Growing a Better Future by Ethan

Growing a Better Future by Ethan - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

As I can remember, I've always been fascinated with how a single seed can grow into something beautiful if handled with the proper care. This passion of mine would soon grow into something greater than I could have imagined. As I became older, I soon became aware of opportunities that could improve my small community. Filling these needs combined two of my greatest passions: horticulture and serving others.

With eagerness, I started a landscape improvement service. I have never considered this to solely be a job, but a way for me to better familiarize myself with the great people of my community. This project is not a job but also a means to assisting elderly to maintain their yards. I have developed endurance, often in less than ideal summer weather extremes. By having persevered, I have learned pride in a job well done.

Public relations is my favorite part of landscaping and is a crucial aspect to the success of my company. Working individually with my customers allows me to remain on the same page as what they are envisioning for their property. A leadership trait I have had to possess is putting plants, not people, in place. In order to keep my customer base, I have to be responsible. I kept my word and gave my best to each job. I am committed, compassionate to my elderly customers, and understanding they are on fixed incomes.

I have even been able to share my passion with the youth. This past year I served as the lead presenter for the Lawn Equipment Safety demonstration at the Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day, which reached 250 students. This is an excellent opportunity to educate youth about the importance of safety in the agricultural industry.

These experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. Fascinated with the outside and horticulture, I decided to enroll into a natural resources class. I soon discovered an opportunity to compete with the experiences I have created through my landscaping service. My teacher informed me we could compile my records and enterprises into a landscape management proficiency application. I immediately started preparing my application. After several months and long nights of working on it, I was ready to submit my landscaping business into the state competition. A panel of judges graded all of the applications following a rubric. A month after submitting my proficiency, I was notified that I was a state finalist. I could not belief it! I was going to get to compete against the other top two proficiency competitors in that state. I attended the state convention where they announce the winner of each proficiency division that will advance to compete on the national level. After a day of attending the convention, the big moment finally arrived. I went to a banquet with the other competitors and we immediately went to the state stage. I remember standing on stage looking out into the sea of blue corduroy jackets that represented what it meant to be part of the National Future Farmers of America Organization. I stood in front of my peers as they announced the winner of the Landscape Management Proficiency division. I could feel my heart pounding throughout my body. They announced third place. It wasn’t me. Then second place was announced. It wasn’t me. Finally first place was announced and they called my name. I was taken aback. I was a state champion. I had never been more excited in my life until I won nationals in this same event six months later.