Beginning the End

My friends,

I am sitting in the Indiana FFA Fellowship Center in Trafalgar, Indiana, in gym shorts and an FFA chapter T-shirt. My teammates and I are preparing for our upcoming convention.

The past few months of National Leadership Conferences for State Officers, State Presidents’ Conference, National FFA Convention preparation and visiting FFA partners are unforgettable aspects in this FFA member’s journey. We are blessed to experience all we have while wearing the corduroy, and for just over six years I have proudly worn my jacket. In taking off the blue and gold for the final time at the 81st National FFA Convention, the places, the experiences and the people will forever remain—not only in my jacket on a hanger, but within me.

Who knew that by joining FFA, this small-town farm-kid would get to travel to state competitions, national conventions, agricultural businesses, other countries, meet some of his best friends, fail, succeed and grow? Who knew a jacket could instill power? Who knew I would see the potential within others to do their best? Who knew that an organization could change a life? Who knew that you would be reading this, right now, also thinking about what you can and will become? Who knew?

Most amazing, it is not the FFA jacket that makes young people excel in what they are passionate about and learn in ways paramount to growing as servant-leaders. The authenticity, discovery, character, excellence and heart valued by each FFA member are what make an impact in another’s life. Each of us choose what we do when wearing our FFA jackets, and when we retire from our experience in FFA, we will have chosen what we gave, what we leave behind in our jackets and in others.

I smile as I cannot wait to wear it again. After more than six years of putting it on, I know what’s in store. I open up my closet and put on my black slacks, black socks, black shoes, white shirt and FFA tie. I reach for the only missing piece—my FFA jacket. To complete my official dress, it is all I have left. When I return it to my closet on October 25, 2008, I hope I will have left all I have.

Thank you, supporters and fellow members alike, for making the past six years the best of my life.


Gold and blue… forever for you,

Tyler