As I sit here sipping my morning coffee, I reflect on just how crazy these past two months have been. First the cancellation of the long awaited 2020 Oregon FFA State Convention, then school, then graduation and with it, all the senior traditions the classes before us have carried on. Though not all was lost when this pandemic so graciously blessed us with its presence, as the election process for a new officer team quickly jumped to virtual. I don’t think it was how anyone imagined it, but nonetheless, the 4 crazy days of online interviews flew by. Each day, as my dreams came closer to reality, I began to realize that becoming a state officer wasn’t about the stage or the lights, it was about having the opportunity to impact and serve others.
I was just a freshman in high school when I attended my first leadership camp, and I was lucky enough to have been put in a group with Kourtney Lehman, who was at the time serving as the 2017-18 State President. On the last day of camp, I received a letter from her that thanked me for my participation and overall gave me some words of wisdom. Since then, I’ve had that note taped to the upper corner of my mirror, as a reminder of how I wanted to use my words to positively impact others, just as Kourtney had done for me. Now, four long and hard years later, I sit here writing to you as the newly elected 2020-2021 Oregon FFA State President, and it truly is a dream come true. My teammates, Jenna Wallace of Hermiston, Raimey Brown of Baker, Celilo Brun of Hood River Valley, Alivia Robbins of Burns, Colby Fairbairn of Roseburg, and myself are overjoyed with excitement as we begin our journey as a team. Oregon FFA, I am beyond grateful to serve you and I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you this year! Four years down. One more incredible year in FFA to go.
With Love,
Grace Adams
2020-2021 Oregon FFA State President
