2020-21 Officers

Two weeks into quarantine and social distancing, an idea popped into my head but I wasn’t sure how I was going to carry out the plan with so much uncertainty in the world. 

On April 4, 2020, I sent a text message that read, “Hello, I am Kaylee Lower, a senior at Weaubleau High School. I was wanting to get in contact with an individual about making cards for all of the nursing home residents.” Little did I know that the text message I sent would have such a positive impact on the lives of nursing home residents. 

As you go through your journey, I challenge you to do the little things in life because they are the ones that mean the most. Even when you think something is not going to make a difference, to some people, like the nursing home residents, it makes the biggest difference. Don’t be afraid to take part in the small, seemingly insignificant moments because those are the ones that are remembered the most. No matter how big or small, as FFA members we all have the capability to make a positive difference in our homes and communities.

I never imagined a handmade card would make nursing home residents smile so big until I made 100 of them for the residents at Northwood Hills Care Center. It’s the little things like hand made cards that these individuals will treasure forever. 

Thinking back on April 4th, I was upset because I wasn’t able to finish my final year of high school or go to my last FFA contest, but then I began to consider a different perspective. We were all facing challenging and uncertain times; it’s how we choose to spend those times and the perspectives we have that make the greatest impact.

You have the choice to find good in the world or look straight past the good to stare at all the negativity. I challenge you to see the good and make a difference in your FFA chapter, home and community. Do the little things that mean the most and see the good in the world. Together they will leave a lifelong impact on those around you. 

How are you going to find the good and make a positive impact on the world?

March 18, 2020, 3:40 p.m. The last bell of the school day rang, and I walked out of the doors of the ag shop to my car, waved to my friends and pulled out of the gravel drive, not knowing when we would all return to Community R-VI to finish out our senior year. FFA members across Missouri and across the nation walked out of their schools and ag departments that week not knowing that was the last day of the normal school year. While many of us love FFA activities all year long, we as Missouri FFA members find ourselves living in the ag building most during spring preparing for career and leadership development events, working with our teammates to plan the end of the school year, and preparing for State FFA Convention. This spring all of that was changed as our country was navigating through COVID-19. FFA members, including myself, missed out on in-person spring CDE’s, LDE’s, banquets, graduations and even State Convention. I was pretty bummed out and in a bit of funk knowing that I wouldn’t be able to gather with other members to celebrate our many accomplishments.

I quickly decided that being bummed out was not doing me any good, and I was going to make the best out of the situation I was put in. I found a group on Facebook that was full of high school kids that were involved in the agriculture industry. While members of the page are from all across the United States, we were all able to find people with similar interests and talk about agriculture and what was currently going on in our world. It was because of our shutdown that I was able to find virtual opportunities and connect with FFA members across the country. By joining these groups I was finding something positive during such a negative time!

FFA members, I encourage you to take every opportunity you can! Whether that is signing up for that virtual conference, workshop, or even livestock show. While those activities might look a little different than normal, you can still network with individuals, learn new skills, and step out of your comfort zone. Many of us are very comfortable in a “live” setting but by having almost everything virtual we are having to step out of our comfort zones and try new things. While it might not be exactly how we want it, I encourage you to always keep a positive attitude, lean on others going through the same situation, and take every opportunity you can!

You never know the connections you will make and the opportunities that will arise when you make the choice to stay positive.

Have you ever been so tired that you can barely see straight? Well, I was at that point. I had been at the Missouri Public Speaking Academy for a week and went straight to the Missouri Cattlemen’s Show for the weekend. To top it off, it was so hot that I could literally see the heat waves rising off of the concrete. I wanted to sleep and desperately needed an air conditioner.  

While I was in Sedalia for the show, my dad and I went to get some food. As we drove in the air conditioning, I was complaining about how tired I was. I said, “Dad, I don’t want to go to basketball practice on Monday morning because I don’t want to run.” Three seconds later, I saw a man on the side of the road in a wheelchair struggling to propel himself up a hill in the blistering sun. I was speechless and had never been more humbled. I am not proud of that moment in my life, but that day I learned an impactful lesson. Not only should I be thankful for what I have, but I also have a choice—I can either feel sorry for myself or be appreciative of what I have. English writer, William Arthur Ward, once said, “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” I made a choice to be thankful and appreciative of opportunities. Now, I live my life with a different perspective. This change in perspective has completely changed my day, my mood and the quality of my life. Missouri FFA members, will you get caught up in a busy schedule, failure and tiredness? Or, will you show gratitude towards the opportunities set before you? 

What will you choose?

As I walked back into the room I had just spoken in minutes before, anxiety started to fill my body. I kept reminding myself, breathe in, breathe out. The same three judges I had just seen were now smiling pleased to announce who would be the two from our room moving on to the final round in State Division II Prepared Public Speaking. As they announced my name as one of the two, I was overwhelmed with joy. Then it sunk in. I have 30 minutes before I have to compete in front of new judges. My advisor said that gave me just enough time to decompress and get some energy food, so off to the gas station we went. As we drove back to the competition, he quizzed me over facts, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but worry. I had worked so hard to make it out of the area, district and state preliminary contests. Now, I was bound for the state finals! As I confronted my advisor about my fear, he assured me I had nothing to worry about. I had made it as far as I could possibly go. Now, I just needed to give it my all. 

Believe me your experiences in the National FFA Organization are going to be a roller coaster. Ups and downs are everywhere, but these successes and challenges will prepare you for the future. I want to remind you to enjoy these experiences and live in the moment. Yes, worry some — but not too much. If you’re anything like me, you’ll agree that after the rollercoaster ride is over you had fun and want to do it again. Keep that statement in mind as you venture through your own FFA experience roller coaster ride.