The Beauty in the Journey

One of my favorite things to do is go on car drives or walks while listening to music and looking at the beautiful nature around us.  No matter where I’m headed, there’s always beauty in the journey. Throughout my life, I’ve had the gift of traveling-whether across the state, the nation, or even different parts of the world, and there’s always beauty to be found in every road you take. I believe this reflects one of life’s most important lessons: finding beauty in the journey. In today’s world, everything moves so fast. We have so many distractions and a million things pulling us in different directions, and we often take the beauty of a journey for granted. “Be where your feet are.” This quote hangs on my prayer board and fills the pages of my journal. It’s a daily reminder to slow down and truly experience the moment I’m in. I’m guilty myself. Growing up, I always kept myself busy, and my mom constantly reminded me to “slow down.” She was right, we all just need to slow down. It reminds me of one of my favorite songs, “Things That Matter” by Josiah Queen: “Slow me down, this world is moving faster, But I don’t want to miss the things that matter.” It’s a reminder that even though the world moves fast, the journey is in our hands- to slow down and take in what matters most. These quotes and sayings flow through my mind often, reminding me to be present and enjoy the journey. It takes me back to high school. Everyone always says high school will be the fastest four years. As an incoming freshman, I didn’t believe this. I thought high school would drag on and feel like the opposite of the fastest four years. Turns out, I was so wrong. Four years flew by, but I’m forever grateful for the memories and people who filled my journey. The decision was up to me throughout high school- to slow down with all the business and enjoy the journey and the people around me. By slowing down, I was able to make genuine connections with the teachers, friends, and people who make my village. I was able to “be where my feet were” and live in the moment without constantly thinking about what was next. I’m forever grateful younger Lauren took her mom’s advice to “slow down” and take in the things that matter. I found the beauty in all the parts of my journey by doing so. No matter our age or stage in life, it’s important to find the beauty in our journey. Every season brings new people, moments, and beauty, but each one holds moments worth noticing. When we slow down and pay attention, we start to see how even small experiences shape us. Life will always move fast, but we don’t have to. We can choose to step off the gas, slow down, notice what’s around us, and find beauty in the journey. Just like on those long car rides, the beauty is already there, we just have to look. Finding beauty in every step, Lauren Argotte 2025-2026 Indiana FFA State Secretary

Leaving Your Mark

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend an event at my home chapter, Tri-Central in Tipton County, IN. The event was called the TC Ag Fest, and the night consisted of a chicken noodle dinner from chickens the chapter raised, a small career fair, and an SAE work experience auction. My teammate, Calvin, was able to come along too and was even able to serve as the auctioneer for the night. It was so much fun and very rewarding to see a lot of familiar faces and reconnect with old friends. 

At the end of the evening, while we were helping clean up, a member of my chapter, Braiden, pointed out the wall where all the state officers who visit our school sign their names. It was officially my turn to sign it. This moment crept up on me and was not something that I was expecting to do while I was there. All at once I was hit with many emotions, but the heaviest ones were gratitude and pride. 

Gratitude for my home chapter who sparked my passions.

Gratitude for the people who have poured into me.

Gratitude for the community who has supported me through everything. 

And pride in being able to leave my mark on the place that has truly shaped me.

Being influential enough to (literally) leave my mark on a place that has influenced me so much was a surreal moment, and it made me realize that my influence was only possible because of those who had supported and pushed me into who I am today. 

Who are the people that have poured into you and pushed you to be who you are today? I would bet that many of them work without much of a title, position, or praise, because sometimes true influence comes from those behind the scenes. The people who see every breakdown, hard day, and challenge. These people, our mentors, friends, parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. They are the ones who have left their mark on us, and they prove that most of the time it doesn’t come with a physical mark, but instead a feeling, change of behavior, or new way of thinking. 

As I looked at my name joining the signatures of those who came before me, I couldn’t help but think about how each name represented a story, a season, and a legacy of impact. It reminded me that influence isn’t measured by how many people know your name, but by how many lives are better because you showed up.

Leaving your mark doesn’t require a title, position, or role. It takes encouragement, service, time, and dedication. Who will you leave your mark on? 

Leaving my mark with gratitude, 

Kaitlyn Maruszewski 

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State President

The Chocolate Bar Chronicles

When I was a freshman in high school, I began competing in a few FFA

contests. One of them was dairy judging, where you evaluate dairy cattle based on udder

quality, frame, dairy strength, feet, and legs. Over the years, dairy judging helped me

grow both my knowledge of dairy cattle and my ability to speak confidently in front of

others. I was lucky to be coached by Mr. Glen Jones, a retired ag teacher, and Mr. Jim

Wildermuth, who took over after Mr. Jones when he retired.

I was always excited to learn and practice, especially when my friends were there with

me. One of my favorite memories was traveling with Jack and Riley to the All-American

Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the national dairy judging contest. When we

arrived, we spent time practicing at a few local dairy farms. Afterward, we toured the

Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, and then went to the gift

shop, where my buddies and I bought some funny stuff. Riley bought a pair of socks,

Jack picked up a four-pound box of Jolly Ranchers, and I proudly carried out a four-

pound chocolate bar.

Later that night, after supper, I put my chocolate bar in the hotel freezer. But, that didn’t

last long. Jack decided the chocolate needed to be “tastefully broken in,” and body-slammed it with

his elbow on the hotel bed. Then Riley finished the job with a one-inch punch, just like a

martial arts master. The room was full of laughter…and chocolate pieces were everywhere.

Those are the moments that remind me how special these experiences were. The

friendships, the laughter, and the memories made along the way will always mean more

than any score or ribbon. I’m grateful to my coaches for giving me the chance to

experience all of it. At the end of the day, it’s about learning, growing, and remembering

to have fun along the journey.

Here's a verse from the book of Proverbs

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding – Proverbs 3:13

Stay Wismatic,

Jesus Santana

2025-2026 Indiana FFA State Sentinel

Soaking Up the Memories

As the 98th National FFA Convention has just ended, I am reminded of all my past National Conventions. I first went as a freshman, who knew only two out of the fourteen people going on the trip. Although I was really nervous, it turned out to be a great first National Convention, even though we had to sit on the bus for thirty minutes at the auto parts store waiting on a battery. 

That first National Convention is what encouraged me to apply to be a chapter officer and go again the next year. Every year that I went it just kept getting better. I look back on all my National Convention memories: from buying an outrageous amount of clothes at the shopping mall, going to the concert, and playing football with a shoe in the Texas Roadhouse parking lot, to meeting Dale Brisby and wishing I could go do it all again! 

Thankfully, I had the opportunity this year to go again and to go as a State Officer and National Delegate. While I was a little nervous this year wouldn't compare to all my past conventions, it turned out to be one I won’t forget. If you went to National Convention this year, I hope you were able to soak up every moment and have the time of your life. If you didn't get the chance to go, I encourage you to make it happen next year! It is truly an unforgettable experience.

Still soaking it all in,
Lily Sloan
2025-2026 Indiana FFA State Treasurer