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FFA spotlight: Kate Obaugh
MONTEREY - Kate Obaugh, daughter of Kyle and Karla Obaugh who reside in McDowell. Kate is seventeen years old and is a junior at Highland High School. She has currently been a member of the FFA for six years. Kate serves proudly as secretary of the Highland FFA Chapter. She was asked the following questions.
What makes the chapter
unique?
There are so many things that make our chapter unique; however, I most admire the diversity of students within our chapter. Moreover, our chapter has students with numerous abilities, skills, talents, and backgrounds. This makes for a remarkable FFA chapter.
What is your favorite FFA
activity? Why?
Undoubtedly, my favorite FFA activity is the 4-H and FFA Livestock Show and Sale. I just love them! The livestock show highlights the talents of agriculturallybased students as they showcase their livestock project. Likewise, participating in the livestock show teaches children responsibility, goal setting, and most important, children gain knowledge about livestock production. Clearly, the livestock show is a teaching tool to better equip youth of Highland County for the real world.
What have you learned
through your FFA experience?
Throughout my FFA experience, I have truly learned that hard work is a must! Obviously, everyone wants to be successful; however, you cannot grow as a person unless your success is a result of your own work.
What career development
events do you participate in?
I have participated in numerous CDE's including livestock judging, stockmen, parliamentary procedure, job interviewing, and most recently farm business management. Undoubtedly, I have gained so much from participating in these events. In addition, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the CDE job interviewing contest. It has been the most challenging and beneficial contest I have yet to compete in.
The contest allows students to effectively prepare for a mock job interview by completing a non-fictitious résumé and cover letter. The day of the contest, the student completes a job application on site. Then, the FFA member goes before three possible employers for a lengthy interview. Upon the finish of the interview, the interviewee completes three professional follow up letters to the superintendent of career development events or the possible employer. After scoring, the top "employees" go before a panel of judges for the final round of interviewing.
The experience is an accurate portrayal of the steps an individual must take in obtaining a job upon graduation. It surely taught me the importance of confidence and professionalism.
What has been the highlight
of your FFA career?
Honestly, I treasure each accomplishment I have attained throughout my FFA career; however, no experience tops that of my experiences at the 4-H and FFA livestock show. Throughout eight years of exhibiting livestock, the highlight was receiving grand champion feeder steer in 2005, 2006 and 2007, and grand champion yearling breeding heifer in 2004.
The accomplishments accurately highlighted my determination and the hard work of so many wonderful people behind me. I believe my accomplishment highlights improvements within our community's livestock as a whole.
At the beginning of my FFA career, I rarely saw higher than last place. As time progressed, I learned more about the cattle industry and the ideal, desirable animal for today's market. Undoubtedly, I credit the hard work of my dad to improve our cattle herd and the work of our local extension staff to bring such programs as Virginia Beef Quality Assurance to this area.
What are your plans after
high school?
Sadly, I am not interested in an agriculturally based career. I am focusing on a career in preventive health care. Ideally, I hope to attain a job as a dental hygienist upon completion of college.
What motivational quote do
you strive to live by?
I wish to live by the words of Corrie ten Boom, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
Truly, I strive to live by this quote simply because I worry about everything. It does seem silly, however, because I believe God is just going to make of my life what he wants. So, I guess I should not be afraid my "unknown future" because God has great plans for me not matter what plan I think is better.
By Jessie Siron, reporting for
the Highland County FFA
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