We Believe

We Believe

A little less than a year ago, I along with my other Wilson teammates, were proudly wearing our purple and white uniforms as we walked into the Gross Coliseum at Fort Hays State University. Just 20 minutes later we were playing in the state basketball tournament against the #1 1A Division 2 ranked team in the state. The bleachers behind us were filled with our fans colored in purple as we took to the court all that we had done in preparation for the game.

Before we knew it we heard the buzzer and looking up to the scoreboard; we were tied 38 to 38. During overtime we kept our heads up, working as a team, but unfortunately we were defeated 59-52. What I remember most, though, was gathering in the middle of the court after the game, as a team. Even though we had tears in our eyes and our hearts were broken, we managed to declare two simple words that kept us going throughout the season, ‘We Believe.’

The next day, while we were not playing for the state championship game, we still laced up our shoes, gave each other a pat on the back, went out to play our game of basketball, and received the honor of 3^rd place.

Once again and for my last time, we shouted out those two words, ‘We Believe.”

To believe is to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reality of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

As a team, through the season and even the off-season we lived by this motto. We knew that we had to work hard; we trusted we would learn from our mistakes and we had confidence that anything was possible.

We all have strong beliefs as a teammate, a competitor, a student, an employee, AND even as an FFA member and agriculturalist.

At the 3rd National Convention, our organization adopted the words of E.M Tiffany, who summarized our beliefs as an organization, to become the FFA creed. Its latest revisions were at the 63rd Convention. For many years and years to come, members of our organization recite these words...

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

As a freshman I memorized and presented these words at our District speech competition. But I have continued to have confidence in these words throughout high school and throughout my life. These words guide us as we continue to take part in feeding and clothing the world.

Through tough times and good times, in whatever it is, we always must believe.

Less than a month ago, I was back on the court, but this time as a Wilson Alumni. It was different, to play against my own teammates and to no longer wear a purple and white uniform, but my motto was still the same.

I believe that I have the potential to make an impact and to make a difference as a teammate, as an agriculture advocate, and in all that I do.

Continue to Believe!

Finding Time

Finding Time

"When I start my day by reflecting on all the things I have to be grateful for,

I’ll have a much more rewarding day."

~Russell Simmons

Back in elementary school, in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, our class would always get excited whenever our teachers' Mrs. Young and Mrs. Thielen would say just one word. READ-A-THON! So it may not be found in the dictionary, but a read-a-thon really just means that instead of having multiple lessons during the school day we just got to read from the beginning bell to the end. When we heard we were going to have a read-a-thon, we would get up and cheer. The morning of our read-a-thon, we would each come to school with our pillows under our arms, our blanket dragging across the floor, bookbags on our back, and our hands full of capri sun juice packs, candy, cookies, and crackers. We would even carry along a little money to purchase snacks at the vending machines. (As you can imagine, this was our cooks least favorite day, beacuse we were always too full to eat our food during lunchtime.) Once we got in the classroom we called out our spot and spread our blankets out, sometimes making forts or laying under the desks. Then it was finally time to lay down, eat our snacks, and of course, the main purpose of the day, start reading.

Our teachers would set a day just for us to read. This was a great opportunity for us to actually have some time to read a book and we couldn’t use the time to do anything else. In high school, though, we never heard the word read-a-thon. It was now our responsibility to always read on our own time.
Not only is reading something we must find time to do, but also reflecting; reflecting upon your life. We are not just given a whole day to reflect about what has happened and why it may have happened like reading back in elementary school. Now, we actually have to take time and reflect.

One of my favorite ways to reflect over the summer was taking a walk up and down my driveway while the sun set. Just taking some time to realize what happened that day, being thankful for the gifts that I had, and how I could be an even better person the next day. As the summer ended and college began, it got tough to find time to reflect but I realized there are many opportunities during our day to reflect…

* While Driving
* By writing in a Journal
* Chatting with a friend you can trust or who will challenge you.
* During daily chores like washing the dishes, folding clothes or cooking supper.
* Taking a Walk
* Listening to Music
* and so many more- it just depends on you!

As the holidays are here, we are usually reminded to be thankful for what we have; but truly it is every day, in all that we do, that we should show that gratitude and reflect upon our days. This day though, is the perfect day to start. This evening just take three minutes. THREE minutes before you fall asleep or while you drive or while you cook and think of what you have accomplished, some challenges you faced, how you acted and what you want to carry on to the next day and what you would rather change.

I know life goes quickly and we don’t think we have time or we need to reflect, but the only way to make us better in what we do and how we live is to learn from mistakes, to discover our gifts and talents, and to realize who we are supposed to be. A whole day is not given to us to reflect like read-a-thons in elementary school, so it is up to us to make that time.

"Seeing yourself as you want to be is the key to personal growth."

~Author Unknown

Happy Irthday!

Happy Irthday!

Sitting in their car seat I used to read them books, they rode tricycles around the farm, and I often heard them yell “Ustine, Ustine, Come play with me!”

Now my two younger brothers are playing football, heading to school every day, doing their chores at night, and writing their own stories.

It's official...my little brothers are growing up! In fact (not only are they almost as tall as me), Ethan turned 11 and Aaron turned 13 (a teen) just a few days ago! This definitely deserved a celebration! So my older brother and I went home over the long weekend. On Sunday, we cleaned the kitchen and the living room, had the cake, the candles, the presents (Ethan’s favorite), and the games all ready! As I began to place the candles on the cake, I came to discover one HUGE problem.

See these candles were not ordinary candles, these candles were the letter candles and spelled out the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

I had just finished placing HAPPY on the top of the cake and as I began to put the next letter on, which as we all know was to be a B, I realized that the B candle had broke! AHHHHHHHH! I didn’t know what to do, it was almost time for the cake and we didn’t have the right candles. I became slightly frustrated and upset, how could the birthday party go right?

Soon my brothers came in the kitchen, saw what was wrong, and began to laugh. I realized that their day would not be even slightly a bit ruined if their cake was missing a candle. In fact, it was even better because now instead of saying they had a Birthday cake, THEY had an IRTHDAY cake (not many people get to say that). The evening went on with the traditional making a wish and blowing out the candles, opening of the presents, and card games of UNO and it was a fantastic IRTHDAY for them both.

Things are going to go wrong in our life, but there is no reason to fret or to worry. We’ve all heard before LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES and how true it is. You learn and you live on.

Sometimes we go about life worrying more than enjoying the gift of each and every day.

At times it may take the reminder of an 11 and 13 year old boy to help you see it too.

There may come a day that you get a flat tire, you miss your alarm, you lock your keys in the car, or you break a candle for a cake, but sometimes that’s what makes life interesting and as marvelous as it is… so HAPPY IRTHDAY to all of you!

Share What You Care About

“Today you are You, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

“Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!”

“If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew,

just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”

~Dr. Seuss

At the beginning of this month, my teammates and I got our own fair share of rhymes, words, and morals from the one and only Dr. Seuss as we prepared for District Officer Conference.

Since 1937, Dr. Seuss has been sharing his wise words with children, teenagers, and even parents.

As a reflection before the end of day one at the conference, officers reflected on the life, dedication, and commitment of Dr. Seuss compared to themselves and their year of service.

Dr. Seuss, who wrote under the pen name of Theodor Geisel, was sure that in order for people to succeed in life they must know how to read. He wanted to help everyone love to read; he did this by making reading fun. His stories of a cat in a hat, a fox in socks, and eggs that are green, brought enjoyment to all of his readers. There have been over 200 million copies of his books made and have been translated to 15 different languages. Mr. Geisel had a passion to share his love of reading, he took action, and now is known all around the world.

As FFA members and agriculturalists we have a passion for agriculture; we see the need for it around the world. So many times in the past couple months I have heard that by 2050 there will be an estimated 9 billion people on the earth (almost 3 billion more people than we have today). Even now it is a challenge to feed all of the people in our world and soon, even more. It is up to us to help feed the world now and for years to come.

How will you help FeEd the world?

How will YoU share yOuR passion?

How will you make a dIfFeReNcE?

Share What You Care About

To Sum It All Up: Myself in Numbers

Holding on tight to each other, my brother and I grew up weaving through the students of Wilson High School, down the hall, until we reached that one room the seemed like home. Once through the door we drew on the white board, played tetris, watched Cyberchase, and even played paper hockey. That's right, we were in Mom's math room. And what's math, without numbers? Numbers for me, though, are not just 1 + 1= 2, rather...

1= Justine Dlabal. I am Justine Dlabal. Just as all of you, I am one person who has my own strengths and my own weaknesses. My purpose in life is to fulfill God's will that he has for me.

2= Role Models. By now, I have many people in my life who have been great role models for me, but there were two people from the very start who were positive role models. My parents Jim and Rosemary showed me how to live my life; they lived with courage and strength. They have always believed in me.

3= My Three Lovely Brothers. I have been blessed with one older and two younger brothers. Ethan, the 10 year old fifth grader, enjoys playing basketball, baseball, and football. Aaron, the seventh grader, is one of the smartest little boys I know. He loves to write, draw, and play soccer. Joshua, my older brother, will be a junior majoring in civil engineering at Kansas State University. He always helps me out and if there was one would be awarded the Best Big Bro Award.

4= Prongs on a Fork. For some odd reason (I have no idea why) I prefer to use forks, which have four prongs, over spoons. I eat corn, potatoes, even ice cream with a fork.

5= Corners. My hideout, when I want to be alone, is my five corner bedroom. (Yes, my bedroom does have five corners). While my room is usually a mess (and my dad wonders how I even get to my bed at night), I can spend hours in my room finding random things to do.

6= Advisor. My advisor Mrs. Huseman begun teaching at our school six years ago. I had no idea about all of the opportunities of FFA when I first joined, but Mrs. Huseman was sure to help me along the way. Her encouragement and belief in her students is remarkable.

7=Strength. Harmony (a seven letter word) was chosen as my top strength. I try to let very little conflict arise when working with others.

8= Snooze Button. While I try to imagine every time I wake up that this new day is a gift, I do enjoy my sleep. I set at least three alarms every night in fear of missing it, yet I press snooze at least eight times before I actually make my way out of bed.

9= Sunset Time. During the summer days, I love spending the late evenings outside. About 9:00 is the perfect time of day; the colors of the sky are amazing and I've learned that YES your day will get better if you SING as the sun sets!

10= My Dream. Since I have been ten years old I have had the dream of becoming an elementary teacher. My goal is to come back to my hometown and teach at Wilson Elementary School.

11= Birthday. April 11, 1993, an Easter morning, was the day my parents were blessed with their one and only little girl.

12= Minutes. Our family lives on a farm between Ellsworth and Wilson. It takes 12 minutes to get from our farm to the school in Wilson. Although I would never try, I could probably drive the road with my eyes closed.

13= Coaches. Ever since I've first begun participating in sports I have had 13 different coaches. I have enjoyed basketball the most, but also ran track and played volleyball.

14= Classmates. I went to high school at the small 1A school of Wilson High school. I graduated with 14 classmates but more importantly friends, teammates, and supporters. We were like a family and made it through everything together. Those 14 classmates made me never want to leave.

15= Class of ’15. This next year I will be attending Kansas State University. In May 2015, I hope to become a K-State alumni as I receive my diploma.

16= First Hurt. I have never had a broken bone, stitches, etc. Although I did not have to go to the hospital, when I was 16 I rolled my ankle during a basketball game. It has been my one and only 'serious' injury so far.

17= Daily Sticky Note Use. My organizational skills consist of sticky notes, sticky notes, and more sticky notes. They can be found in my bookbag, beside my pillow on my bed, in my purse, and just about anywhere. While 17 is not the exact number I use every day, it’s pretty close to the average.

18 = Now. This brings me to today; the age I am. I have been given another year full of opportunities and full of challenges to overcome. A year to make a difference in the lives of those around me. I am very excited to serve the Kansas FFA and promote agricultural education throughout the state. My 18^th year has so many possibilities ahead of me, just as this year, this month, this day has endless possibilities for all of you.

~So much more than just these numbers describe me, but it’s a start to my life equation.~

There is something that makes each of us unique, whether you connect with numbers or not is your own choice. Realize what makes you- YOU and LIVE YOUR LIFE!