Breanna Schroeder | 2017-2018 District Reporter

One of my earliest childhood memories was learning how to ride. I’m almost positive I sat on horses before I could walk. There was a combination of two things that always made riding unforgettable. The first is obviously horses, but the second is my grandpa. My grandpa introduced me to agriculture the second I was allowed to leave the house. Our trips consisted of everything from feeding cows to traveling to horse sales. Countless life lessons were learned in those trips, even though we are so alike and stubborn that a lot of them involved shouting before any learning took place. However, through it all, I’m so blessed that he planted the agriculture seed in my life.

My name Breanna Schroeder, though everyone calls me Breezy, from the Beloit FFA Chapter and I’m proud to serve as your 2017-2018 NCD Reporter! I was born in Hays, KS and was quickly moved to Manhattan, KS where I began to grow up. My childhood consisted of visiting my grandparents farm, attending KSU basketball and football games, and playing any and every sport that was thrown at me. I have two little brothers that are my world. Brodie is 11 years old and going to be in 6th grade and Brevin is 5 and going to be starting kindergarten. I live with my brothers and my mom and dad Brent and Heather Schroeder.

I began first grade attending Riley County Elementary School. Those years flew by until 5th grade when my life started to take shape. My family decided to move out to my grandparents farm to live with them until we began to build our house next to there’s. This is why 5th grade was the best year of my life. I loved the farm more than anything, but of course with ups there are downs.

My nurse and I after finishing my first ever treatment in the hospital

My 6th grade year was the hardest year of my life. In August of 2012 I was diagnosed with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or ITP for short. Basically what that means is my platelets are low and we still to this day don’t know why. Platelets are the blood cell that clots your blood so not having enough would mean you are more susceptible to internal and external bleeding. There is no cure for ITP, but there are treatments. I monitor my platelet count by getting blood drawn about every month and my treatments consist of IV’s in the hospital with a medicine called WinRho only when my platelets get low. Since there is no cure for ITP my body has to fix itself so I am currently living with chronic ITP and am handling it extremely well.

My 7th grade year my family once again decided to pack it up and move. My dad started working for Hardman Wholesale in Osborne, KS so we moved to Beloit, KS. I know it doesn’t make sense. The reason for living in Beloit is we are living right between both of my grandparents, one set in Osborne and one in Riley. My dad has now switched back to his old job which is being a sales rep for Standard Beverage, but we still live in Beloit. My mom sells Premier Designs Jewelry and is a transcriptionist for a couple of doctors.

I attend school at Beloit Jr. Sr. High School and am involved is several different clubs (of course FFA) and play volleyball, basketball, and softball. In my free time, if I ever have any, you can usually find me at the ball fields playing softball or hanging out with family. I travel back to Manhattan a ton for football games and to visit the farm.

My summer softball team after we won state last year

My SAE is in specialty animal production. I raise a special type of quail called coturnix quail. Coturnix quail are extremely special, especially in my life. They contain high concentration of minerals, protein, and good cholesterol. For me personally, coturnix quail eggs have had a significant impact on my autoimmune disorder. It has allowed me longer time between treatments which means the world to me. Not only has my SAE taught me life skills but it has improved my life as a whole, which makes it extremely important to me.

A few of my coturnix quail on the farm

The biggest thing I look forward to this year is getting to meet all of you guys! I’ve told you so much about me but I really want to learn about you! I hope you’ve all had a fantastic summer and are ready for the best year ever because it’s coming fast! See you all very soon!

Breezy Schroeder

2017-18 NCD Reporter