Seth Engeman

One thing I’ve always enjoyed has been listening to speeches and quotes of encouragement. I find that words of encouragement can turn a bad day into a good one faster than any hype song I listen to. During my year of service, I stumbled upon some of the most inspiring words yet. They come from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” speech. My favorite line is, “It is not the critic who counts; the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.” Although I highly recommend listening to the whole speech, these words always remind me that glory and honor belong to those who show up. 

In FFA, we have the opportunity to compete and try new things – sometimes we win and other times we lose. It is our job to keep trying, no matter the outcome. After contest season, it is easy to lose focus and contemplate our losses rather than see the experience we gain through trying. Similarly, when our application for a scholarship, academy or another event gets rejected, we begin to feel like it isn’t worth sending in another application. It feels good to win awards and attend prestigious events, but true value is held within the experience of trying; trying something new or having the courage to try again. 

Missouri FFA, never forget that glory and honor belong to those who are willing to set foot in the arena. The opinion of others does not matter if you are willing to keep trying in the game of life. Your future is before you. Through hard work and wise decisions, you can attain the glory and honor that all worthy FFA members seek. 

After four years of high school and being involved in FFA, several opportunities to cut it loose on the dance floor have come and gone. I remember being a freshman attending my first ever Area Barnwarming. I decided to spend that evening leaning against the wall as far away from the dance floor as possible. I did not dance at all.

 It wasn’t until the next summer when I attended Missouri FFA Camp that I got to see the true power of the dance floor. I saw the state officers leading members at the front of the dance floor in the Bikers Shuffle line dance. There was so much expression and brotherhood shown in such a simple dance. That day, the Bikers Shuffle became my favorite line dance, among the many others that I learned. I found comfort in line dancing because I could always watch the person next to me if I wasn’t on the right step. 

Line dances don’t make up every song at the dance, though. It is our job to figure out what to do the rest of the time. We can only raise our pinky fingers to the moon so many times and do weird disco moves before it gets old. We have to figure out how to dance on our own, or least pretend like we know what we are doing. 

Missouri FFA, it’s okay to blend in when the time is right, but when the time comes, it’s up to us to carry our own beat and make our own path. Find what move works best for you without worrying about who looks less awkward. Don’t be afraid to turn your swag on at the next shindig or take a chance with your next opportunity!

The cinematic masterpiece produced by Pixar that we all know as “Cars” has been engraved in my mind since I was a young boy. The soundtrack alone can send me down a rabbit hole of reasons why the movie is the greatest of all time. I may be a little biased, but I think we can all learn something from it.

Lightning McQueen is on a journey to become the greatest racer of all time, refusing to lose—even if it means winning by the tip of his tongue. Going through high school, I often felt the same way. Whether it meant getting good grades or placing first in a competition, I always wanted to be on top. But as I’ve gone through high school and life has picked up speed, I’ve learned life isn’t always about finishing first. The people we meet along the way can make the biggest difference.

Just as Radiator Springs taught Lightning McQueen to slow down, FFA has done the same for me. Sometimes, at an event, the best thing you can do is take the time to say hello to familiar faces—or even meet someone new. Your next lifelong friend, just like McQueen’s best friend Tow Mater, could be waiting for you.

Missouri FFA, I encourage you to slow down and remember that being on top isn’t what life is all about. Take some time to enjoy the things that go by too fast, even when you feel ready to speed ahead. Catch up with old friends and make new ones. Remember the tangible things in life will never mean as much as the relationships we build with others. Just like the Hudson Hornet said, trophies are just “a bunch of empty cups.” Slow down and embrace your journey.