Meet the Cast Monday #33: Mr. FFA

Today you guys are actually going to meet one of Little Brother's best friends, Mr. FFA. You've read about him before from my Notre Dame football trip! He grew up in New Mexico, was a State FFA Officer with Little Brother, and went on to be a student at Notre Dame and the National FFA President.

He's also an aspiring public speaker, I'm serious guys, he's going to be famous for sure! (Check out his website here...you'll be impressed!) And you'll be able to say you met him here. He's an amazing person--one of those that makes you want to be better yourself--and I'm so happy to have him in my life and to be able to introduce him to you!

Meet Mr. FFA!

Tell us your favorite part of being National FFA President?
The people. Without a doubt, it has always been about the people. As I reflect on the year, I believe that is what has had the biggest impact on me. From Greenhand members who were just learning the FFA Creed, to dynamic state officers, and US Congressional leaders in Washington, DC- I have met some impressive people. Their insight, advice, motivation, and attitudes continued to inspire me throughout my journey.

Seeing others grow has also always been another fond memory of mine. To watch a student change and expand their abilities over a short period was very rewarding. To this day anytime I receive letters from students about their latest accomplishments, I am quickly reminded about the impact that FFA has on students’ lives.

The exposure to so many leaders, industries, cultures, and opportunities was simply amazing. I don’t believe there is any other place to achieve this type of experience in one year at such a young age. Not only did I build wonderful relationships during that year, but also I find myself continually starting new ones as a result of that experience. It was a year that has forever changed my life. {Think he has ever answered this question before?}

Tell us your favorite part of being a student at Notre Dame?
Notre Dame is really great. Much like FFA, Notre Dame is full of traditions. For me I think this is what makes it so special. To be a part of a crowd of almost 90,000 people cheering for each football game and then to be in silence and prayer at the Grotto are some of my favorite feelings in the world. {I didn't get to go to school there, but I can tell you in my 12 hours on campus, those were my two favorite experiences as well!} Notre Dame is a great academic institution, but the lessons learned there are more than just academics. I believe that Notre Dame surrounds you with other students who will challenge you to grow, expand your thoughts, and support you to become better in every way. This is what I love about it. You’ve traveled all over the world—what has been your favorite trip and why?
Two of my favorite stops have been in South America. I couldn’t decide between the two so I will share both. This past semester, I along with almost 20 other Notre Dame students studied abroad in Chile. For one week in March we all traveled to the southern region of Chile named Patagonia, or more commonly referred to as “The end of the world.” We went backpacking through mountains and survived one challenging adventure. The views were breathtaking and the water was as blue as I have ever seen it. At some points we were above the clouds and it felt a bit unreal. The natural environment is virtually undeveloped and because of this it remains to be one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. {I'm disappointed he didn't choose his summer working at an orphanage in Central America. Little Brother at one time commented that he didn't understand why Mr. FFA had to keep going overseas instead of staying put at Notre Dame. Then Little Brother said, "He sure loves them orphans." This has become a total running joke with Mr. FFA!}
My other favorite is in fact a wonder of the world. This summer, while in Brazil, I traveled to Rio de Janeiro for a short time. There I visited the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of one of the largest hills in the city. Because of my faith the statue is very special, but it is also simply an architectural feat. The views of the platform below the statue make it a site to see. The platform lies high above the city and the ocean to set the scene for a very powerful aerial view. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a beautiful vacation. {How awesome is this picture??}

You’re quite the motivational speaker. If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?

My mission has always been simple- to do good things for the world and inspire others to do the same in the process. I would tell everyone to forget the rules, stop making excuses, and to do what you feel you were born to do. Everyone knows what they want to do, but few actually do it. {Bold, underline, star that last sentence!} I meet students all the time who have all the potential, but their views of their own talent and ability are so limited. It is time that the world stops listening to the negativity and instead achieves more than we ever thought possible. In the end I know that the advice I share on the stage is meaningless unless I trigger something inside their mind and activate a response and an action. Inspiration plus a call to action is where the real results come from.
What is something you constantly pray for?
Like anyone, I always pray for the people who are most important in my life. They are constantly on my mind and a focus of my daily prayers. Many times I will pray about the current burdens on my heart and the issues of the world that challenge me to do more. I feel for those less fortunate and pray for an end to the violence of this world. In addition, I often find myself asking for more courage to do what I am meant to do in life and more faith in general. I feel like these are two areas that I can never grow enough in. {Praying for more courage to do what I am meant to do in life....I'll be adding that to my list of daily prayers....I mean seriously, this kid is amazing!}

What was your favorite showing memory?
In 2006, I along with the help of many others raised the best pig we ever had on feed. We decided to haul her to The National Western Stock Show, which happens to be a terminal show. She weighed in at 252 and was a painted-up cross in a class of all blue-butt gilts and a few barrows. Al Schminke was the most sought after judge in the country at the time and he was sorted through the class at a fairly fast pace. He penned 9 pigs in a class that allowed 10 to be penned before they sent the rest out of the ring. I had driven her by him several times and he just didn’t see her. In a frantic effort as we walked towards the fence I turned her and drove her straight at him. As she turned towards him he looked in her direction, saw her chest floor, and sent us to the last pen. I later won the class, but I will never forget the sheer nervousness I felt as I watched him pen the other nine pigs before mine. I could also see Mr. Flanagan on the other side of the ring red in the face and appeared to be not breathing well. That made it a little more interesting. It was a show I wont soon forget.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
This is even more difficult than the FFA questions. I have no other way of answering this, but to simply focus on the things that I hold to a high value now and imagine the next steps. My life has always been somewhat of an adventure so I never know where I will be in six months much less in ten years. Yet, I see myself in ten years involved in the church with a strong focus on my faith. Hopefully I will have a wonderful family with a couple children. As for work, I see myself involved in public policy and law.

What is one (or more) item(s) on your bucket list?
1. Meet the Pope.
2. Become completely fluent in Spanish.
3. Launch a non-profit to help eradicate hunger all over the world.
4. Go to law school.
5. Live abroad. Again.
6. Speak on every continent… and at an event at the White House.
7. Change lives all over the world.
8. Go Skydiving. {This is without a doubt the most popular answer when I ask this question.}
9. Become 6’6” and play in the NBA… still developing a plan for this. Stay tuned for details. {Me too, buddy. Me too.}