The Rising Sun Has Now Set, but the Owl Is Spreading Her Wings
2025-26 Wisconsin FFA in the USA Reporter Grace Schmidt.
Since I’ve joined FFA, I’ve never slept so little, woke up so early, eaten so much fast food, stayed up so late, studied so hard, worked so hard, learned so much, made so many friends, missed so much school, gotten ready so fast, ripped so many nylons, spent so much time away from home, gotten used to sleeping on the bus, thought off-key singing was considered a good memory, ordered so much DoorDash, wore a corduroy jacket when it was over 100 degrees or below 0 degrees, traveled so much and found a better, more meaningful and hardworking organization. FFA is more than I ever imagined. It has taught me that my favorite chapter isn’t found in a book; it has actually been right beside me all along. My jacket has become a part of my story: a symbol of resilience, growth, goals chased and dreams started.
Future Aspirations
My name is Grace Schmidt, and I am signing out as a Wisconsin 2025-26 FFA in the USA reporter and Stanley-Boyd FFA Chapter president. In the near future, I plan on attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls to major in agricultural education. I desire to become an agriculture teacher because I want to plant seeds and inspire growth within students. I also want to nurture members’ success, help them shine their light and make a path for them to branch out, while still holding on to their roots.
As someone who does not come from a background in agriculture, my involvement in FFA truly grew when my advisor, Jordan Donnerbauer, saw the potential in me. He pushed me to join various career and leadership development events and the officer team. I want to foster that same spark in students across Wisconsin and ignite their passion for this organization.
The Wisconsin FFA in the USA reporter team with State FFA Reporter Corbyn Weber!
One thing I admire about FFA is that members who are skilled in speaking, agriculture, art, math, engineering, music and more are all brought together and united under this one roof. FFA is the key to building connections, and I want to help others grow in the same way I did. Throughout my journey in FFA, my chapter always had my back; they were cheerleaders on the sidelines, and I want to be there for members just as my chapter was for me. Their support brought out the light in me, and they encouraged me to shine it.
As a teacher and advisor, I want to bring out the best of each member and make them feel at home. Without the faith my family and friends had in me, I would not be in FFA, I would not be majoring in agricultural education next fall and I would not be typing this confirmation. FFA transformed me, and I want to use my background, journey, presence and passion to transform others.
The Challenges That Built Me
When I went to my very first chapter officer retreat at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, we did a horrifying leadership activity, or what seemed to be horrifying at the time: trust falls. These weren’t your ordinary falling-backwards-into-someone’s-arms trust falls. These were standing-backwards-on-the-edge-of-a-table-while-crossing-your-arms-and-trying-to-not-look-down trust falls.
To be honest, I thought everyone in that room had gone crazy, and this activity, no doubt, made me question all of my life choices prior to that moment. As I shakily climbed on top of the table, I asked myself “why am I here?” and “why did I do this?” and “what have I gotten myself into?”
My family at my last FFA chapter banquet.
The truth is, FFA is full of crazy events and activities, all of which are crucial in developing personal growth, teamwork and leadership. I am so blessed that my advisor and chapter pushed me to my highest potential and helped me become the most successful person I can be. Somewhere along the way, I learned that FFA isn’t your usual organization; it’s a family, which I will always belong to. If I hadn’t stepped or, in this case, fallen out of my comfort zone, I never would have discovered my passion.
Don’t get me wrong—there have been times throughout my journey as an FFA member where I doubted myself, felt excluded and was discouraged. I felt as though my lack of agricultural background limited me from partaking in certain activities, and that I didn’t have enough to offer this amazing organization.
However, I learned that a leader does what they can with what they have. Instead of agonizing over my differences, I looked into nontraditional opportunities within FFA, and I got myself involved with the honors chorus, Ag Artwork, FFA in the USA reporters program and I developed a strong agricultural communications Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Participating in these events helped me realize that I, in fact, did belong in FFA, and that is what is so great about this organization: it’s more than just your average club; it’s a family that has a home for everyone, regardless of their background.
My twin sister has Down Syndrome, and she often feels excluded from extracurriculars. I knew FFA would have a place for her, so I encouraged her to join our chapter meetings and fun events, such as riding in our parade float. No doubt, my sister made some of her best friends and memories through her time in FFA. As an agriculture teacher, it will be my mission to make all opportunities within FFA known to students of all different backgrounds.
My 2025-26 Stanley-Boyd FFA Officer Team!
Final Business
Now, my message to you: Don’t take any experience for granted. Live each moment to its fullest. Live your life with mistakes, rather than regrets. Smile, even when it’s hard. Don’t let fear of failure stop you from being successful. Choose to change for the better. Try a new leadership development event, join a career development event, start an SAE and stay involved. Don’t be afraid to fall.
But, most importantly, love every second of it because it will be gone before you know. Every competition, every lesson learned, every friend I’ve made and every memory stitched into this jacket is something I will always carry with me. You might outgrow the jacket, but you’ll never outgrow the experience. I now declare this meeting adjourned.
While my journey in Stanley-Boyd FFA may be ending, my next chapter is just beginning!
