Carmen Wilburn, Vice President
CHAPTER
Van-Far FFA
HOMETOWN
Vandalia, Missouri
COLLEGE
University of Missouri
MAJOR
Agricultural Education
Swine Production – Placement
Grain Production – Entrepreneurship/Placement
I wanted to serve as a Missouri FFA State Officer for the members. When I was a greenhand, I felt like everyone looked at me and only saw my last name. My older brother was serving as a State Vice President at the time and my uncle had served as a National Officer. I was overwhelmed with the thought of having to “live up to my family name”. I want to show Missouri FFA members that it is okay to walk your own path.
The legacy I want to leave with Missouri FFA members is that it is okay to be yourself. Everyone’s FFA journey is different. My advisor, Mrs. Crader, told me just like on a sandy beach, you can’t step in someone else’s footprint, you can’t in FFA either.
In the fall, I will be attending the University of Missouri to study agriculture education to eventually become an agricultural educator and FFA advisor.
Something unique or interesting about me that few people know is that I broke my nose and got a concussion tubing on the Fourth of July one year. I now have no cartilage in my nose, so it will stay broken unless I have surgery.
My advice is to be authentic. Believe in yourself and your abilities because you are enough. You don’t need to try to portray yourself as perfect because no one is. Just be genuine.