Doing to Learn by Christophe

Doing to Learn by Christophe - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

Some of the greatest opportunities I have ever experienced were through my school’s FFA program, which has allowed me to flourish in something I care strongly about. Not being from a family that owns a farm or ranch nor ever participated in any form of agriculture, my interest has developed from my own self desire.
This interest was fed like a wildfire by my freshman Agricultural Science class. We learned many things but one thing that still sticks with me today is a documentary we watched about sustainable agriculture. The keynote speaker of the film was Joel Salatin whose books I began to read after discovering his work. I learned an immense amount about ecological processes along with sustainable cattle management practices. To some the subject seems boring, but for me, it is about as interesting as it gets.
Returning to high school my sophomore year I discovered that our FFA chapter had received two new teachers and the class I had received with them was range ecology. Although it didn’t seem so important at the time it has led to many wonderful opportunities I have received in my high school career. Beyond the success of competing in many different contests, I have had the opportunity to develop my leadership skills. I have been given the opportunity to use my knowledge to teach and train underclassmen as well as be a leader of judging teams, and serve as a chapter officer.
By far the greatest and most impactful opportunity I have ever received is when one of my ag teachers suggested I attend the Texas Section Society for Range Management Youth Range Workshop because of my high interest in the subject. Not only did I have a great time spending a week with people that have the same interests as me, but it allowed me to put to use my knowledge of range and the leadership skills I had developed. I was given two leadership awards as well as the overall award for camper of the week. I thought that was about as good as it could get until the beginning of my junior year when I got an email from the workshop’s director notifying me that I had been selected to attend the Society for Range Management annual conference in Minneapolis,. Minnesota to give a presentation in the High School Youth Forum. Not only was it an incredible opportunity to represent my state I was also able to forward myself as a leader and develop a knack for public speaking.
If it was written in the stars that I was put in the right situation at the right time to flourish I may never know. One thing that I do know is that I have been blessed with very unique opportunities that have allowed me to find my passion in life as well as develop professional, social, and leadership skills beyond what I would have received in the classroom. I now have the ability to communicate an idea to others in an effective manner, and motivate them in a way that is pleasant as well as productive. Through these programs I have also been able to network and develop professional relationships with people that are considered the very best of their field. I hope to continue to grow what I have gained from these experiences and continue to pursue the desire they have instilled in me.