The First Keynote, Singing to Dr. Case, and Rest at Home...

Wednesday 12/15 at Tyson headquarters in Arkansas:  We worked with Josh again today and actually gave part of our speeches that we had developed.  We tweaked some and then added more and finally got the delivery on one of our stories done.  After Josh left then, we spent the remainder of the day finalizing, practicing, and timing our keynotes so that they would be ready for the next day…lookin’ forward to see students tomorrow!!!

Thursday 12/16 at Har-Ber High School in Arkansas:  Back to the classroom today!  It was so great to spend time at Har-Ber High School in Arkansas.  The day began right away in the morning where we entered a lecture type room that we would give our first keynote speeches in.  Kelsey King, President at Har-Ber FFA did a great job at introducing us and we also had a blast being able to meet so many great FFA members from not only Har-Ber but also some surrounding schools.

Tiffany was the first one up and she definitely set the bar high with her message.  It is amazing how all of the speeches really came together over the course of just a few days and also being able to see the improvements from each of my teammates (and myself).  James quickly followed suit and nailed his talk as well.  There was a quick video played about science in FFA and then I was up.  I must admit that I was a bit nervous.  Still, I was very happy with how things went and my time was right on (I was a bit worried about that because I have a tendency to talk longJ)  Anywho, there was a break then where we had some time to has a few refreshments, visit with more members, and just hang out.  While this was all going on, some of the students had to leave to finish some of their semester tests while students from surrounding schools also went back.

After the break, Shannon, Landan, and Riley all concluded their own speeches and it was then off to the Ag classroom for lunch (yes, the noon meal is called lunch not dinner…still trying to get used to that).  We were able to spend about the next 45 minutes to an hour eating with members, taking pictures, and just getting to know them more.  I was very impressed by each of the members there and it was a bit hard to say good-bye.

Later that day we went over some coaching, I took a nap, and finally celebrated that night at dinner.  Overall, today = success!!

Friday 12/17 at Tyson headquarters in Arkansas & Indy:  After breakfast at the hotel, we went to Tyson’s headquarters again and wrapped up our training over the last three weeks.  Tyson representatives talked to us about the company and we were able to ask more questions and to close out our time at Tyson, Ms. Durham shared some parting thoughts about how we have prepared for what lies ahead and that we are “ready” for things to start happening after the first of the year.

Tyson friends have been so good to us and they sent us off with a heart-felt appreciation.  We then made our way to the airport and got ‘home’ to Indy in time for us to repack and get ready for Dr. Case’s retirement/Christmas party at the National FFA Center.  It was a great time and our officer team even sang a medley of Christmas songs that we changed the words.  Dr. Case closed with some remarks about how excited he is for the future of FFA/Ag-Ed/Agriculture as well as sharing his love of others and his thanks to God.

Saturday 12/18 at Indy & HOME:  We got up for the last time in Indy in 2010 and prepared to leave.  Thankfully we all made it home safe with only minor delays!

BREAK 12/19 – 1/2 at HOME: I have been spending time at home and I must say that it has been great to be with family and just relax a bit.  I have been feeling great and things have been going well but I am glad to get caught up on sleep/emails/and all other things.  I still have a pretty lengthy to do list before I fly back January 2^nd but it all seems manageable.  I have had a great Christmas with friends and family and am all geared up for 2011.  I thank the Lord for all of the wonderful friends and family that He has blessed me with, sending Jesus down to earth, and the prayers and encouragement that so many people have given me over this year!  See you in 2011…

Classrooms, Speeches, and Frog Legs...

Tuesday 12/7 at Indy:  We started to finalize our workshops.  I must admit that I am nervous for the next few days but I am very excited to me in the classrooms again.  Knowing that the workshop that I have developed with a lot of help from Ms. Durham, Ms. Jill, Ms. Whitney, Alex Henry, and my teammate will be the workshop that is done at conventions brings adrenaline to me.  We were also able to visit with many individuals serving on the foundation.  It was a fun evening where I learned more about how the foundation operates and the personal qualities of each individual that we met.

Wednesday 12/8 at Indy:  Last day to finish preparations.  Quick stop to pick up supplies, finish making our posters, and presenting different parts of our workshop to make sure that our directions, connection, and applications are where we need them and the day is all wrapped up.  Of course I cannot forget the Chili contest in the National FFA Center.  Let me tell you…team/staff members in the National FFA Center sure know how to make some Chili!!!!!

Thursday 12/9 at Lebanon High School in Indiana:  We went into classrooms to give our workshop for the first time from start to finish with FFA members.  It was great getting to spend time learning from them by sharing stories and ideas.  Shannon, Landan, and I went to the Lebanon High School in Indiana.  All of the members and Ag students that we saw were great.  My workshop went well but it also showed me what I need to improve on as a presenter and facilitator.  Mr. Ernest is one of the Advisors there and he has a great way of relating to students and encouraging everyone.  He and everyone else made me feel welcomed.  Later that night, we had dinner with Dr. Armstrong and his wife to get to know them better.  They are both individuals that have a heart for service and agriculture/education/FFA…great people!

Friday 12/10 at Shenandoah High School in Indiana:  ANOTHER VISIT!!!!  This time, the same three of us went to Shenandoah High School.  We visited his a bit larger classes and we did it in the cafeteria area.  This was one fun party that is for sure.  We had more room to use which allowed us to have more space for activities.  Again, this group was fired up to get involved and make a difference.  After our visits, we made our way to the airport and arrived in Arkansas (first time for me) in the late evening.  On the way, I sat by a wonderful lady that has served in the Army and is now with the Veterans Hospital.  She has totally given her life for serve to our county, service to soldiers, and service to everyone that she meets…THANK YOU!!!!!!

Saturday 12/11 at Arkansas:  The first full day in Arkansas started with us being able to sleep in and have all day to rest and get caught up on things or work on whatever we needed too.  I must say that it was nice to be able to have a little room to get some things done (including sleepJ)

Sunday 12/12 at Arkansas:  Two words…FROG LEGS!!!!!!!  Yes, that is right.  We had a dinner at the Catfish Hole and had very traditional Arkansas style food.  Ms. Durham is our coach and she is originally from the area.  She wanted to give us the full experience of Arkansas and I decided to go all in and enjoy frog legs.  The verdict…I don’t think that I will order them again but I must admit they did not taste bad at all (I still like my steak though).

Monday 12/13 at Tyson headquarters in Arkansas:  We arrived at the Tyson headquarters which is where we are having our training for speech development, business and industry training, and etiquette practice.  Tyson’s headquarters definitely has a family feel to it and everyone has been so nice to us.  After a full day of learning and practicing business visits, I was able to try Buffalo wings for the first time as well (we do have them in South Dakota but I just haven’t had them yet).  Two thumbs up here!!

Tuesday 12/14 at Tyson headquarters in Arkansas:  Today we really focused on speech development and delivery.  We were privileged to have Josh Sundquist be our trainer for today and he will be working with us a couple hours tomorrow as well.  He is such a talented speaker and person.  I feel much more equipped already to deliver a stronger, more powerful message.  We are now practicing part of our speeches tomorrow.  It will be a great learning experience and I am very excited to try on new techniques that Josh has shared.  Check him out on youtube!  He spoke at the 2009 National FFA Convention.

Videos, Workshops, and Christmas...

It is remarkable to believe that we are done with one full week of training already!  To recap a bit…

Monday 11/29 at Indy:  Logistical management was the theme for today.  Everything from expense reports to understanding the different departments at the FFA Center and the various teams and team leaders.  So many things to remember!

Tuesday 11/30 at Indy:  We received FFA phones and computers today and learned more about staying connected with my new email: wdejong@ffa.org.  In the evening, we went to Conseco Fieldhouse and filmed FFA Week promotional videos and feature videos.  It was quite a fun but I don’t feel as though I am ready for show bizJ

Wednesday 12/1 at Indy:  Some training at the center followed by all staff Christmas decorating.  Then…team bonding activity around Indianapolis!  We were sent on a mission to become more familiar with Indy as well as the areas that make up convention.  One high light was of course eating at Steak and ShakeJ  We had a great waitress, Brenda, that shared a joke, engaged us in conversation, and went out of her way to serve us.

Thursday 12/2 at Indy:   Today was fun!  We really opened up and talked about the value of diversity.  This led to us preparing for our goodwill tour to Japan by learning what our schedule will be like while we are over there.  I am very excited for our stay with host families and seeing a farm over there.  To wrap up our day, we experienced an authentic Japanese meal.  I must say that I am starting to get better with chop sticks but I need to work on my posture when sitting on the floor for my meal. 

Friday 12/3 at Indy:  We visited the FFA Merchandising Center.  It was great seeing how it all came together to put out high quality products.  It was pretty neat to learn that one of the worker’s mother actually hand sewed FFA jackets when she worked for the National FFA Organization.

Saturday 12/4 at Indy:  WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENT!!!!  We had picked out our topics for the workshop that will be developing over the next few days.  I was a bit nervous as I selected my topic and started to learn how it would all come together…time will tellJ

Sunday 12/5 at Indy:  Attended Sunday school and worship with the team.  In the evening we had our team Christmas party and enjoyed home-made chili and had a great time playing a couple rounds of Catch Phrase…sadly, my team did not win.

Today 12/6 at Indy:  It was a full day of training about how facilitation all worked.  We went in depth and started to prepare so that tomorrow we will start practicing our workshops in front of our teammates and coaches.  To wrap up the day, we went to a Pacers game where we met with Conseco Fieldhouse managers so we would be familiar with some of the background information while we plan for next convention (yes we are already in the planning stages…any ideas?).

Tomorrow 12/7 at Indy:  Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen!

And We're Off!!!!

Today was the first day of our training in Indianapolis.  We started by attending a local church where we sat in on Sunday school followed by the service.  After worship, I was able to catch up with my teammates and my coach that will be working with all of us the most this year: Ms. Durham.  She is an intelligent and talented person that is committed to improving us and challenging us beyond what we have faced.  We spent three hours today getting prepared for what training will look like for the next three months, discussed expectations, saw our cubicles for the year, and had some time to unwind.  There are three cubicles, so we each are paired up.  I am with Landan Shaffert!

After learning more about expectations for training, I feel like this will be a challenging time that every moment will be a time of discovery and learning.  I am ready to hold on and see what all happens.  Tomorrow is when we start to dive into understanding more personally our talents and also get into workshop planning.  I am more definitely excited to see what tomorrow holds…