Recently I had the privilege to attend the WYXY Classic FFA All-stars
banquet. As we spent the night congratulating 18 very deserving individuals of
this award, I couldn’t help but notice one thing. As we moved from one member
to the next, it got increasingly harder to describe the sheer amount of
accomplishments each person had achieved. Gale Cunningham, the host of the
evening, used the word exceptional to describe those 18 individuals. And there
is no better word suited for not only those members, but also their chapters
and the Indiana FFA. How lucky are we to be a part of this exceptional
organization? An organization that loves, supports, and honors both agriculture
and those in it. We have exceptional teachers that push us along the way and
exceptional supporters that make what we do possible. There are exceptional
banquets, service projects, and teams. The list goes on and on for things that
are “exceptional” in FFA.
So today, I’m going to keep things short and simple. Take a
second to truly realize everything this organization has blessed you with. And
thank someone. Thank your advisor for pushing you to your limits and then a
little farther to see just how much you can achieve. Thank your parents for
driving you to events, for being your biggest supporters, and for volunteering
for everything. Thank your friends and teammates for giving you a laugh when
needed, a shoulder to cry on, and a helping hand at all times. Simply thank someone
for being an exceptional all-star in your life.
Exceptionally blessed,
Emily Kilmer
State Secretary
