You Create Your Own Opportunities

  Life is full of risky situations that can leave you scared and wondering if you made the right decision. If you decide to never take risks, many opportunities can be missed. Running for a district office, for example, is a risk that I took that left me nervous for the future and very, very happy.

  My name is Gabryelle Gilliam and I am the 2014-2015 North Central District Secretary. I am a senior at Washington County and am enjoying every minute of my busy schedule! I am very involved in showing livestock through 4-H, FFA activities, and of course, trying to fill out as many scholarships as possible (K-State here I come).  I am also trying to spend as much time with my friends and family before my high school days come to an end.

  Throughout my life I have had many opportunities presented to me through both showing livestock and FFA. Having the chance to meet many influential people in the agricultural industry and travel the country is something that I am beyond thankful for. I’m sure when my dad first got me showing at the age of seven, he never imaged I would fall so in love with livestock and dedicate myself as much as I have. When I was little, I was extremely shy and refused to talk to new people; sometimes I even hid from family! I was raised to be independent, though, and my dad tells me every day to stand up for what I believe in. When I started living by those words, I started creating my own opportunities.

Showing my steer at the Kansas Beef Expo (one of my newest adventures)

  Over the past few years, I have gone to different showing events without my family. I know this was hard on my dad at first (Daddy’s little girl here), but it helped to push me to where I am today. At first this was just local events that I would hitch a ride too. Last year, however, I was able to show at the National Western Stock Show, which is in the middle of calving season for my family. There is no way my dad could take me, so I called on some friends. I was able to create this opportunity by stepping out of my comfort zone and knowing that I was capable of doing everything necessary to have my livestock ready to show on my own.

 Another opportunity I created was with my steer this year (pictured above). In previous years I have shown cattle at the county fair that my family had raised. This year, however, I had a new desire to show cattle. There is a family that lives a few miles from me that raises show calves and I spent my summer lifeguarding (did I mention I hate swimming?) in order to buy myself a steer. Not only did I have a summer full of memories at the pool, I have also found a love in showing cattle and cannot wait to see what this year will hold!

  Above of all of this, my decision to run for an FFA District Office was the most life-changing. There is so much time and commitment put into both running for office, and then once being elected it feels like the dedication level between you are your team increases 100 percent. My fellow officers have come to be some of my best friends and have impacted me in ways that I could never thank them.

The 2014-15 North Central District Officer Team; also known as my best friends

  As our time as a team begins to wind down, we end up talking about our futures nearly every day. Seeing the passion for FFA in my team, and finding out how much I truly love this organization, has pushed me to take one more risk. I have decided to run for a State FFA Office for the upcoming year. Whether I actually am elected as an officer is not what is most important, however. The most amazing thing in my opinion is that a shy little seven-year-old was able to create enough opportunities for herself to even have this chance.

  Trust me, I know taking chances can be scary. I know things do not always work out. However, according to the words of H. Jackson Brown, “Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.” I challenge each and every one of you to take a risk, create an opportunity, and watch as life shows you all that is has to offer.

Your 2014-2015 North Central District Secretary,

Gabryelle Gilliam