Road Trips
With six out of the seven Greenhand Conferences wrapped up for the year, I take time to look back on my experiences during the 1,284 miles traveled in the past month. Getting to be a part of the East Central, Southeast, and Southwest Conferences were all very enjoyable. I realized how encouraging Greenhand members are. This is the first conference that Greenhand members are able to experience during their time as an FFA member. The excitement and enthusiasm they expressed for this organization was so refreshing. It allowed me to reflect back to when I first started this journey in the blue jacket. Trust me, during the twenty-two hours in the car, I came to a lot of realizations.
Realization number one: Take advantage of the opportunities that are at your fingertips. As I look back at my FFA career specifically, I realized just how much each decision I made impacted my future. First, getting involved in the public speaking career development event during my freshman year. Secondly, deciding to run for a district office junior year. Finally, running for a state office this past spring. Now, each of us have different things we want to pursue. For me, it was personal growth and leadership. However, whatever it is that we want to be involved in, we have to dive in full heartedly and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. My experience is that even though it may be scary at the time, in the end it is worth it.
Realization number two: Wherever you go, take time to meet the people around you. This may be the single most important thing to remember for any person. Over the past three months, I have encountered a lot of changes in my life, the greatest being the move from my hometown to Manhattan, KS. I thought this move would be pretty tough, leaving my family, farm, and animals back home but because of the people I met the first week at college my transition was easy. It took me a long time to realize that every person I meet has something incredible about them. That is why real, genuine conversations are needed to start and develop meaningful relationships. These people will become the support that we need to make it through the good and bad days.
Realization number three: Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. I am guilty of sleeping, working on homework, or messing around on my phone during road trips. However, while traveling through the Flint Hills by Manhattan and on the flat plains of western Kansas, my mind was blown by how beautiful our state is. The pinks, yellows, oranges, and blues in the sky during the numerous sunsets I was able to witness were breathtaking. It allowed me to obtain a greater level of appreciation for our state and they diverse beauty it possesses. We only get to live in a moment once — so let’s actually live it.
One of the many sunsets I have gotten to experience while traveling through Kansas.
I’d like to wrap up by saying thank you. Thank you to Kansas FFA Greenhands for encouraging me, long road trips for allowing me to reflect, and to the state of Kansas for sharing its beauty with me. We only get to live this life once. We only get to live in a moment once. So, let’s take those opportunities, meet those people, and celebrate that beauty. Kansas FFA, it is time to start living.
Forever Blue,
Katelyn Bohnenblust
Kansas FFA Treasurer