Sophia Geppert

For as long as I can remember, winter has always been my favorite season. A time of joy, laughter, and fellowship fill the air as we reconnect with loved ones during the holiday season. Everyone looks forward to the end of the year and celebrating memories made. The anticipation was worth the wait and families cherish the time spent together. As time passes, the joy of the holiday season falls and we are left with the gloomy section of winter: the ice and the cold. This part of the season is why it’s my favorite. 

Even though the weather may be gloomy, this is when some of the most important events happen. When the ice and snow hit our fields, an essential process is taking place. As this precipitation melts, it provides much needed water to refuel and prepare the fields for the upcoming growing season. Without this gloomy weather, our fields will slow down the growing process. 

There will be times in our lives when we are stuck in the gloomy part of the season. We may get caught up in the nastiness of a hard class, trouble between friends, or an unforeseen circumstance. This is our growing season. By weathering the ice and snow of our lives, we come out stronger. These challenges make us who we are and help us grow. If we understand how essential this storm is, we will better appreciate the growth on the other side. Missouri FFA, don’t forget that the storm is essential.

As a child, I did not have a favorite shirt, blanket or tiara. I had a favorite pair of shoes. Ever since I can remember, I have always had a pair of Crocs on my feet. These are my signature shoes. When I was a toddler, I wore pink Crocs that looked like alligators, elementary school brought Mickey Mouse Crocs and now I wear teal Crocs. These shoes made me who I am; they are a significant aspect of my identity. I always felt confident if I was wearing these shoes. In middle school, this attitude changed. When I wore my favorite Crocs to school during 6th grade, I started to get funny questions. “Why are you wearing Crocs?” “Aren’t those just house slippers?” “Those are lame shoes.” People did not think Crocs were the best shoe like I did. I slowly stopped wearing my favorite Crocs out in public, saving them for the comfort of my home. 

Once I reached high school, I started to become more confident. Even though people still made jokes about my shoe of choice, I learned that their words did not affect me. They may not like my shoes, but my Crocs make me happy, and that is all that matters. I found friends that accepted me for who I was. Even though my friends may not think Crocs are as cool as I do, they still respect that these shoes make me happy. 

Don’t change something about you just because others don’t like it. I let what others thought about me prevent me from wearing my favorite shoes. There are people out there who will love this real, authentic version of you. Changing to fit in with the crowd puts a cage around the real you. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Missouri FFA, don’t be afraid to rock your Crocs.