Gosh I Miss You

CAUTION: This is going to be a big fatty post about something that I am very very passionate about-I have to say that my nerdness is about to overflow. Just as a forewarning :)

 I will begin by stating how grateful I am for the National FFA organization. This was the organization which I discovered some of my deepest passions, and where I truly fit as myself. I didn't have to pretend I was someone else, I didn't have to explain myself when I began talking about likes, dislikes or hobbies, and I was surrounded by some of my closest friends. The National FFA is an organization to develop quality leaders by and through agricultural education. The organization's website states the mission perfectly when they said "The National FFA Organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The FFA Motto is: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve. The FFA Motto is: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

Anyway, I owe the FFA so very much. I am only beginning to understand the impact that it has had upon my life. I rarely go a day without mentioning, or thinking about something that I'd learned while taking various ag related classes, studying for, and competing in various competitions. I get a little overwhelmed and emotional at this point in my life when I evaluate how I have gotten to this point in my education and personal development and I see that the FFA has truly shaped and molded me into an individual I can be proud of. I admit I have no words to express my gratitude. I really am where I want to be education wise- few people can say that right now. I have discovered my passions. I know what I love. I have a solid foundation where I can continually refer back to and look back on with enthusiasm and to gain strength.

3rd Place National Meats Team

3rd Place National Meats Team

I was successful in my competitions. I definitely  saw results as I studied diligently and practiced hard. I went to national competitions 4 different times throughout high school in Agronomy, Meat Evaluation, Land and Homesite Evaluation (Soils/ Land Judging), and Parliamentary Procedure. I went to state in Floralculture, Forestry and districts in Extemporaneous and Prepared Public Speaking, livestock and dairy judging. In each of these I have been a high individual or placed well overall (in Meat Evaluation our team got 3rd place in the nation!). 

One competition I would like to single out right now (I love them all so very much. I definitely have very tender feelings about agronomy and soil judging, for which I am now basing my future career. I will likely mention these later in some future post). That contest is the Parliamentary Procedure competition. This is a high-speed, quick thinking contest which always keeps you on your toes. There is a lot of memorization which must happen and complete unity and cooperation of the entire 6 person team. You walk into a room with judges not knowing what you will be doing for your presentation. On your seat is a card with a main motion to bring before the floor and a list of other randomly selected required subsidiary, incidental or privileged motions to bring up properly before the assembly. You must also do an additional motion as well. On top of all of that, you must debate the main motion on the card based on a one minute prep after reading the motion for the first time. You are to think of good and bad points of the motion and urge the other teammates to vote with you. It is a very tangled and complicated competition with hundreds of rules and exceptions to those rules. You, as a team, have 8 minutes to finish debating 3 times a piece, and to bring 2 motions to the floor during that time. Plus any question a judge may want to ask you about your required motion. Oh, did I mention that there is also a 25-50 question test as well to accompany the presentation score? Crazy right?

I love it anyway. I have provided a link here to a video which represents what I am trying to say, as it is difficult to put into words. I also provided another link here to show all the possible motions and their rules for the assembly. All the rules to parliamentary procedure can be found in my most favorite law-book of all time: Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10^th Edition which I lovingly refer to it as “Bob” Or “Robert Parli”. I have used my “Bob” on many occasions and have proudly read all 643 pages of this reference guide to parliamentary procedure. After going to nationals for this event I took a special test at the state level and became the state’s official Parliamentarian for the remnant of the State Convention.

And the Nerdness comes out- I LOVE THIS BOOK!

What brought all of this on, is that BYU-Idaho hosts the annual Ag Rendezvous for local FFA chapters where several competitions are happening simultaneously. This is cool in itself, but what makes it really special, is that those who were in charge of this activity needed some judges. I enthusiastically, joyously, expectantly, and maturely (mostly….) volunteered my knowledge of the subject by being a judge for this competition. What an experience that was! I couldn’t have been happier. I remember vividly being in the exact seats that these FFA members are in and the anticipation and excitement which was stirring the atmosphere. I looked at my judges being incredibly intimidated by them and only wanting to do my very best. I tried my best as a judge to be personable and delicate while addressing the already stressed members, and I think I did quite well in that regard.

My notes on one of the Chapter's Presentations

I made a copy of my notes from one of the presentations so you might understand what I am thinking about while listening to a parli session in progress. As well as an official judging scorecard here.

It lasted 7 hours, but seemed to go by so quickly. I left the conference room where the competition was held and felt a sweet sense of nostalgia. My time for participating in these events has passed, but I still appreciate them for what they have given me.

On a side note, as I left the conference room, I felt myself change personas. While judging I was someone to be feared or just someone who was intimidating and respectable. Students lined up to shake hands with me after their presentation. I walked out and bam- I was just the average student again, with homework back at my apartment and just average again. I thought this mini transformation was somehow significant in my life- although I’m not entirely sure how yet….

As I walked home I reflected on my FFA experience. Those memories are some of the fondest I have. I only hope one day to perform my duty to the FFA as a parent or just a supporter of this magnificent program.