FFA Personal Statement

While I was an undergraduate student at the University of Texas, several of the things I deeply enjoyed were taking interesting classes that did not pertain to my degree plan and entering these courses with an open mind. Some of these courses I genuinely enjoyed were Spanish, Middle Eastern Studies, and Literature of Renaissance Florence. My interest in applying to PLFSOM is similar to taking these liberal arts courses. Because PLFSOM is situated on the US/Mexico border, I will have the opportunity to immerse myself into another culture while focusing on medicine at the same time.

I am Kristianne Dowd and I am currently in my third year as an Agriculture and Food Systems major with a minor in Science Teacher Education. I am one of four other students that have aspirations to become an agricultural educator after college. At the New Jersey State FFA Convention in 2012, there was a luncheon held by various Rutgers University staff. There I was informed of the opportunity to attend Rutgers University in order to receive my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree within 5 years with a focus on Agricultural Sciences. During the Rutgers University application program I had applied with the intent to major in Agriculture and Food Systems with the desire to participate in the 5-year track to earn a Master’s Degree in Education.

I have grown up on my family farm outside of Albert Lea MN for my whole life. I have always taken a special interest in the beef cattle on our farm. I currently manage all of the herd records, and own part of the business. Throughout my SAE project through FFA, I started my own herd as well. I work extremely hard on our farm with the beef chores. I also help out with the crop farming on my farm by running tractors and watching bins. Because I have such an interest in cattle, I started working on a dairy farm two years ago. I currently milk 150 cows before, and after school everyday. I take a lot of time with my school studies as well. I maintain a 4.0 even while taking numerous college classes, and working. One of my greatest passions while in school has been FFA. I have served as the historian and the President of our

Throughout my high school career, my time in Lemoore FFA never had a dull moment, in fact, my involvement in our FFA activities has been the highlight of my high school experience. The start to an encouraging experience within the Lemoore FFA chapter began my freshman year. As a freshman, not only was I given a pocket protector in my Intro to Ag Class, but I was introduced to what the FFA had to offer. I was privileged to be a part of the Greenhand Officer team serving as the Historian. Although the Historian is not a constitutionally required position, being an officer gave me the opportunity to both improve my public speaking skills and a chance to participate in two opening closing contests that year.

Living on a farm and interacting with a rural community has allowed me to understand a wide range of perspectives. Through raising animals, I have learned both responsibility and patience. AS a freshman in high school, I participated in FFA (Future Farmers of America) and I did not know I would want to pursue a career in the environmental field. FFA allowed me to interact with farmers, learn how our food is grown and understand what farmer’s opinions were on environmental policies.  

The National FFA Organization is an organization that I have been devoted to full heartedly, as a student, I grew hooked to every opportunity that FFA could offer and fell in love FFA goal, which has been consistent for every generation. Their goal is to develop leadership, personal growth, and future success, as an officer, I have promoted my responsibility to lead in my own unorthodox way of being gentle and graceless.

Personally, I have always been indecisive in all my decisions. Entering high school I had planned to take extracurricular classes pertaining to nursing. I was not exactly the most interested in that field of study, but I has been told that is the career I would make money in. The first day of high school I was not looking forward to entering the nursing class. I was sitting in my home room class waiting on my schedule anticipation rushing through my veins as I waited on my name to be called.

After I graduate from Sam Houston High School, I plan to continue to finish my Associate's degree in Cyber Security and Information Assurance at San Antonio College in the fall. During that time I also hope to gain an entry-level position with a company that can make good use of the current skill I have obtained. Hopefully an entry level position within the aspect of Computer Forensics or Linux System Administration. During my time here I wish to continue with that company for a couple years to gain a well above average and lengthy experience and distinguish myself from the millennial stereotype that we get bored easily, give up easily, and move jobs every three to six months.

The transition from being a child, dependent upon parents for everything, to an independent adult is one of the most stressful times a person will endure. Legally speaking, 18 is the age when you become an adult but the number doesn’t describe the responsibilities and independence you must take on. College is seen as the “big step” into the real world and many people struggle in choosing where to make their transition. I would like to take my “big step” by attending Florida Atlantic University.

As a senior in high school, I have been questioned about where I am going to school and what degree I plan on getting. Up until about November of 2015, I was very indecisive. I was torn between a career in healthcare and what I knew I was passionate about. I wanted to be a teacher. I have taken health care classes since my freshman year of high school.

In this day and age, less than 2% of people in the United States is involved in the production of food for the remaining 98% of citizens in the country. Among discussions occurring in the 2%, one common topic is a lack of education about agriculture in the general public. Prior to high school, I am ashamed to admit, but I was one of the people who would have answered that my milk came from a grocery store. As a project one year, I went to the grocery store and interviewed shoppers as to their knowledge about agriculture. Many of them had a similar belief as I once had, food starts at the grocery store. Upon my entrance into high school, I quickly became involved in the National FFA Organization. Many of my family members gave me crazy looks

I have a saying that goes, “there’s a reason for everything, not always a good one, but there’s a reason for everything.” I’ve always wondered exactly why that is, but honestly, life is full of unexplained things, and sometimes you’ll never get an explanation, just the feeling that something is meant to be. Such as the case of me being involved in agriculture. Ten years ago, as a middle schooler whose loves in life were hanging out with friends and eating junk food, I never would have guessed that today, I would spend my weekends at sheep shows, be considering a job that would allow me to be paid for posting on Facebook, or have done all that I have done in life, but I do all thanks to agriculture. Like many, my first taste of agriculture

My choice to attend FIU was one of the easier ones I’ve made so far in my academic career. I was drawn to the university as I felt a sense of community here that has only been further enhanced as a legacy, with both my mother and stepfather having completed their Bachelor degrees at this institution. The relationships and connections my parents were able to build here were a testament to FIU’s ability to bring together people from so many different backgrounds and create a family. I experienced an even greater connection as my stepfather found a lifelong friendship and mentor in an FIU staff member and honored him by making him the godfather of one of my younger brothers. Thus, FIU has been a special part of my life even before college was

I wish to continue my education at the University of Iowa State, majoring in computer engineering. I have always been interested in technology and all of the great ways it can globalize the world. Without this technology then people would not have the opportunity to connect with their love ones abroad. In my situation, the family that I have that are still in South Sudan, who were not able to make it to the United States.

Statistics have shown that students who participate in an after-school club during high school show better academic performance and it also gave them a feeling of closeness to other members of the club. High school experience is much more enjoyable if a student is involved in an extracurricular activity. Students will know where they belong, and their once felt loneliness will be gone. California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is a state-wide organization that engages in many fun service programs throughout the year. In addition to that, CSF recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements. CSF welcomes students from freshmen to seniors, and rewards members for doing good deeds. The number one thing I want to accomplish before I graduate from high school is to become the president of CSF club because I enjoy giving volunteer services to my community and it's a perfect opportunity for me to meet new friends.