What do you get when you mix flowers, tears, plaques, and barbeque? That's right: a chapter banquet! It was already that time of year. The time when everyone breaks out the tissues, that special occassion that is noted as the "highlight of the year".
I started off at none other than good ol' Brenham High School. I must say everyone looked quite sharp in their official dress attire, and that chicken fried steak sure was yummy! I listened to the musical stylings of Miss Kyla Rae Cmajdalka (I hope I spelled that right, Kyla!) and Mr. Wesley Westbrook before hearing the many wise words of our retiring chapter officers. Of course, the highlight of my evening was watching my little sis be recognized as the 2010-2011 Brenham FFA President. I'm so proud of you, Lauren.
The next thing I knew, I was on my way to Klein Forest. It was here that I was blown away by the number of degree recipients. Talk about a lot of hard work paying off. I watched as Quad attempted not to cry during his final remarks (good try, Quad) and as the Senior members of one of my favorite officer teams hung up their jackets. Tiffany, you better keep that ghetto face on, because the new Klein Forest FFA team has an awesome year ahead of them.
Before long, I was driving...and driving...and driving...and still driving...all the way to the Irion County FFA Banquet in Mertzon, Texas. I must say, it was definitely worth the drive. For a program with a fresh start, they blew me away. Numerous state qualifying teams, the first Lone Star degree recipient in 25 years...and all because of an amazing ag teacher and his phenomenal students. I can't wait to see this chapter's name on banners for years and years to come.
By this time, I'd eaten fajitas, catfish, and even some chicken fried steak, but a banquet season isn't complete without barbeque. Luckily, I got my fill during the Sweeny FFA Banquet. I also earned myself a $10 profit from the bet that Ms. Pittman made. That one is going down in the books. And let's not forget the lovely dance moves from the Sweeny FFA Talent Team. Our next America's Got Talent contestants? I'm not too sure about that one...
That left only one more banquet: Louise FFA. This was the one where I broke out the tissues. Every time my eyes would finally dry, someone else would make them swell up with tears. All I can say is: Tana and Clint, Pa would be so proud of both of you. As if retiring addresses aren't enough to give you goosebumps, Clayton sent me over the edge. For as long as I can remember my one goal was to make a difference in one person's life...and in the process of working towards that, he made a difference in mine. Thank you so much.
And with that, I headed back home with banquets as a reflection in the rearview mirror and State Leadership Camp coming quickly in the distance. I can't wait to see what this year's SLC has in store. You 74 area officers better get ready, because it all starts with one...and that one is YOU.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Area VIII- Part III: The final week
9 months. 30,000 miles. 400 high schools. 800 presentations. 150 houses...and it all came down to one, final week. Big D and I started off our final trek through Area VIII with a visit to Cleburne, Texas. It may have been early, but eventually, everyone was out of their seats having a great time. Of course, I can't forget our quick conversation with Tori, Pete, and Boots afterwards; we got the down-low on life in Cleburne. Next, we headed to Alvarado, where we had a blast learning about the students and their plans after high school. Our last stop of the day was Jimmy's in Midlothian...it may have been a teeny-tiny bit out of the way, but how can we turn down delicious Italian food with the coolest kids around?!
Our tasty lunch made me REALLY sleepy, so we stopped by Kayla Threet's house for a 3-hour snooze. I love days like that! Before long, we were in Italy, Texas for chicken spaghetti and the greatest brownies known to man. Haley's mama sure is a good cook! Don't worry, though, we also made a stop by the Uptown Cafe (recognized by Texas Monthly as one of the top 40 small-town cafes) for lunch after our presentation, and it certainly lived up to Dan's promises as "the best food ever". Thanks, Dan the Man. We ended our day in Frost, home of the Polar Bears. They didn't lie when they said there would be pictures of the mascot EVERYWHERE. I've never seen so many polar bears in my life!
Next, we headed on over to Hillsboro for the Lake Whitney District Convention. Talk about stiff competition. There were FIFTEEN candidates for district office, and they all gave astounding speeches. I, personally, was excited to hear a candidate begin her speech with the creed in Spanish. If you can do that too, make sure to sign up for the first-ever Spanish Creed Speaking Invitational that will take place at the 82nd Texas FFA Convention. After listening to all of the speeches, I must say that all of the candidates rocked it up there! Congratulations to all of the newly-elected Lake Whitney District officers and Area VIII officer candidates!
It had been a long day, for sure, which means it was time to rest our head...IN A CAMPER! Mr. Key set up the coolest stay for us in Joshua. He stocked his brand-new camper full of cokes and snacks just for us. Talk about the coolest house-stay ever! I even got to watch "Chopped" on the Food Network. It doesn't get much better than that. We woke up the next morning for what would be our very last day on the road. Dakotah kept trying to make me cry...but I held strong! Go me! After some tasty chicken biscuits from Chik-fil-a and an awesome presentation, we headed to Godley. It was there that I got to see my buddy Ryan (I haven't seen him in at least 6 years...crazy where you run into people!), and eat at the locally-acclaimed Taco del Norte with Jeremy. Yum! Then came the moment I had been dreading all year...our last school, the final time, the grand finale. Luckily, we ended our year with a big bang in Tolar. All of the seniors even stayed for our presentation, despite the fact that they were out of class. Thanks guys!
With that, we packed up our box for the final time. There would be no more "IDK", "BFF", "LOL" or "OMG". No more balloon games or rubber bands on people's noses. No more simon says. We were done. Was it sad? Yes. Did I cry? Absolutely not. We may have finished travel, but that just means we are closer to the 82nd Texas FFA Convention. This year, it starts with one concert by Kyle Park, one dance with over 5,000 students, one Vegas-themed fun night, and one chance to hang out with 15,000 of your friends. So, FFA members, get excited! Get pumped! Get ready for the convention of a lifetime in Corpus Christi, Texas, where "It Starts with One"!
Our tasty lunch made me REALLY sleepy, so we stopped by Kayla Threet's house for a 3-hour snooze. I love days like that! Before long, we were in Italy, Texas for chicken spaghetti and the greatest brownies known to man. Haley's mama sure is a good cook! Don't worry, though, we also made a stop by the Uptown Cafe (recognized by Texas Monthly as one of the top 40 small-town cafes) for lunch after our presentation, and it certainly lived up to Dan's promises as "the best food ever". Thanks, Dan the Man. We ended our day in Frost, home of the Polar Bears. They didn't lie when they said there would be pictures of the mascot EVERYWHERE. I've never seen so many polar bears in my life!
Next, we headed on over to Hillsboro for the Lake Whitney District Convention. Talk about stiff competition. There were FIFTEEN candidates for district office, and they all gave astounding speeches. I, personally, was excited to hear a candidate begin her speech with the creed in Spanish. If you can do that too, make sure to sign up for the first-ever Spanish Creed Speaking Invitational that will take place at the 82nd Texas FFA Convention. After listening to all of the speeches, I must say that all of the candidates rocked it up there! Congratulations to all of the newly-elected Lake Whitney District officers and Area VIII officer candidates!
It had been a long day, for sure, which means it was time to rest our head...IN A CAMPER! Mr. Key set up the coolest stay for us in Joshua. He stocked his brand-new camper full of cokes and snacks just for us. Talk about the coolest house-stay ever! I even got to watch "Chopped" on the Food Network. It doesn't get much better than that. We woke up the next morning for what would be our very last day on the road. Dakotah kept trying to make me cry...but I held strong! Go me! After some tasty chicken biscuits from Chik-fil-a and an awesome presentation, we headed to Godley. It was there that I got to see my buddy Ryan (I haven't seen him in at least 6 years...crazy where you run into people!), and eat at the locally-acclaimed Taco del Norte with Jeremy. Yum! Then came the moment I had been dreading all year...our last school, the final time, the grand finale. Luckily, we ended our year with a big bang in Tolar. All of the seniors even stayed for our presentation, despite the fact that they were out of class. Thanks guys!
With that, we packed up our box for the final time. There would be no more "IDK", "BFF", "LOL" or "OMG". No more balloon games or rubber bands on people's noses. No more simon says. We were done. Was it sad? Yes. Did I cry? Absolutely not. We may have finished travel, but that just means we are closer to the 82nd Texas FFA Convention. This year, it starts with one concert by Kyle Park, one dance with over 5,000 students, one Vegas-themed fun night, and one chance to hang out with 15,000 of your friends. So, FFA members, get excited! Get pumped! Get ready for the convention of a lifetime in Corpus Christi, Texas, where "It Starts with One"!
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