Living Passionately

Hello! My name is Gabryelle Gilliam and I am serving as the 2015-2016 Kansas FFA State Sentinel. I am originally from the Washington County FFA Chapter, and the North Central District. The bond that I have already formed with my teammates is so incredible! Here’s a little insight into what I see in my teammates. Karl can always be found with a smile on his face and a ready-to-go attitude. Bailey is the one who keeps everybody on task, but she does so in a way that makes any job go by quickly. Dean may be one of the more creative members on the team, and our common backgrounds allow us to stop and talk livestock at any time. Lane is one of the most loving and genuine people I know; he makes everyone he is around happy. Kyler is definitely the most tech savvy person on our team, and he would do anything for us. Now here’s a little bit about me.

I grew up in Washington County, Kansas, on my family’s farm. The town of Washington has around 5,799 people, and our FFA chapter has roughly 50 people. I previously served as the chapter’s Treasurer, Sentinel, and North Central District Secretary. FFA has been a huge part of my family for quite some time. My dad, uncle, and cousin were all district officers and ran for state office. My uncle was the State Vice President for the 1979-1980 year. When I first joined FFA as a freshman, it was because I wanted to keep that family tradition alive. My love for the organization has grown to a whole new level since my first year as a member. It sure is amazing the things that can be done and accomplished through FFA.

Outside of my FFA activities, I am very involved in 4-H and showing livestock. I have been a member of the Farmington 4-H Club since 2003, and have showed livestock since 2005. I show pigs, sheep, goats, cattle, and horses at the county fair. I also show pigs, sheep, goats, and cattle at the State and National level. I have always been a daddy’s girl, and he pushed me to find my passion showing livestock competitively. My dad showed cattle at both the State and National levels, so we share this love of livestock. My dad is

pretty happy that I will still have livestock at home this fall, because he knows it will make me come home from K-State as often as possible! He reminds me of this daily. I hope that each of you has someone in your life that will push you like this.

I’d like to close with a saying that captures the message behind my post nearly perfectly. “Without passion, life is nothing.” Throughout my time in office I want to motivate everyone to find what they are truly passionate about and help them to turn that passion into something amazing. You never know where that passion could take you.

Until next time…

Gabryelle Gilliam

2015-2016 Kansas FFA State Sentinel