Braden Havlik, Vice President
CHAPTER
Silex FFA
HOMETOWN
Troy, Missouri
COLLEGE
University of Missouri
MAJOR
Agriculture Education – Communications & Leadership
My SAE is two parts, Food Service – Placement, and Diversified Livestock Production – Entrepreneurship. Throughout high school, I was employed through a small, family owned restaurant, where I prepared and cooked food. The second aspect of my SAE consists of raising and exhibiting beef cattle, market lambs, market goats and chickens at shows in Missouri and across the nation. I also have a small herd of Red Angus and Shorthorn-Plus cattle.
My freshman year, I was able to attend State FFA Convention in Sedalia, and I will always remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to serve as a Missouri FFA State Officer. As soon as the state officers were announced and ran into the convention hall, the feeling was unlike any other. Each and every FFA member in attendance was so excited and proud to be a member of the Missouri FFA Association, including myself. So, I made it my mission to recreate that exact feeling I had within all FFA members, even those who might not be able to make it to Convention. This allows all people within agriculture to be excited about everything going on in our industry, and makes the future of agriculture even brighter!
Always. Have. Fun. As a member of the Silex FFA Chapter, I can attest to the fun and excitement each and every opportunity within FFA has to offer. Along with that, you only receive from something the amount of effort you put in. So, I encourage all Missouri FFA members to strive to have and experience the fun opportunities within our organization, because if you don’t try at all, you will surely regret it later.
Upon my graduation from Silex High School, I will attend the University of Missouri to major in agriculture education – communications and leadership. After achieving this degree, I hope to become an agricultural lobbyist, working to influence legislation for the betterment of Missouri’s farmers and consumers.
My backup plan, if all else fails, is to become an auctioneer, especially since I can already talk like one! I also love ranch dressing!
No matter what, never give up. In FFA, and in life, you will get knocked down over and over again, but don’t let those experiences define who you are as a person, or as an FFA member. You will be told “no” over and over again, but don’t allow someone else to determine what the outcome of your life will be. Lastly, you will get hurt over and over again, but don’t ever let the hurt you endure overcome the work you put in. Never give up and achieve all that you aspire to achieve. We only live once.