EDITOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Class of 2018. As we wind down the busy season of graduations, we are highlighting some of the words shared on stages – this one is from Makala Parsons, who was elected to a Statewide elected office for Oklahoma FFA. Her accomplishments and speech deserve some limelight as she has embarked on a busy year, including beginning college at Oklahoma State University this fall. Congratulations!
The Graduate: Makala Parsons
Parsons speech at the State FFA Convention in May before her election as Central Area Vice President.
Thomas Edison once said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up, the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
It’s the beginning of a new season. The barn has a light smell of Clorox. The pens are spotless and the clean feeders hang ready to feed the next set of champions. You’ve been on the road, to farms and sales, looking for the best of the best. You have worked vigorously this season. Feeding, walking and monitoring your cream of the crop for the chance to make it up the hill.
It’s finally time. March madness! The Oklahoma Youth Expo! It is a maze of pens and walkways in the swine barn all leading to the glorious hilltop of the big ring. It is the moment you have wanted and worked for, where the best animals meet their match. Your heart is pounding, palms are sweaty, and of course, your showpig looks spectacular. The gate swings open and instantly you and the sift judge make eye contact. Then in super slow motion, he points to the sift pen. You feel defeated, crushed.
Over the past five years, I have had the opportunity to find myself in the big ring and also the sift pens in the FFA organization. It is easy to feel defeated when you have failed to achieve a goal. Throughout my career as an FFA member, I have had the opportunity to find my true self. I have had the privilege to grow personally and live to serve members of my schools and community. Our purpose on Earth is to do what we can, with what we have, where we are. That is the very reason I desire to serve as the Central Area Vice President of the Oklahoma FFA Association; to do what God has made me capable of doing and to use the skills and atrributes learned throughout my FFA career to better serve the 66 FFA Chapters in this region.
So, here we are again. Heart pounding, sweaty palms and the moment to make the big arena and serve the Oklahoma FFA Association.
With her election, Parsons became the first Luther FFA member to represent at the state level. Charles Wilson was the last FFA Officer in 1953 from Luther, according to FFA Advisor and Ag Teacher Holly Drake who has mentored Parsons throughout the Parson’s high school and FFA career. This week Parsons is at the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp in Wagoner.
