Hi out there!!
Well if you haven't guessed by now we as an
officer team decided to blog our year in WV state office. I personally
am going to try to keep mine up-to-date as best I can. Just a heads up
though, I'm not the greatest at remembering to do things- like writing
in this blog. But here it goes anyway---
Friday July 11, 2008-
Life as I know it has just changed forever. That first moment when
they said my name was complete excitement and happiness. Only later did
it really hit me. Something major just happened. Something amazing and
yet scary. On Saturday, after the state degree ceremony, the past team
said farewell and our team was introduced. That first moment when we
turned around to face our futures was overwhelming. Every emotion
swirled into one. Complete elation to be elected, mixed with excitement
about the year to come, a touch of sadness to see the last team go, and
a little fear about what I had just got myself into. As the crowd full
of supporters, advisors, and you the members, rose to applaud
everything swept onto me at once. That was the most incredible feeling
in my life. I realized how much I wanted to serve you and make you
proud to be in FFA. The rest of the day was spent together as a team
planning out our future activities. I returned home for a few days- ok
one day- of rest before going back to Upward Bound and my college
classes.
Thursday found me back in Ripley for BLAST
OFF-Building Leaders and Strong Teams of Officers. We spent more time
getting to know one another as a team but more importantly got very
valuable training we'll need in the year to come. So much information
was packed into a few days. We definitely had a blast hanging out and
goofing around. We even took our instructor Stuart Joy frog giggin'. I
know I had a ton of fun just being around these crazy people.
I was home for about a week before jumping on a van for Delaware.
We picked Emma and Derek up in DC from the presidents conference before
heading up to Dover, Delaware for NLCSO-National Leadership Conference
for State Officers. If I though Blast off had alot of information,
NLCSO blew it out of the water. I personally learned so much from our
instructors national officers Becky Sullivan and Morgan Parker. We
worked on a vast variety of things. Everything from team development
to workshops was covered. We got to meet some incredible FFA members
from other states plus the two national officers. One of the
highlights of my life. Everyone was so pumped and excited about FFA it
really go the juices flowing.
I returned home to find my county
fair full underway. Its always a blast to see all the exhibitors and
passionate young students. My county and my chapter has been such a
big part of my life; the members and my friends hold a special place in
my heart. The following week was finals for my college classes. Not fun
let me tell ya. I passed with A's but it was tough.
Every
summer since my freshman year, I have spent six weeks living on a
college campus with 40 other high schoolers. The Upward Bound program
has given me so much in those four years. Its hard to describe all
this program can do for you. Technically its a program for lower income
families and first generation college students to get the kids ready
for college. During the academic semester, every other Saturday we meet
and students take classes relating to what they have in high school as
well as tutoring sessions. Basically if you need help, they can get
it to ya. Best of all you get paid to go.During summer we live in a
college dorm and get ready for the next school year. But UB is more
than that. Its not just classes and studying. Its also about the
personal interactions, the people you meet, the experiences you have.
I have been to some amazing places thanks to that program. This was my
final summer with this great program. UB has been such a large part of
my life but the last chapter closed with my last final trip. At the end
of every summer, we spend a week in a city taking in the sites,
learning, exploring the culture, and touring a college. My final final
trip found me in Buffalo, NY. What an amazing city. The place itself
is truly great. The highlight of this trip for me was going to Nigra
Falls. Standing on a small wooden platform, with thousands of gallons
of water rushing down on you is a humbling experience to say the least.
Standing there looking up, I couldn't help but wonder what the original
settlers thought when they came across them. (Probably an OH CRAP!! or
2 was mentioned) It is completely awinspiring. Its hard to describe.
Those falls are so magnificent. Those of you that haven't been there,
I highly recommend it. But through all this, my time to say goodbye to
Upward Bound had come. As I said a final goodbye to all my UB buds, I
couldn't help but be a little sad. But I also realized I was starting a
new chapter in my life and I had to respect that and move forward.
We as a state officer team recently had our first chapter
visit. September 5 we all visited the Philip-Barbour FFA Chapter and
worked in teams to present workshops to the members. What a great
learning experience!! Thanks again to you guys for having us!! The rest
of our fall meeting we spent learning about each other and planning for
WLC. Which by the way is going to be great this year. Hope to see many
of you there.
Wow that became incredibly incredibly long.
Sorry I went off the FFA topic for a while there. Thanks for sticking
it out with me. We have had an amazing beginning to what I'm sure is
going to be an awesome year. All you guys out there, remember we are
here to serve you the members. You are our top priority. We are here
for you. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact any of
us. We are happy to answer any questions or just chat if you want. We
love talking to the members. Feel free to contact me at any time. I'd
be glad to help with anything you need. Even if its just to chat, give
me a call or send an email or whatever. I love serving you guys and
helping in any way I can.
Until next time...
Much love and best of luck,
Khrystian