My FFAmily

Exactly three months and ten days ago I was elected Kansas FFA State Secretary and man has time flown by. These three months have been filled with new opportunities, countless new friends, and the joining of six friends who have become more like family.  In fact, let me describe to  you what I have learned about these amazing individuals.

Growing up in the same town as Karl and going to the same chapter with him, you could say we were already like family. We have been friends for years and hang out on a regular basis. Bailey, on the other hand, is the one person on the team that I didn’t get to know extremely well in the interview process, but in past three months I have found that she is one of the hardest working and kindhearted people I know. I also learned she is absolutely obsessed with cats and dogs. Lane has been a great person to build a friendship with. He is always looking for new people to create and sustain relationships with, which I believe is truly important in a friend. Kyler Langvardt is always thinking of something that we can do to make our team or any situation better. He is credited with editing and creating all of our videos, and he is hilarious at night when he becomes tired. Last, but certainly not least, is Gabryelle. This girl is fun to work with and makes every situation we have as a team a blast. We also are awesome at dueting any song together.

Working and spending time with these 5 individuals has made my life so much more interesting and enjoyable. I have to admit sometimes we are enjoying each others company so much that we don’t accomplish our work in the most efficient way. I can assure you though, that Kansas FFA is in good hands because the State Officer team has a passion for our members and we work together as a family to share that passion.

Now that I have explained how agriawesome, my teammates, let me tell you a little about myself. I have two amazing parents, Dennis and Eunice, and one wonderful brother, Dillon. My father works for the City of Holton Water Department and also farms. My mother is a 6th and 7th grade Special Education Teacher in Holton, and my brother just graduated from KU medical center this spring with a degree in Health Information Management.

I first joined FFA because my older brother was in it, but the first part of FFA that got me hooked was the FFA Creed. Studying those five paragraphs is what ignited my passion for FFA and I still love discussing the Creed today. My proudest accomplishment in FFA would be being on the 2014 Champion Horse Judging Team at National Convention. My favorite SAE would be my small cow/calf operation. In this operation I run nine pairs and one bull on a rotational grazing system. My ultimate goal is to have a registered Angus and SimAngus herd.

My favorite sport in high school was football, but I had terrible hand-eye coordination so I never got to touch the ball. Instead, I was an offensive guard and easily the smallest lineman on the team.  I was also actively involved in FCA, Student Council, the Jackson County Youth Coalition, Golf, and I enjoyed volunteering at the Heart of Jackson Humane Society. Other than FFA, my all time favorite organization has been 4-H. I love showing cattle and hogs at the county fair, and I was ecstatic to experience showing at Jackson County’s brand new fairgrounds.

As we wrap up, keep in mind that the relationships we build in FFA and other organizations can lead to friendships that last a life time, and some friends that become more like family.

Czech All Out

              This spring break, many of my friends were leaving Kansas to go to Colorado, Mexico, or Florida. I, however, was headed to Cuba. Yes, Cuba—Cuba, Kansas. Growing up in my hometown is definitely much more of a blessing than a curse. Ironically enough, Cuba is only about 20 miles away from Washington and is in the Republic (County, that is). I do live a mile away from Cuba, but there will never be a community that is closer to my heart. Cuba was founded by predominantly Czech immigrants. Cuba, Kansas is a small community of only 150 people.  We may be small, but we are mighty. A sign reading "Czech Us Out" greets the travelers of 36 highway as they pass.  Cuba has been featured twice in National Geographic and once on CBS Sunday Morning. I stole my first piece of bubble gum from The Cuba Cash Store, and I shortly after learned that thievery was wrong (after my mother found out, I personally paid the store owner and admitted my fault). I established a faith in God at the Cuba Presbyterian Church. I was developed into a man in Cuba, Kansas.

Every year the community of Cuba, comes together to celebrate the Cuba Rock-a-thon. Despite the name, the Rock-a-thon is not the largest Rock and Roll festival in North Central Kansas. Forty year ago, the Rock-a-thon began in the local laundry mat with a single rocking chair. The Rock-a-thon has raised over $547,000 for community improvements for Cuba. For a week, the Rock-a-thon provides meals, informational and comical entertainment, community cooperation, and 318 hours of continuous chair rocking. Whether one is five years old or 105, members of the community always look forward to rocking in those sacred chairs. Although, it’s not the rocking in the chairs that everybody gets so excited about annually. The rocking is just a symbol and a small part of the tradition of devotion and love for the community.

              During this year’s Rock-a-thon, I definitely gained a greater appreciation for my community. The thing about Cuba, though, is that we aren't anything special. Much like any great community, it’s not the buildings, great streets, or job opportunity that make Cuba amazing, but it’s the people. We are just a community who cares. If it wasn't for the support through the community, I can firmly say that I would have never even considered running for state office. Rural communities provide valuable experiences that are unique from urban areas.

              During my travel to South Africa, one of the most valuable pieces of information I took away occurred while visiting the Kliptown Youth Project. Kliptown is a small village outside of Johannesburg and is one of the most poverty stricken areas of South Africa. Even though they may not have a lot and even struggle to obtain the bare essentials, they urged the 75 American State FFA Officers to not feel sorry for them. They have each other, and that is stronger than any monetary or gift donation that can be given. Finally, they insisted that instead of returning to Kliptown to assist their development that we should return home and impact our communities first.

             We all come from a community—a community that cares about us and has molded us into who we are today.  Take time to identify those individuals in your life. If you want to see what your future holds, look at your five closest friends—your community. If those individuals have high integrity, are successful, and caring, then you are more likely to have those qualities. However, if those people are unmotivated, inconsiderate, and selfish, I encourage you to consider some challenging decisions in your life. More than anything, provide that community for others. I will never be able to have the impact on Cuba that it’s had on me, but I will sure give it my best effort. Whether your community is in rural Kansas, New York City, or just your closest friends, identify those individuals and thank them. Finally, spend purposeful time strengthening and "Czeching out" your community.

Words, Words, Words

              With the conclusion of 2014, I can say without regrets that it was my greatest year yet. The conclusion of high school brought sorrow, but opened the door to opportunity. Just beyond high school graduation, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve the Kansas FFA Association. Then, attending Kansas State University was a new path for me. New schedules, new priorities, and new relationships developed. Among all of that, the biggest burden that I faced was the realization and independence of purchasing Christmas gifts for friends and family. Christmas is expensive. There is no way around it. This year my wallet took the biggest hit it has ever taken during the Christmas Season. Though, this increase in spending is because I have more people in my life that care about me. I believed that the way to express my gratitude was show it by the dollars I spent. However, the most valuable gift I received this holiday season cost no money at all.

              Every year, all 31 members of the Hadachek family participate in a secret Santa gift exchange. Before each individual opens their gift, their “Santa” is required to say something about the recipient of the gift. Most of the comments made are jokes or funny memories, so I expected the same when it came my turn. I had suggested that my Santa get me a heavy duty water bottle for my trip to South Africa and many long walks on campus. Granted, I received the water bottle that I asked for, but as you can guess, the water bottle isn't what this story is about. My uncle, a former State FFA Officer, had drawn my name. Before opening my gift, he told me how proud he was of what I have accomplished, and it has been exciting watching me grow.

              We underestimate the power we have with words, positive or negative. With every new relationship I have formed, the conversations are what have strengthened the bond. Through every interaction I have had with Kansas FFA members, it is the stories that make each of them unique. There is a reason that leadership conferences hire professional speakers. Those stories inspire us to exceed our own expectations. Finally, words give purpose to the work that we do.

 “With great power comes great responsibility.”  This principal holds true in every situation. There are so many misinterpretations within the world today. Each one of those misinterpretations start with a small error of words. We must be cautious with comments towards others. Several sarcastic, rude, or unwary words can ruin a person’s day and discourage them. Likewise, our words, when used properly, can be a needed apology, and expression of gratitude, or a light in someone’s dark world.

For your New Year’s resolution, I leave you with a challenge. When you interact with friends, ensure that your conversation is constructive. Gain courage to mend relationships that may be broken. Before posting on social media, ponder over the meaning of the post in your drafts for an hour, read it to your mother, and if the message is still necessary and purposeful, post it. Tell your parents or guardians that you love them. Ask your grandparents about their life. Read a book. We have so much to learn from others, and words are the key to unlocking that potential.