Growing up, my parents often shared little phrases they hoped would guide me, things like “honesty is the best policy” or “actions speak louder than words.” At the time, they felt cliché, maybe even a little silly. But this year, those words started to carry real weight. Whether you grew up hearing the same sayings or different ones, we all have those phrases that stick with us, quiet reminders of who we want to be.

In July, my teammates and I began preparing workshops for chapter visits. One of mine included a gallery walk, where students moved around the room reading and reflecting on quotes. I picked six quotes I thought were meaningful and moved on. But now, over halfway through our leadership tour, I’ve seen that activity come alive in ways I didn’t expect.

Time after time, students are drawn to a quote: “There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” They pause, reflect, and say things like, “You know what’s right… but will you actually do it?”

That question has stuck with me. How often do we know what’s right, and still choose something else? Over the past few months, I’ve realized how easy it is to fall into that gap between intention and action. In today’s world, dishonesty has become normalized. We say one thing and do another, and convince ourselves it’s harmless. But it’s not. That kind of disconnect doesn’t just affect us, it ripples out and impacts everyone around us.

And here’s the truth: we weren’t made to live in that gap. We’re meant to live with integrity, to let our yes be yes and our no be no. Honesty isn’t just a good idea, it’s a reflection of the kind of person we strive to be. Someone who’s trustworthy. Someone who’s consistent. Someone who chooses what’s right, even when it’s hard. So let’s walk it. Let’s live the words we say. Let’s choose honesty, even when it’s inconvenient. Let our actions speak, not just louder than our words, but louder than our fears and excuses. As 2025 comes to a close and we step into a new year, let’s commit to living with action, not just words, following through on our resolutions, keeping our promises, and turning intentions into reality.

“Let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:18

Grateful to walk this path with you,

Lydia Cruikshank

2025-26 Oregon FFA State Secretary