As my agriculture teacher, Michelle Rexing, stood in front of my class at Tecumseh Junior-Senior High School and explained about FFA, she ended with this: “FFA can take you places.” I did not understand just how true this statement would be in my life — that is, until recently, when I thought about all the places I have been and people I have met. Looking back now, I would not be where I am today without the FFA.

At the end of my eighth grade year, my FFA advisor asked us who would like to go to the Indiana FFA Convention. Throughout the year I heard stories of how fun state convention was. So, there was no way that I could miss out on the chance to go. I made sure my name was on that list. I pestered my teacher every day until she finally agreed to take me, even though normally, she would not take eighth graders.

That was when I got hooked on FFA. I had an absolute blast with the members of my chapter that year. Even though I was not close with some of them before the trip, we left West Lafayette, where the convention is held, as an almost inseparable family. I not only gained that bond with those in my chapter, but I also had the chance to meet members from across the state.

Two of those members I met are Rebekah and Shelby, whom I still consider some of my closest friends five years later. And just like those friendships, the impact FFA had on my life only grew as I went through high school.

FFA and me today

Fast-forward five years, when I got elected to state office. The impact FFA had on me went to the next level. In our first month of office, the officer team traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National FFA State Officer Summit. There we worked with over 300 state officers from across the country. We also spoke with our elected officials on Capitol Hill. The FFA has helped me expand my friendships across the country.

This past December, the state officer team went on tours of different industry supporters of the Indiana FFA. These are called Indiana FFA’s Business and Industry Goodwill Visits. At these visits, I learned all about how each of the companies plays a vital role in the agriculture industry.

Seeing all these businesses made me think about what I want to do for the rest of my life. Prior to becoming a state officer, I planned to attend Purdue University to major in agriculture systems management. I have now decided to add a minor in agriculture economics.

If I had not joined FFA, I would not have the public speaking skills I have today, I would not have met my closest friends, and I would not be continuing my education in agriculture. I am so thankful for where FFA has taken me and excited to see where it will continue to take me in the future.

Stephens is the 2019-20 Indiana FFA sentinel. Originally from Warrick County, Ind., he writes from Trafalgar.