Two years ago, our five lives were changed forever. We were elected to serve as Illinois FFA State Officers, where we took a year off of college, lived out of suitcases, and represented Illinois FFA. We worked together, lived together, and pushed each other's buttons sometimes. We grew from being five teammates to being friends to being a family, and I am so thankful I gained four brothers in my life.

I remember when we are all first elected, and people wondered how a team of four guys and one girl would go. I wasn't too worried because of growing up with two older brothers, and after reflecting on our year, I know everything worked out for a reason. I may have been the only girl, but you guys tried to make sure I was included in planning but also with trying to find things to do after work. We discovered a nice balance of playing football in the pool, NHL tournaments, and spa nights full of mud masks and nose strips.