Talyor, the California Vice President ,myself, and my friend Brittney
Everything is bigger in Texas, from their malls, their historical landmarks and my personal favorite, cinnamon rolls. This year’s Future Business Leaders of America 2012 National Leadership Conference was held in San Antonio Texas a few weeks ago. My FBLA advisor had found out the last month of school that I had qualified to compete in the event job interview at the national level. Not only was I ecstatic to FINALLY be a senior, to show my first pig Doodle at the fair, but to also be representing my small town at Nationals. I think those of you who are reading this will find it interesting, like myself, what resonates with people when they hear “California.”
We kicked off the National Leadership Conference the first night with our State meetings. Each state would have a meeting in separate workshop rooms. California’s meeting was the loudest by far, which we were quite proud of since this year’s National theme was “Gateway to Greatness” which emphasized the power of letting your voice be heard, making a difference, and exploring new opportunities and experiences, which would ultimately lead to your own “Gateway to Greatness.” The California state officers then began to explain the design and meaning behind our new state pin design. Each state gets a state pen to put on a FBLA lanyard that the participants receive as soon as they walk in. Our state pin this year was the California bear in a business suit leaning on a tractor. The California state officers then began to explain how in the past our state pin had featured the California bear at the Golden Gate Bridge, Hollywood sign, and at Yosemite.
The bear is usually featured on or at something California is well known for and recognized for. However, this year our pin would include an aspect of California that most FBLA-ers don’t always fully recognize us for, our agriculture and how our agriculture is a key component to not only our economy, but our identity. Since I have grown up in such a rural and ag-involved community and since agriculture was such a huge part of my life, it was surprising to me that California wasn’t always recognized or acknowledged for our diverse agriculture. When my friend Brittney and I started making new friends and when they realized we were from California, they instantly asked us if we knew how to surf, had palm trees in our backyard, or if we knew anyone famous, to which we always laughed and replied “Nope just the opposite. The only thing we’ve ever surfed are TV channels.” Brittney and I then began to realize that the California state officers were right, California wasn’t properly recognized for all of its great aspects, especially its farming and agricultural side.
Being that every state receives their own state pin that includes something about their state, it became a very popular activity to trade and collect different pins from across the country. Even though most people expected all Californians to live on the beach or surf, our agricultural pin was the most desired pin out of the states, which made Brittney and I feel really good that other states began to acknowledge and admire California’s agriculture. We then attended workshops, voted for regional presidents, and I ended up placing in the top 15 in the nation for job interview.
All in all it was an amazing experience and we made tons of memories that will last a lifetime. Just like the FBLA National Leadership theme, I hope you all make new experiences, let your voice be heard, take on new opportunities and reach your “Gateway to Greatness!”
Lauren LaGrande is the latest in a family farming tradition that began nearly 100 years ago. She is a sophomore at Maxwell High School and is active in FFA, Future Business Leaders of America, volleyball, basketball and softball. When she’s on the farm, you’ll often see her with her trusted companion, Hank, the family dog. Lauren’s great-grandfather grew his first rice crop in the Sacramento Valley in 1916 and the family has continued this tradition ever since.
The bear is usually featured on or at something California is well known for and recognized for. However, this year our pin would include an aspect of California that most FBLA-ers don’t always fully recognize us for, our agriculture and how our agriculture is a key component to not only our economy, but our identity. Since I have grown up in such a rural and ag-involved community and since agriculture was such a huge part of my life, it was surprising to me that California wasn’t always recognized or acknowledged for our diverse agriculture. When my friend Brittney and I started making new friends and when they realized we were from California, they instantly asked us if we knew how to surf, had palm trees in our backyard, or if we knew anyone famous, to which we always laughed and replied “Nope just the opposite. The only thing we’ve ever surfed are TV channels.” Brittney and I then began to realize that the California state officers were right, California wasn’t properly recognized for all of its great aspects, especially its farming and agricultural side.
Being that every state receives their own state pin that includes something about their state, it became a very popular activity to trade and collect different pins from across the country. Even though most people expected all Californians to live on the beach or surf, our agricultural pin was the most desired pin out of the states, which made Brittney and I feel really good that other states began to acknowledge and admire California’s agriculture. We then attended workshops, voted for regional presidents, and I ended up placing in the top 15 in the nation for job interview.
Brittney, our advisor Mrs. Wright, and myself
All in all it was an amazing experience and we made tons of memories that will last a lifetime. Just like the FBLA National Leadership theme, I hope you all make new experiences, let your voice be heard, take on new opportunities and reach your “Gateway to Greatness!”
Lauren LaGrande is the latest in a family farming tradition that began nearly 100 years ago. She is a sophomore at Maxwell High School and is active in FFA, Future Business Leaders of America, volleyball, basketball and softball. When she’s on the farm, you’ll often see her with her trusted companion, Hank, the family dog. Lauren’s great-grandfather grew his first rice crop in the Sacramento Valley in 1916 and the family has continued this tradition ever since.
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