5 or 55, You Have A Voice!

Seventh graders, eighth graders, freshmen - YOU HAVE A VOICE! No matter how young, no matter how new to your chapter you are - you have a voice. 

I started my FFA career in the eighth grade and quickly fell in love with this organization. My passion formed fast, I competed in about every contest we offered, and jumped into helping with every activity. At the end of that year, I talked with my advisor and decided, you know what - why not run to be an officer? I’ll just try it out and apply. That I did and was slated as secretary of my chapter. Our slate then passed, and we began preparation for our year that summer. It was that summer during our officer training I realized: I didn’t feel like I was being listened to. My fellow officers were hearing me share my ideas and opinions, but not listening. They would interpret, become distracted or unengaged, and never seemed to value what I had to say. At that moment, I have never been more thankful for my determination and passion. I was determined to get them to see that I had something to bring to our team and that they should value my opinion. As the year went on, I never stopped sharing my ideas and opinions, no matter how many times they overlooked them.

Now, as president of my chapter, I strive to hear from our younger members and advocate for them in any situation possible. Leadership doesn’t come with an age requirement, good ideas can come from someone 5 or 55, and all opinions should be taken, listened to, and valued no matter how old those giving them are. 

Sidney Julian

District V Secretary