It has almost been two months since we got elected as Oregon FFA State Officers. I feel so much gratitude to be able to say that. One thing I have reminded myself of in these last two months is that the only way you can grow is to first feel discomfort.
I remember the first time my advisor told me that I would be participating in the district Parliamentary Procedure contest. I was absolutely petrified when I found out that I would also be the chairman. I walked into that contest and completely froze. Everything I had known about Parli Pro went right out of the window, all because I was uncomfortable. I wanted to run out of the room and not finish the contest.
Looking back on this moment I am so grateful that I stuck it out not only for me, but for my team. Not because I am a master at Parli Pro, because I most certainly am not, but because I was able to grow. I persevered through that difficult and uncomfortable time and realized that I was able to learn from it and become better than I was when I walked into that contest. That experience taught me to lean into uncomfortable situations because those are the ones that will help us become stronger.
As a State Officer, I still feel all of the same nerves that I felt when I walked into that contest, but instead of pushing them away, I accept and welcome them because I know that discomfort doesn’t always have to be negative. Discomfort is the pathway to growth and if we are open to feeling it, then we are open to growth.
Maybe you are running for a chapter office position, preparing for a brand new CDE, or maybe you just got told that you are the chairman of your Parli Pro team. Whatever you may be feeling nervous about, I encourage you to embrace all of those nerves and feelings so you are able to learn from it. It is ok to feel unsure because that means that you are growing. As these situations come up, know that you are not alone and we are all growing alongside each other.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” -Zig Ziglar
With love,
Livvy Sturm
2025-2025 Oregon FFA State Vice President
