From Quiet Beginnings to Inspiring Leadership

Grants FFA Chapter members.

My freshman year of high school, I didn’t know what I was going into when I first walked into Mr. Gonzales’ introduction to agriculture class. On the first day of high school and my very first class, I remember feeling nervous and unsure what to expect. The moment I walked into his class, I was surrounded by everything agriculture and FFA. The bright corn gold and national blue on the walls, as well as the FFA Creed and the FFA motto, were displayed.

At the time, I didn’t care what FFA was or how much it would eventually impact my life. To me, it was just another organization connected to agriculture. But as I sat in that classroom listening to Mr. Gonzales talk about leadership, opportunities and community, I slowly began to realize that FFA was much more than that; it was a place where students could grow.

Looking back, that classroom became the starting point of one of the most important journeys of my life. What began as nervous curiosity eventually turned into passion, leadership and a second home.

I went from being a quiet, timid observer to a loud, ambitious officer during my time in FFA. Every meeting, practice and event pushed me out of my comfort zone to the person I am today. There isn’t just one story that can fully grasp the impact FFA and its members have had on me. Every person I met, every experience I had and every challenge played a role in help me flourish.

My most prominent change was my junior year, which included serving as the chapter secretary. Immersing myself in the chapter more and more by taking on responsibilities forced me to step up as a leader and role model. Through helping organize events, helping members and speaking in front of others, I slowly began to gain more confidence in myself and my abilities.

I don’t remember when, but on the board were sticky notes filled with messages of encouragement and appreciation. One read, “Jewels has really encouraged me to be successful person to our chapter.” That really hit me, realizing that people truly looked up to me for advice, support and encouragement. I honestly cried about that because I have never seen myself that way before.

FFA can be demanding, time consuming and so very stressful, but it is also one of most rewarding experiences I have ever been a part of. It gave me confidence, leadership skills and a sense of purpose. Most importantly, it showed me that even someone who once stayed quiet in the background could grow into someone capable of inspiring others.

But through everything, I find the people in it is what really changed me. This isn’t just another article, but a thank you— to everyone that has helped me, challenged me and, overall, was present during my time in FFA.