I’ve been asked a lot lately “Aren’t you sad your year is over?” I answer the same way every time; No. This usually equates to a confused look.
As I’ve had time to reflect on why my year of service to Oregon FFA has looked like over the last year, I can’t help but be grateful it ever happened. Part of the magic of being a state officer is knowing you only have those 12 months to create your legacy, a footprint that will last forever. This has been, without a doubt, the best year of my life. That’s something that will never go away. I’m not sad it’s over, because it’s never really over. This year I’ve discovered that serving as a state officer is a starting point, not a finish line. It’s the jumpstart to the rest of our lives. While our time of physically wearing the blue jacket may soon come to an end, I know Oregon has an outstanding bunch of leaders ready to fill the association jackets as state officers. When we were elected, we signed on for the long haul (in more ways than one this year). I will remain an FFA alumni, supporter and most importantly remain a positive figure, encouraging members after me to begin the same adventure I started five years ago.
My hope is that their years of membership and service might just change their lives the same way it’s changed mine. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve and to be part of a legacy that’s as strong as ever. My heart is full that the 6 of us had the opportunity to experience this year together. As I’ve had the chance to meet the candidates vying for a state officer position, I have never been more confident in the future of our organization and agriculture as a whole.
So no, I’m not sad this year has come to an end. It’s been pretty great creating our legacy.
For the last time,
The 2019-2020 Oregon FFA State Officer Team
Josiah, Riley, Deidre, Keegan, Olivia and Ellie
(Post written by Deidre Schreiber)
