Exceptionally Blessed

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