the world. Just a few short days ago, I had the opportunity to participate in my first election. I was so proud to utilize my constitutional right and was yet again thankful to know that I live in a nation that is governed by its people and is for its people. 

Recently, at the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, I had the amazing opportunity to bear the Indiana State Flag in the presentation of each of the associations’ flags throughout the nation. I couldn’t help but become overwhelmed with joy and happiness as I carried my state’s flag alongside 51 other states and U.S. territories. 

What was most meaningful about this experience, however, was that I was surrounded by 51 other individuals who were just as proud and happy to be Americans as me. Not only were we each proud to bear our own state’s or territory’s flag, but we were proud to represent the big picture as a whole: “one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” While we each wore our own state’s name on the back of our FFA jackets, we were each proud of uniting under one organization and one nation. 

Although many things contribute to my great love for this country, there is one reason that rises to the top as to what makes this country so great: pride. We as American citizens take pride in our great nation. We are proud of the freedoms and peace that we experience in this nation. We are proud of being grounded in a democracy that puts its people first and is boosted by a Constitution that establishes liberty for every American. 

I find pride in my country because it has exemplified what the ideals of pride, love, liberty, patriotism, sacrifice, freedom, and unity should look like for nearly 250 years. This nation is where my roots lie; I am beyond humbled and proud to carry on my family’s generational love for this beautiful nation. I am truly proud to be an American and am blessed to know that my roots lie in the greatest nation in the world. 

Finding pride in my American roots,

Cale Williams

Indiana FFA State Southern Region Vice President

Boring Times, Good Memories

Oh Canada, one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to. You see, my chapter has an achievement camping trip to Canada every year which I thoroughly enjoyed. We would spend the week fishing, camping, and hiking. I enjoyed all those activities but my first year did not go as planned in one of those areas. It was Monday, which meant the big day fishing. Everyone hiked back to a lake to fish as we were told that it was a honey hole and every year lots of fish were caught by everyone. My buddy Connor and I decided that we would fish in one of the smaller rowboats together and were prepared to come back after the day with a stringer full of fish. Connor and I had already caught fish on another lake that we were told people rarely caught anything at, so how could we struggle here? We were right, not even 5 minutes in and we had already reeled in about a few fish big enough to keep, this had to be our day. Then we were wrong, fast forward a couple of hours and the only thing we were catching was logs underwater and trees on the land. We couldn’t get a single bite, but we thought things could turn around with one bite. Unfortunately, that bite never came so we sat there bored, with no cell phones or cell service, and in the middle of a lake in the middle of the woods in Canada with nothing but good scenery around… actually, that’s not that bad. Despite having no luck fishing I was able to enjoy amazing views and good conversation with no distractions as the whole crew gathered back up. Connor and I saw the huge amount of fish that everyone else brought in and we were blown away as we stood there with our three fish, a bit embarrassed but laughing nonetheless. It took us a bit to get over our horrible day of fishing but when it came down to it we had a good boring day. There are many times in life when we get bored and because things do not go our way, we pick up our phones or watch television to distract us from the boredom. Thankfully on that beautiful Monday in Canada, I didn’t have those options and I learned that even though it was a boring time all I got from it were good memories. Take the time in your life when you get bored to turn away from distractions and embrace what is right in front of you. Turns out you’ll probably remember a conversation you had or a sight you saw more than that time you were bored and looked at a screen. Boring Times lead to Good Memories.
Embrace what’s in front of you,Ethan WolheterIndiana FFA State President

Exploring National Convention

Take in every single moment. This is something I have learned to be vitally important throughout my life, and it is more crucial than ever at National Convention. At National Convention, you have the unique opportunity to meet members from all over the United States. Not only do you meet fellow members, but inside the expo hall, you also have the chance to connect with various vendors and stakeholders.

One of my favorite experiences at National Convention was heading to the expo hall, especially to the Culvers’ booth for a free scoop of custard. It may seem like a small thing, but it brought so many members together, and there’s always a conversation waiting to be started in line. You can forge many new connections during National Convention, and these can turn into long-lasting relationships. Reflecting on my time with my chapter, I realize that I didn’t take in every moment and missed opportunities to make those connections.

So, what can you expect at National Convention? You can anticipate an amazing time in general sessions, where you’ll hear from keynote speakers like Temple Grandin, listen to the retiring addresses of national officers, and celebrate award winners. Another highlight is the shopping mall; if you’re anything like me, you’ll always leave the store with something. Similar to the mall, you can expect to come out of the expo hall with some goodies, and the best part is that many things in the expo hall are FREE! Can you believe that?

Additionally, within the same area as the expo hall is the FFA mega store, which is the place to be for the latest FFA fashion. One last thing: no matter what your plans are during National Convention, if you can do one thing, make it a priority to connect with members from across the nation.

Explore Convention,

Garrett Bolin 

Indiana FFA State Sentinel

Serving After the Blue Jacket

    The weight of the blue corduroy jacket brings a comforting sense to all members who wear it. A feeling that they belong in this organization. The jacket serves as a compass on their journey of membership. 

    The first FFA jacket I ever wore belonged to my brother Austin. I remember zipping up the jacket for the first time as it hugged me. I knew this jacket marked the start of my journey in FFA. I knew this jacket meant I had big shoes to fill.

    Austin acquired many leadership positions during his time in FFA as he led with others’ best interests at heart. Austin’s leadership tactics are that of a shepherd. The shepherd stands back while his lambs wander and discover for themselves. The lambs fail to realize the shepherd has been guiding them the entire time. A good shepherd stays with his lamb throughout the night enduring the same cold weather. He is not any better than those who depend on his guidance. 

    Austin was a servant leader to all Indiana FFA members as he served as Indiana FFA State Treasurer from 2018-2019. His passion for serving others did not cease when he hung up his jacket. Austin has since joined the United States National Guard. He is now a Ranger tabbed First Lieutenant, serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader. He is currently deployed exemplifying his servant leadership.

    I am very fortunate to watch Austin inspire countless people. Whether Austin was in the corduroy jacket or serving our country, my brother brings others to their fullest potential. Austin never expects any praise for his efforts as he has the modesty of a shepherd. He only wants to make a difference.

    Service does not end with your FFA membership. Service is a dedication to the world around you. FFA is only a stepping stone that marks the start of your commitment to service. Let your jacket guide you throughout your career in FFA. Let your experiences and values of our organization guide you in your next chapter of life.

    As I continue to look up to my older brother, I hope to be half the leader he is. Austin lives to serve just like the FFA motto suggests. A life of service is a life of purpose.

Living to serve,

Stephanie Berenda

Indiana FFA Northern Region Vice President

Running on Empty

        Far too often my to-do list and thoughts turn from “Create this, write that, contact them, build a relationship with them” to “be better, improve more” and keep going until it sounds like “you're not doing enough, you’re not doing well enough, you’re not enough”. The thoughts circle and spiral until you don’t remember where you started, where you are, or why you’re there. The thoughts drain you like nothing else. Before you know it only a few thoughts have brought you to a feeling of nothing and no one around. Empty.

        Maybe this isn’t your exact thought process, but I’m sure at one point or another you have felt this emptiness. I know I have. 

        I remember the expression that everyone has a cup that fills or empties based on their actions. If you are constantly going, going, gone then your cup will empty quickly; if you take time to do what you enjoy your cup will slowly fill back up. I’m someone who enjoys working, too much at times; this leads me to not realizing when I am getting burned out until it is far too late. Many days I work first thing in the morning through dinner and then after dinner, I either work more or watch some TV while thinking about everything I could or should be doing. This only empties my cup further or if I can successfully take my mind off work while watching TV, then my cup stays at a stalemate. To refill my cup I must prioritize the things I genuinely enjoy doing. For me this is crafting; from crocheting to pottery to basketry, anything I can get my hands on to create something out of seemingly nothing fills my cup up. The feeling of creative freedom where I don’t have to do anything, but that I get to. My cup empties quickly but fills very slowly. Emptying a cup is quick and takes little energy, filling it up, however, that takes time and effort. 

        One of my favorite ways to use my cup of energy is to fill up the cups of those around me. Oftentimes for me, this isn’t buying them a gift, but it’s spending time with them. Asking them questions and caring about what they say in return. It’s finding the moment to sit down and chat about anything, no matter how mundane it may seem at the time. These moments, no matter how small or large, are the moments that stick with me the most.

Finding the balance between emptying and filling my cup is one of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn. You see, if I only empty my cup then I’m running on fumes trying to make it seem like I’m full and filling others. But if I were to only fill my cup then I would get nothing done and wouldn’t be able to fill up those around me. That balance is key to enjoying life and truly finding joy. A joy that comes with everything you do and is evident to everyone around you. Emptiness robs people of their joy; joy replaces emptiness. Your joy can fill your feelings of emptiness and can rub off on others so they feel less alone.

What fills your cup?

Christina Caldwell

Indiana FFA State Secretary