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What dairy or ag-related extracurricular activities are you involved in? I am an active member of Holdingford FFA and a member their Dairy Judging team. My teammates, Travis Gerads, John Middendorf, and I made it to state the past two years where I received a silver ribbon both years. We placed second at Skills Fest in 2012 for linear evaluation.  I intend to compete again this year. I received my Greenhand and Chapter degrees and will try for my State Degree this year.  I've received the Freshman and Sophomore of the Year awards from our FFA organization. I am serving as the chapter's secretary and enjoy working with my fellow officers and attending National FFA convention in Kentucky. Through FFA, I participate in the fruit sale, working concessions at football games, maintaining local gardens around Holdingford, working the children's pedal tractor pull at Holdingford Daze, the Veterans Day Assembly, FFA week at school and making homemade ice cream with the kindergartners.
 
Why are you involved in these activities/organizations and what is your favorite? I enjoy learning about agriculture, being a leader and giving back to the community.  I believe in the world today there are so many negative things being shown to the youth that greatly  influence their future. I like to live by example by showing others how to give back.

Tell us your best experience during your time in these activities/organizations. My favorite activity has been the Veterans Day Assembly because I feel these men and women deserve to be honored for their service to our country and made the ultimate sacrifice. I this is very important, but what really stands out to me is the response of the veterans themselves. They are so very thankful to be recognized for their services.

What's your favorite social media and why? I would have to say texting. It's a convenient way to keep in contact with my friends and family and get quick answers to my questions. 

What are your career aspirations? I intend to go into the medical field working with the newborn babies. I have always loved babies and know about their needs. I had considered being a vet, but decided it's not for me. I still intend to have quite a few pets though.

What is something you've learned from being involved in these activities/organizations? I have learned to never give up hope. It is truly amazing to see what a person can accomplish when they put their mind to it and believe in the cause. When I was able to pick out a calf for my 11th birthday, I picked a tiny little Jersey I named Bambi. He weighed 50 pounds and compared to our Holsteins he was tiny.  When the calves had scours, we lost some Holsteins that were larger than Bambi. Dad and Grandpa tried to prepare me for the inevitable, but I wouldn't listen. I did everything I could think of to help him get better for a month. My faith in Bambi and my hope in his recovery paid off. He survived and beat the odds! This is why I say never give up hope. You cannot imagine what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it.

Who do you look up to and why? The person I look up to most is my dad. He is the hardest working person I know. He works from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. seven days a week, all year long. During harvest time or if something is broken, he will stay up late working on whatever needs to be done. He works hard and never complains. Even with a full schedule, he helps others when they need it. He manages to attend my volleyball and softball games, choir concerts and my siblings events too. He can't make it to every game but when he comes, it means a lot to us. He encourages us to be kids but teaches us about responsibility and hard work. My dad is an inspiration to us and many others. I am lucky and honored to call him my dad.

Tell us something about yourself that many people don't know. I have pet rabbits. Theodore, we call him Theo, is a Black Otter. Smokey is a Siamese Smoke Pearl. They are both Netherland Dwarfs and love to be held. Speedy, a barn cat, jumps into the cage when I open it and rubs against the bunnies. I really enjoy having my bunnies to play with.

Tell us some of your duties on the farm. I usually help clean the barn and feed the cattle. I help my Grandpa, Elmer Huls, feed the calves sometimes in the evenings. Depending on the season and what is being done in the fields, I drive tractor, unload hay, help with the corn harvest or fill in where I am needed. I love grease guns. My dad lets me grease the machinery before we use it.  One day on the farm is never the same as another

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you change it? I would supply better medical care to people in third world countries. I would collect money after concerts, sporting events and other large gatherings. The money would be used for missionaries and medical supplies.[[In-content Ad]]

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