For a long time, I thought growth meant leaving parts of myself behind.
The doubts.
The mistakes.
The versions of me that didn’t quite feel like they fit.
I believed that if I wanted to move forward, I had to outgrow my past. Outgrow all of the insecurities, the uncertainty, the moments I wasn’t proud of. But this year has taught me something different: the parts of our past that we try to outrun are the very things that shape us into the leaders we are becoming.
Early on, insecurity had a loud voice. It showed up when I compared myself to others, when I felt behind, or when I thought leadership was supposed to look a certain way. I thought I needed to be more confident, more polished, or more certain.
It was in the little moments, leadership tours, camps, and competitions, where I began to realize that paths may cross, but not one journey starts in the same spot. For some, these events were their first; for others, they could have been their last. And that shaped the experiences we had.
Oftentimes, we tend to look at our past with regret. But it’s in the moments we look back and recognize how our past is continuously shaping the people we are becoming. From learning new techniques or tips, to avoiding mistakes that might have led to negative experiences, our past is never wasted.
There are moments we wish we could erase. The times we stumbled, hesitated, or questioned whether we were enough. Moments we thought would define us in all the wrong ways. But the truth is, those experiences didn’t hold us back. Avoiding them did.
Growth came when I stopped pretending those moments didn’t exist and started learning from them instead.
Embracing your past doesn’t mean living in it. It means recognizing that every step, even the unsteady ones, helped pave the road you’re walking today. Your experiences shape your perspective. Your challenges build your character. Your story matters.
So if there’s a part of your past you’ve been trying to hide, I want to challenge you to look at it differently. What if it’s not something to erase, but something to build on?
The future isn’t paved by perfection. It’s paved by honesty, resilience, and the courage to show up as yourself.
Through rising opportunities whether writing that speech, competing in an event, or stepping into an interview for a leadership position, I encourage you to embrace your past and use it to shape the path ahead.
And if you’re still figuring things out, that’s okay. You don’t need to have it all together to move forward. You just need to be willing to take the next step, carrying your story with you instead of leaving it behind.
Much love,
Ethian Webb
2025-26 Oregon FFA State Treasurer
