Opps!
Did I Do That?
Confessions of a State FFA Officer
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“California FFA”
Breanna Holbert,
S e c r e ta r y
California Association FFA
Post Office Box 460
Galt, California 95632
(209) 744-1600
[email protected]
www.CalAgEd.org
It was January 29th. I was a
freshman in high school and at
6:30 AM we were headed to our
first creed practice contest. Aside
from the nerves, glazed over
eyes, and stomachache from my ag
teacher’s driving, I was accompanied
by crutches and a bright pink cast
on my leg. When we finally arrived,
I jumped out of the van (that was my
first mistake) and headed towards the
contest. At the bottom of the stairs
stood all of the contestants, parents,
and creed judges. I was wondering
how I would get down the stairs to join
everyone with my cast. Well, gravity
took care of it for me. As I took my first
step, I tumbled and my crutches made
it to the bottom and I followed right
behind them. I guess that’s one way to
conquer two flights of stairs! Oh yeah,
and January 29th, that’s my birthday.
What more could I have wanted my
first day as a fifteen year old?
During regionals my senior year I was able to
make it into the finals of the Prepared Public
Speaking contest, meaning that I would give my
speech on stage in an auditorium full of people
- yikes. I spent the time before pacing back and
forth running through my speech in my head, and
hoping I would be able to answer my questions
adequately. Moments later the lapel microphone
was attached to my jacket and I began to
speak. Eventually the nerves subsided,
and I got through the entire speech and
questions - in fact I felt pretty confident in
my delivery and answers. I walked off of
the stage feeling good, and went to share
my excitement with my advisor. Come to
find out, instead of nailing my last question,
I had done quite the opposite. I guess I
had been so ready to give an answer
that I forgot to actually process what the
judge was asking. And as a result what I
said made absolutely no sense. It’s funny
because I can remember thinking how easy
that question
had been,
when in fact
that was not
the case at
all. And it all
happened
in front of
about 200
people.
Joelle Lewis, President
The CA FFA News is published
quarterly by California Association
of FFA.
You want to talk about embarrassing? Hands down, running
for chapter office my junior year was my most embarrassing
FFA moment. When all of the candidates and I
sat in the agricultural mechanics shop waiting for
our interview, the school bell began ringing like
crazy. Doesn’t a school bell kind of sound like the
fire alarm? That’s what I thought too from the way
I was flailing my arms to and fro, running around
the sharp and dangerous tools, and frantically
screaming “IT’S A FIRE DRILL!” It wasn’t until the
wrestling coach next door stared me down with
the look of ‘watcha doin’, Felicia?’ that I realized my mistake. I became the alarming
butt of jokes for weeks!
Sydney Sousa, V. President
Winter 2015
Volume 4 • Number 2
{ Continued on page 3 }
California FFANEWS • Page 2 • Winter 2015