Luke O’Leary – The Characters We Play

This is Luke O'Leary's 2019 retiring address as 2018-19 National FFA President, titled "The Characters We Play." Drawing on his love of theater, O'Leary explores how people often hide their true selves behind characters he calls the admired, the accepted, and the silent, and he challenges FFA members not to use the blue corduroy jacket as a mask. He shares personal stories, including his own experiences with identity and the people who encouraged him to be authentic, urging members to live unmasked and help others embrace who they truly are.