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!