A Little Piece of Home

“Lebanon, Indiana!”

That’s where I call home.

Over the past few months, the Indiana FFA State Officer Team has had the gift of being on the road, going all over the state. Somewhere during almost every visit, I get asked the same question:

“Where are you from?”

I always answer the same way: “I call Lebanon, Indiana home.”

Sometimes I try to find a map and point it out. Other times, I use my hand to show where it is in the state. If neither of those work, I simply do my best to explain it. “It’s between Lafayette and Indianapolis!

The more I answer that question, the more I’ve started to think about it. My hometown is so much more than just a place on a map.

When I think about Lebanon, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t a location. It’s the people.

It’s the teachers and school staff who pour so much into their students.

It’s the friends who push you to take a leap of faith, even when it feels scary.

It’s the family who is always willing to answer a FaceTime call or listen to your stories or crazy ideas.

Between all the miles and all the new places, I’ve started to realize that I never actually left home. I’ve been carrying it with me. You never truly leave home because you carry it with you in who you are and how you love others.

Even when Lebanon is hundreds of miles away, I still find pieces of it in the way I connect with people, and the way I show up each day. I think about the people who poured so much into me to help me become the person I am today.

At some point, all of us will step away from what’s familiar, whether that’s for college, a job, a vacation, or something new.

That step can feel exciting, but it can also feel uncertain. It’s easy to focus on what’s different instead of what still feels like home. It’s up to us to make that choice and find a sense of home in the communities and people around us.

I’ve realized I don’t leave home when I put miles on the odometer. I just make room for more of it. 

In every classroom I’ve visited this year, you’ve made me feel at home through the way you welcomed me into your communities.  You’ve taught me that home isn’t a place, but the people. It’s something you carry with you, like a little piece of home in your pocket, shown in the way you love others because of your roots.

No matter where this blue jacket takes me next, I know one thing for certain: I’ll always carry a little piece of Lebanon, Indiana with me.

With a piece of home in my pocket,

Lauren Argotte

Indiana FFA State Secretary

Ten Things Kaitlyn Can’t Live Without

While on the road the past few weeks, I have met hundreds of FFA members and students. During my classroom facilitation workshop on motivation, we talk about the things that motivate us the most- or things we cannot live without. Hearing so many different perspectives and learning about students favorite hobbies, restaurants, sports, FFA events, things to do for fun, etc. has got me thinking a lot about my favorite things.

1. Agriculture- Honestly, no one can live without this one! Agriculture provides food, fuel, and fiber to the world. So everyone needs agriculture! Personally, I have a deep love and passion for this industry so I definitely couldn’t live without it.
2. Family, Friends, and Mentors- This is the group of people who support me in all that I do. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without all of the people who have been by my side every single step of the way and have sacrificed so much for me to succeed. The ones who always accept and support me: through the good, bad, ugly, and great.
3. A Calendar- If I didn’t have a place to keep my schedule, I would be a MESS! My calendar is a necessary tool in keeping me organized… and sane.
4. Coke Zero- I know many people would call this a slight addiction (and maybe I would agree with them) but there is nothing like a cold and fizzy Coke Zero! A fresh Coke Zero instantly boosts my mood!
5. House plants- Considering I have over 200 house plants, I feel like they have to make this list. When I work with my plants it helps me think clearly and escape my stressful thoughts at the same time. It is definitely my form of therapy.
6. My Phone- As much as we all hate to admit it, a lot of our lives are in the little box of technology we call an iPhone. This little device helps me navigate where I’m going, connect with friends and family when we cannot be together in person, and answers all of my dumb blonde questions I have throughout the day.
7. Hair spray- The curls in my hair wouldn’t survive without hairspray, and neither would my nylons! Hairspray keeps the nylon runs away!
8. Faith- Put it all in the Lord’s hands. He has a beautiful plan for every single one of us!
9. Trips- I LOVE to travel! Life is better with a trip to look forward to.
10. Ice Cream- In the wise words of my mom, “Ice cream makes everything better!” This is my go to sweet treat, pick me up, or date with friends! Nothing beats yummy ice cream! Bonus points if it’s from Jiffy Treat or Cone Palace, my two favorite ice cream shops in the world!

What are the things you can’t live without? 

Your friend,

Kaitlyn Maruszewski

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State President

More Than a Meal

As a traveling FFA state officer, I spend a lot of time on the road. New towns. New schools. New members. New conversations. Every chapter visit is different, but I have found one question that works almost every time:

“So… where’s the go to supper spot around here?”

It sounds simple, but that question opens doors.

When I ask members about their favorite place to eat, their faces light up. Suddenly, we are not just talking about contests, leadership workshops, or schedules. We are talking about Friday night traditions. After game burgers. The local diner where everyone knows your order. The café that supports their chapter at every fundraiser.

Food connects people because it tells a story.

In agriculture, we already understand the power of food. It is what we produce. It is what feeds communities. But it is also what gathers us around tables, tailgates, and kitchen counters. When members tell me about their favorite supper spot, they are sharing a piece of their hometown pride.

Sometimes it is a café run by an FFA family who talks about their days in FFA as they ring me up at the register. Sometimes it is an international market with nothing but pictures on the wall for a menu. Sometimes it is a small corner spot serving surprisingly good catfish. Maybe it is even a bakery that opens before dawn, serving the best donuts known to man, or an Amish grocery store where you get the best bang for your buck. Whatever it is, it matters to them, and that makes it matter to me.

As I travel, I have realized that asking about food is not really about the food. It is about belonging. It is about saying:

“I want to know what home tastes like to you.”
“I want to know what you love about your hometown.”

More often than not, that simple supper question leads to deeper conversations about their goals after high school, their families, and why FFA matters to them.

Leadership is not always about big speeches or grand gestures. Sometimes it is about pulling up a chair, sharing a meal, and listening.

So if you ever find yourself in a new place, whether it is a chapter visit, a conference, or just a new season of life, try asking:

“What’s the go to supper spot?”

You might leave with more than a full stomach and a smile. You might leave with a stronger connection and a good story.

Always looking for a good conversation over a meal,

Jenna Lawler

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State Reporter

From Chapter to Chapter: Why the Blue Jacket Matters

There is something special about walking into a school wearing a blue jacket.

Every chapter visit is different. Different buildings. Different students. Different advisors. But the heartbeat is always the same: agriculture, opportunity, and people who care deeply about their students.

Over the past several weeks, the team and I have been visiting with different chapters across the state of Indiana. I have had the opportunity to visit Indian Creek, Corydon Central, Crawford County, Paoli, Woodlan, and Lakeland FFA, and each stop has reminded me why this organization is so powerful.

At Indian Creek, Mr. Dunn and Mrs. Ulrich demonstrated flexibility and commitment to their students. Even with a busy schedule, their willingness to combine classes and encourage collaboration between middle and high school students showed intentional leadership in action.

At Corydon Central, I was reminded that leadership is often built in small moments. Whether it was facilitating teamwork conversations, helping Brayden with homework, or playing chess with Kyler, those one-on-one interactions reinforced how strong relationships create strong programs.

At Crawford County, Mr. Howell and his students made the day one I won’t forget. Watching welding students push themselves outside their comfort zones was a powerful reminder that growth rarely happens in comfort. The “Pasture of Strengths” we created together still sticks with me as a visual reminder that every student brings their own unique strengths to the classroom.

At Paoli FFA, their commitment to creating opportunities for students was evident in their swine operation. They provide members with the chance to purchase a quality hog at a great price. Their willingness to invest in hands-on experiences shows how agricultural education can equip students with responsibility, work ethic, and confidence that extends far beyond the barn.

At Woodlan FFA, Mrs. Hammon and her members welcomed us with incredible hospitality. Spending time with their officer team over lunch and seeing their willingness to try new things showed me what trueleadership looks like.

At Lakeland FFA, Mr. Taylor and Mrs. Bateman opened their classrooms and allowed us to work directly with their students. Their advocacy for agricultural education was evident in every conversation, and I left encouraged by the students' engagement.

Each chapter visit teaches me something new. Sometimes it’s about teamwork. Sometimes it’s about perseverance. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up and being present.

What has stood out most is this: the blue jacket may say “Association,” but it represents something much bigger than one person. It represents every advisor who stays late. Every student who takes a risk. Every member who steps into a contest, workshop, or leadership role and is unsure of what might happen next.

And the journey isn’t over.

The team and I are excited for the road ahead, and I’m looking forward to my upcoming visits to Churubusco, Columbia City, Whitko, Warsaw, Shoals, North Daviess, Washington, Gibson Southern, and South Knox. I’m excited to meet new members, hear new stories, and continue learning from the incredible people who make up Indiana FFA.

Chapter visits aren’t just about delivering workshops or facilitating activities. They’re about connection. They’re about listening. They’re about reminding students that their strengths matter and that their future in agriculture is full of possibilities.

Every time I leave a school, I drive away grateful, grateful for the advisors who pour into their students, the members who engage and ask questions, and the opportunity to serve.

Because at the end of the day, it’s never just about the miles traveled.

It’s about the people met along the way.

Always striving,

Calvin Myers

2025–2026 Indiana FFA State Southern Region Vice President

Unwritten

“A few weeks ago, my English teacher gave us an assignment: choose a song and analyze it

through the lens of various "issues of literature," exploring both its meaning and purpose. As

soon as I turned to my best friend to begin working on the assignment, we already had one

song in mind: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.

Now, a little background about my friends and me: we love to listen to music whenever we

hang out. But if our friend group had a Spotify Wrapped, "Unwritten" would definitely top the

list as the most played song. We’ve sung along to it countless times without really thinking

about its deeper meaning.

As my friend Grace and I sat down to analyze the lyrics for the assignment, something clicked

for me. Even though we had both listened to the song over and over, I’d never really studied

its lyrics before. That’s when I realized - so many of the lyrics felt like they were speaking

directly to us, at this moment in our lives. The song’s message resonated with where we are

right now, and I began to see how it could be interpreted in different ways, depending on

where someone is in their life.

"Unwritten" talks about the unknown, the future that’s still a blank page. And as I thought

about it, I saw how this mirrored our current stage in life. My friends and I are at a point where

our futures don’t have a clear, defined path. Some of us have already committed to a college,

found roommates, and made plans for what comes next. But others are still uncertain -

unsure about what to study, where to go, or what the future holds. And you know what? Both

situations are completely okay.

But here's the thing: your future is yours to create. "Unwritten" reminds us that, though the

road ahead is unclear, it's up to us to write the next chapter. Everyone reading this might be

in a different spot in life - whether you're an underclassman feeling the stress of choosing

your next classes, preparing for a contest, an interview, or contemplating an FFA opportunity.

Throughout my time in the National FFA Organization and countless extracurriculars, one

belief has continued to shine through everything I do: "Just going for it" can unlock countless

opportunities and ventures. The decisions you make are the stepping stones to your future,

and sometimes, taking that first leap- no matter how uncertain - leads to growth, new

experiences, and unexpected rewards. The future may seem daunting at times, but just like

the song says, it’s unwritten - and you have the power to fill the pages.

Whether it’s running for a leadership position, competing in a contest for the first time, or

taking on new challenges, the act of stepping forward - without knowing exactly where it will

lead - opens doors to growth and experiences you could never have expected. Each leap I’ve

taken has written its own unique page in my story and has shown me that the “rest” of my

journey is still unwritten. Just like in "Unwritten," the best parts of life are the ones yet to

come, and by embracing opportunities, we become the authors of our own stories.”

This blog was written a year ago for District IV FFA, but it doesn’t show what was happening

behind the scenes at the time. While I was writing about the future being unwritten, I was

quietly questioning where my own story was headed. I found myself wondering whether I

should run for State Office, and more so, whether I was even worthy of running at all. The blog

doesn’t capture the thoughts racing through my mind, the doubt, or the hope, that maybe I

was capable of more than I realized.

It also doesn’t show that after it was published, my advisor, Ms. Katelyn Rudolph, sent me a

portion of it when I was unsure about running for State Office. As I read it, I realized I already

had the answer all along- I just didn’t yet have the courage to take the step.

What the blog doesn’t show is the night before State Officer rounds, when my friends and I

had a girlhood night- unknowingly calling it ‘The Rest Is Still Unwritten.’ We knew that when I

returned to Lebanon after State Convention, the State Officer Candidacy chapter of my story

would be written, even though we didn’t yet know how it would turn out.

Right now, you may find yourself in some of the same shoes I was in last year. You might be

contemplating running for State Office, trying a new contest, or deciding whether to take on

an opportunity that feels exciting yet intimidating. My advice: take that step. You are the

author of your own story, and you are enough just as you are. Sometimes trusting the plan

and taking the leap leads to new chapters you never imagined.

One thing has become clear since I first wrote this blog: you don’t need every answer before

taking the next step. After all, the rest is still unwritten, and the future is full of blank pages

that we get to fill with joy and courage.

Thank you for being the best part of our story,

Lauren Argotte

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State Secretary

Write That Down!

If you know me, you know I LOVE the show How I Met Your Mother. I watched all nine seasons and fell in love with the characters. The premise of the show is that the main character, Ted Mosby, is telling his kids the story of how he met their mother. He teaches them lots of life lessons through these stories. He is telling them this HUGE story so that he doesn’t forget how it all happened. 

Throughout my year as a state officer, I have taken up journaling. I try to journal every day and I usually do it before I go to sleep. I write about what I did that day, how I’m feeling, and of course all of the fun stories I’ve collected that day. I also collect random items from the day to include in my journal. Anything from the wristband for an event to my visitor sticker form the school I visited that day. It’s my time to relax, unwind, and capture the best moments of this year so I never forget. 

This season of my life is flying by faster than I ever could’ve imagined. Much like Ted in How I Met Your Mother, each one of my days if FILLED with stories I never want to forget. From late nights at the Great Indiana State Fair to ice cream runs with my teammates to FFA members that I meet traveling on chapter visits, I write it all down. I even find myself throughout the day making mental notes of important things I want to be sure make it into my journal that night.

The other day I looked back at my journal entries from a few months ago, and I noticed how many fun times and stories had become jumbled in my memory. However, because I wrote it all down I can relive those memories anytime just by opening a book. 

No matter the season of life you are in right now; fast paced, laid back, or anywhere in between, I encourage you to write it ALL down. Someday you’re going to look back and wish you could remember it all exactly like it was. Because if Ted Mosby taught me anything, it’s that someday you’ll want to tell the story, and you’ll be glad you remembered every single detail.

Collecting the memories,

Kaitlyn Maruszewski 

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State President

Saying Yes, Staying Curious, and Soaking in the Journey

During the month of December, our team has the opportunity to travel across Indiana and meet with businesses and leaders who help fuel our agriculture industry. Each visit looks a little different from different buildings, different jobs, different missions. However, the lessons they have shared so far all have something in common: growth happens when you say yes, stay curious, and choose to never stop learning.

From the moment we stepped into our first meeting, one message kept coming back to me. No matter how large the company was, every leader talked about people first. Throughout our visits, I have been reminded that agriculture is built by communities, strengthened by relationships, and carried forward by those who are willing to step up and serve. Whether it was encouraging us to “build the bench” for the next generation, take care of others, or lift the communities we’re a part of, it has become clear that leadership always starts with people. 

I also keep hearing about the importance of saying yes, even when the opportunity feels big or uncomfortable. Many of the leaders we’ve sat down with shared that their careers started because they applied for an internship they weren’t sure about, took a chance on something new, or stepped outside their comfort zone. Their advice has stuck with me: if you want to grow, you have to be willing to try. 

Across every visit, one theme keeps returning: never stop learning, no matter where you are in life. Whether it’s understanding business, asking good questions, traveling, building your network, showing your personality, paying attention, or being open to change, these habits shape who you become. The people we meet aren’t successful because they have everything figured out. They are successful because they choose to keep learning every day. 

One of my favorite parts of this month has been traveling with our Indiana FFA Foundation Director, Mrs. Chaudion. Her stories, experience, and leadership add so much to each visit. She continually reminds us that even after your year in the jacket ends, your impact and your learning don’t have to.

So here’s my challenge to you:
Say yes. Ask questions. Build your network.
Your future's so much brighter than you think.

Always striving,

Calvin Myers

2025–2026 Indiana FFA State Southern Region Vice President