PLYMOUTH — Plymouth Future Farmer’s of America treasurer Sarah Hoak was recently selected as the 110% Award recipient for 2020.

Hoak shared her essay on reflections about the award below:

By Sarah Hoak

Going into my freshman year at Plymouth High School, I was pretty overwhelmed with what was coming my way.

I was playing two varsity sports in the fall (golf and volleyball) playing basketball in the winter, had the responsibility of being our FFA chapter treasurer, as well as a member of student council, Viking crew, girl scouts, multiple FFA Career Development Events (CDEs), academic challenge, scholastic classes, and maintaining my social life. I was always busy and never took a break.

There were some days where I would get up and be at the school at 5:30 a.m. for an early morning CDE practice, go through school, leave for a golf match then rush to my volleyball game and then stay up late and finish my homework for the day.

It was tough and I wanted a break, but I didn’t stop or give up.

I loved FFA CDEs my first year and I always will. Career development events are an amazing way to learn new skills and grow as a person.

My first year of taking ag classes my ag teacher Mrs. Ringler convinced me to compete in the FFA Creed public speaking contest. I wasn’t too excited about it at first but then I really took a liking to it. I grew so much as a person and am so happy I competed in the event.

My freshman year I competed in the job interview CDE and placed 4th at state in my division. I learned a lot through the job interview CDE and made some good memories. I love public speaking and I never would have tried it without FFA.

I have also competed in other CDEs such as soils, parliamentary procedure, poultry judging, and forestry. I enjoyed all of them and always had a good time and learned an amazing amount of information. They not only are fun but they are good learning experiences and a way to better yourself as a person.

Ag classes have really shaped me as a person. I used to be this shy little girl but now I’m confident and seen as a leader in my school. Being an officer my freshman year was a little different, I was the youngest on the team and the most inexperienced but I still did my job and completed my role as an officer earning a gold rating on my chapter treasurer’s book.

I am still early in my FFA career, but I am honored to have been so involved and so am honored to have been awarded the Ag Credit 110% Award this past spring. Giving 100 percent is difficult, but going the extra 10% provides a person with a great sense of accomplishment.