Memoreis of 2012

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
"Life is only as good as the memories we make."
"Somedays you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory"

Those are just a few of my favorite sayings regarding memories. In fact, one of the reasons I treasure photographs so much is because they are proof of happy times- of great memories. Memories are something intangible that no one can ever take from you. It is my hope that my scrapbooks and photo albums will remind me of my best moments when I am old and grey.

There are some memories I wish I could live in forever. I can recall the exact details of some; a slow dance at prom, the moment you walk across high school graduation stage, the feeling of triumph as you win state FFA public speaking... There are also moments you live vicariously through. The fear in your parentes eyes as they dropped you off at summer camp for the first time or the tone of a best friends as she confides in you.

Some memories never die, no matter how long I will live. There are the memories that drown you with emotion. 2012 was a year filled with memories. After my first year at the University of Missouri I did not think freshman year could be topped. Well, I think it was.

Since the new decade began, I have started a trend of kicking off the year in interesting places. 2011 began on a Hawaiian beach with my best friend. I had the rest of senior year to look forward to, I was excited to begin college and anxious about the future.

2012 started in the jungles of Costa Rica where I was studying abroad and leaving the country for the first time. I was having the time of my life writing about tropical agriculture and experiencing life overseas. 2013 began surrounded by friends in my college neighborhood. I just spent the week in Florida for National Agriculture Ambassador training and had been home for the holidays. Now, I returned to good ole' CoMo to ring in the New Year. I would be off to Mexico, visiting my fifth country shortly after.

Looking back on 2012 there were many defining moments and, as always, opportunities. Here's my top 12 memories of 2012: (In no particular order... they were all fabulous!)

I-CAL, Malaysia

1. Gained my first internship with Agriculture Future of America. AFA has offered me countless opportunities since I began college and I learned invaluable lessons during my internship.

2. Traveled to southeast Asia as one of twelve collegians nation-wide selected for I-CAL through the National FFA Association and U.S. Grains Council. I found myself in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore learning about international agriculture.

3. Once again, made the Dean's List. Keeping the GPA strong for Law School!

National ACT officer team

4. Elected as the National First Vice President of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. I along with four other officers assist in leading our organization. It's been an amazing national leadership position!

5. Was asked to serve on the Missouri 4-H Equine Tour planning board. It felt great to help facilitate the trip as a four-year alumni. I credit this experience for modeling me into the individual I am today.

6. Receiving runner-up for the Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassador Contest. I gave my speech onstage with an audience of 300+. This was actually the first speech my mother had ever seen me preform. (Every time I qualified for state FFA public speaking she would never sit in the audience, at my request, even when I won.)

Runner-Up, Ambassador

7. Sitting on the Columns drinking Starbucks with my best friend, Sonja Perry, on the evening we completed our fall semester. (Her first and my second at MU.) It was one of those perfect life moments with your best friend (whom I met on the Missouri Equine Tour) that you cannot possibly describe.

8. Obtaining my American FFA Degree. I had worked toward this goal since I joined the FFA as a freshman. My parents went with me to Indianapolis where I walked across the national stage along with countless other friends in corduroy I had met through the years.

9. Celebrating my 19th birthday with the best friends I could ever ask for. We ate at my favorite Mexican restaurant and celebrated the end of our freshman year and gave cheers to my last year as a teenager.

Earning my American FFA Degree

10. Going on an epic road trip to Myrtle Beach for spring break. Two cars, 2,000 miles and 30 hours of driving later we arrived from Missouri to the Carolinas and spent a week on the beach.


11. Becoming a frist-time home owner. I said "goodbye" to dorm life and moved into a duplex with my best friends; Kaitlin Flick, Sophie Hyder and Amanda Neff. We have had some priceless memories with adjusting to living off campus and to running our own household.

National Collegiate
Agriculture Ambassador 

12. Serving as a National Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador. I am one of 20 collegians who have the privilege of speaking on  agriculture issues. Not only did I get a free ipad and Ambassador "swag" but I got to travel to North Carolina and Florida with some great friends from across the country.