Being a first-generation college student already means that every step I take is a step my family never had the opportunity to take themselves. My parents didn’t have the chance to go to college, but they worked hard so I could. I took this as a chance to work for and earn a degree even earlier. I graduated high school with my associates of science. I was able to walk the stage at a college before I was even able to walk at my high school. My dad has spent his life doing whatever it took to provide for our family. He was self-employed until I was a teenager, and today he works serving as a firefighter and fights fire across the nation. My mom grew up with divorced parents, married young, and has always put our family first. She is a homemaker and now works as a victim advocate for children who have experienced sexual abuse. Neither of them had an easy path, but they never let their circumstances become an excuse. Instead, they taught me what hard work, integrity, and faith look like every single day. I haven’t always had everything handed to me, and life hasn’t always been easy. There have been moments that tested my family, but those moments are what shaped me. Watching my parents make sacrifices without complaining taught me to appreciate every opportunity I’ve been given. They have shown me that success isn’t measured by where you start yet it’s measured by the determination to keeps you going. Agriculture has always been where I feel at home. It has taught me responsibility, perseverance, and the value of serving something bigger than myself. My dream is to one day own and operate a swine genetics farm with my husband and raise our children in the same way I was raised, with faith, hard work, and a love for agriculture. I hope to leave a positive impact on the agricultural industry and be someone young people can look up to, just as I’ve looked up to those who invested in me. Earning a college degree isn’t just a personal achievement. It’s a way to honor everything my parents and grandparents have sacrificed to give me opportunities they never had. I want them to know their hard work mattered and that the values they instilled in me will continue long after I graduate. Being a first-generation college student is something I carry with me everyday. It reminds me where I came from, it motivates me to work harder every day, and it inspires me to build a future that makes my family proud while opening doors for the generations that will come after me.

My name is Emma Gillette. I am a 17 year old senior. I grew up in a small town in Texas named Comanche and we were the Comanche Indians. Growing up I was an “all sports” kid. I started tee ball when I turned three and from then on it grew. I played soccer, tee ball then turned into softball, basketball, volleyball, and even one year of flag football. Once I got older I realized softball was my sport. I started playing on a club team from the time I was nine. My family traveled the state of Texas and even Oklahoma for 7 years. We were at tournaments for my home team every other weekend and for my pick up teams on my supposed off weekends. I played for club teams like CTX Threat, Glory-All America, and Diamond Mafia. I was a catcher. I started catching at six because I was a coach's kid and had no choice but I immediately fell in love. Once my club ball got super serious I backed down from my city league teams. It was sad because I didn't get to play with the girls I grew up with anymore but I knew I was onto better and great things. During my off times I would go and help at the city league games. I got to be an umpire for teeball, 6, 8, and 10 and under. I also worked concessions, drug the fields with the tractor, ran the scoreboard, and tracked the books for teams. I loved being at the fields. My dad and I also had our Saturday softball days. Almost every Saturday we would wake up super early, go get a breakfast burrito and a Dr. Pepper, and head to the field. We would work till lunch. My dad would always find drills to make a long day of work fun. Once I moved to Montana, I backed down from softball. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. As a young high schooler, I had physical therapy three to four times a week, a strict workout program to protect my knees and shoulders, and was playing with a broken thumb. I had developed almost an unhealthy relationship with the game. I loved the game with my whole heart but I needed to flip the page and start a new chapter for my mental and physical health. I am still and super involved in the softball world. I help young athletes, and continue to watch every OU softball game (Boomer Sooner every Day). I have found ways to help this community. My dad started coaching the little and big league baseball teams and I attend practices and help with books. During the early spring, our community does Little Tiger Basketball. Myself, along with other kids I go to school with, sign up and volunteer their time. These kids are anywhere from kindergarten to fifth grade. We all get to coach a team for four weeks. It takes a lot of work and patience but knowing I am helping the future of my school is rewarding. My dad has been constant through out it all. My dad and my savior are the reason for every opportunity I have ever had. He taught me every skill I have and the importance of hardworking. Sport's have always been a huge part of my life and I hope to continue that into my future. Even though I will not be playing at the collegiate level, I hope to be able to coach league teams and help build athletes.

Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, or high school we all have teachers or aids. These teachers help by teaching the required education that the school provides. What about the teachers that do more? I personally have had a few teachers that do not just teach the curriculum but teach me how to be a better person. I call those teachers “Ms. Honey.” There is a children's movie named Matilda that is about a girl who is adopted into a family that does not take care of her nor do they care. She finally goes to school and meets her homeroom teacher. Her name is Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts seeing Matilda and how brilliant she is. She takes care of her and eventually lives with her. I believe we all have “our teacher.” Yes, that person teaches a lot of students but to you they are more than just a teacher. My teacher was my elementary and junior high math/english teacher. I went to a very small school so she taught several classes. Her name is Mrs. Hubbard. She impacted me more than she could ever imagine. Those years were a rough time for myself and my family. Some days I would come to school crying and others laughing. No matter the day or the emotion she was always there. SHe believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. At that point, there was a little spark in my heart for teaching. I am involved in our local FFA chapter. I have been taking shop and Ag classes since my freshman year. We have not had good teachers nor good resources to get what we need. My freshman and sophomore year we had two advisors. Over the summer, we received an email that was a short goodbye letter. I was stranded going into my junior year of high school and FFA. One of the moms stepped up and took all the responsibility. She takes us to every event, we have meetings every week, she finds resources and creates and takes us to practices. She stepped up when others had fallen short and our chapter is grateful. My whole life I wanted to be a large animal vet. It was not until my junior year when I realized I wanted to start teaching. I want to become an Agriculture teacher. I plan on going to Tarleton State University and earning my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education immediately after high school. I want to be what I did not have. I want to spread the love of Agriculture in students. I also want to be a “Ms. Honey” to someone. If I accomplish nothing other than helping one kid, I will feel on top of the world. All students go through hard times in school and I want to be the best teacher and person I can be by helping them.

My name is Emma Gillette. I am a 17 year old senior. I grew up in a small town in Texas named Comanche and we were the Comanche Indians. Growing up I was an “all sports” kid. I started tee ball when I turned three and from then on it grew. I played soccer, tee ball then turned into softball, basketball, volleyball, and even one year of flag football. Once I got older I realized softball was my sport. I started playing on a club team from the time I was nine. My family traveled the state of Texas and even Oklahoma for 7 years. We were at tournaments for my home team every other weekend and for my pick up teams on my supposed off weekends. I played for club teams like CTX Threat, Glory-All America, and Diamond Mafia. I was a catcher. I started catching at six because I was a coach's kid and had no choice but I immediately fell in love. Once my club ball got super serious I backed down from my city league teams. It was sad because I didn't get to play with the girls I grew up with anymore but I knew I was onto better and great things. During my off times I would go and help at the city league games. I got to be an umpire for teeball, 6, 8, and 10 and under. I also worked concessions, drug the fields with the tractor, ran the scoreboard, and tracked the books for teams. I loved being at the fields. My dad and I also had our Saturday softball days. Almost every Saturday we would wake up super early, go get a breakfast burrito and a Dr. Pepper, and head to the field. We would work till lunch. My dad would always find drills to make a long day of work fun. Once I moved to Montana, I backed down from softball. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. As a young high schooler, I had physical therapy three to four times a week, a strict workout program to protect my knees and shoulders, and was playing with a broken thumb. I had developed almost an unhealthy relationship with the game. I loved the game with my whole heart but I needed to flip the page and start a new chapter for my mental and physical health. I am still and super involved in the softball world. I help young athletes, and continue to watch every OU softball game (Boomer Sooner every Day). I have found ways to help this community. My dad started coaching the little and big league baseball teams and I attend practices and help with books. During the early spring, our community does Little Tiger Basketball. Myself, along with other kids I go to school with, sign up and volunteer their time. These kids are anywhere from kindergarten to fifth grade. We all get to coach a team for four weeks. It takes a lot of work and patience but knowing I am helping the future of my school is rewarding. My dad has been constant through out it all. My dad and my savior are the reason for every opportunity I have ever had. He taught me every skill I have and the importance of hardworking. Sport's have always been a huge part of my life and I hope to continue that into my future. Even though I will not be playing at the collegiate level, I hope to be able to coach league teams and help build athletes.

Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, or high school we all have teachers or aids. These teachers help by teaching the required education that the school provides. What about the teachers that do more? I personally have had a few teachers that do not just teach the curriculum but teach me how to be a better person. I call those teachers “Ms. Honey.” There is a children's movie named Matilda that is about a girl who is adopted into a family that does not take care of her nor do they care. She finally goes to school and meets her homeroom teacher. Her name is Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts seeing Matilda and how brilliant she is. She takes care of her and eventually lives with her. I believe we all have our own "ms. honey.” Yes, that person teaches a lot of students but to you they are more than just a teacher. My teacher was my elementary and junior high math/english teacher. I went to a very small school so she taught several classes. Her name is Mrs. Hubbard. She impacted me more than she could ever imagine. Those years were a rough time for myself and my family. Some days I would come to school crying and others laughing. No matter the day or the emotion she was always there. She believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. At that point, there was a little spark in my heart for teaching. I am involved in our local FFA chapter. I have been taking shop and Ag classes since my freshman year. We have not had good teachers nor good resources to get what we need. My freshman and sophomore year we had two advisors. Over the summer, we received an email that was a short goodbye letter. I was stranded going into my junior year of high school and FFA. One of the moms stepped up and took all the responsibility. She takes us to every event, we have meetings every week, she finds resources and creates and takes us to practices. She stepped up when others had fallen short and our chapter is grateful. My whole life I wanted to be a large animal vet. It was not until my junior year when I realized I wanted to start teaching. I want to become an Agriculture teacher. I plan on going to Tarleton State University and earning my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education immediately after high school. I want to be what I did not have. I want to spread the love of Agriculture in students. I also want to be a “Ms. Honey” to someone. If I accomplish nothing other than helping one kid, I will feel on top of the world. All students go through hard times in school and I want to be the best teacher and person I can be by helping them.

I grew up a “PK” or a pastor's kid. My father was a pastor of the Assemblies of God church in my hometown for 14 years. In that time we faced a lot but I believe the rough times made me who I am today. As I am older now I say we lived in a “glass house” I say that because I felt it. I felt like I was being watched at all times. I was forced to grow up fast. I did not get to be a kid in church. I find that a lot of people think because you are a Pastor’s kid you have to be perfect. I grew up feeling that way. I have had a strong relationship with the Lord from a very young age. As a family, we went through a very traumatic time. My relationship with God took a hit. I felt angered and resentment towards God. Over time, I got back into the word and grew my relationship. My family then moved my freshman year across the country. I felt that we “couldn’t catch a break” . I question why we had to move and leave everybody. My dad continued to tell me that we are trusting God and his plans for us. I struggled a lot when we moved. I was mad at my parents and God. I shut down to everyone and did not try to make my life here worth something. Overtime, I started joining clubs like FFA, 4H, basketball, NHS, and student council. I also started making friends. Through jackpots and stockshows I made new friends and a friend group. Through FFA, I also met a really special person. My boyfriend has helped me become a better person by helping growing my relationship with Jesus. In all, I still struggle with things in my relationship but I am trying. I know I will not be perfect but know that Jesus is sitting, always waiting for me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I will be attending Tarleton State University and will earn my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education and minor in either Agriculture Communications or Agri-Business. I will already have earned my Associates of Science so I will be a little ahead. In my high school, agriculture has not always been the most important thing. We barely have had the correctly trained people for these jobs. I want to be what I did not have and help others with their love for agriculture. I have already started my journey of helping students. On and off during the week I go and read to the elementary kids. They all go to our counselor/therapist and talk about issues or just read their favorite books. I get the honor to read to them and become their friends. I enjoy being able to walk by the classrooms or pass by at lunch and the kids come and talk to me or run to give me a hug. I also am the co-president of our FFA chapter. I get to help a little bit older kids grow their love for agriculture or spark their love for agriculture. That is what sparked my want to teach. I thought, “How fun does it sound to get to do what I love and teach it to students? I was once those kids but I have not been fully given the chance to grow due to our lack of education. I want kids to enjoy my class and what I have to offer. I want to be a light in a student's life. If I help one kid along the way that will be enough for me. I want to spread the love for agriculture in high school and junior high students. Agriculture is a major issue in our nation that is slowly becoming less and less important to our citizens. I want to show kids that they can be involved in agriculture in so many ways but I do not just want to teach agriculture. I want to spread the love of Jesus. I want to be someone the kids look up too and can go to if they need help. I think some teachers just go through the motions. I believe that if you love your job or work it is not work at all.

Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, or high school we all have teachers or aids. These teachers help by teaching the required education that the school provides. What about the teachers that do more? I personally have had a few teachers that do not just teach the curriculum but teach me how to be a better person. I call those teachers “Ms. Honey.” There is a children's movie named Matilda that is about a girl who is adopted into a family that does not take care of her nor do they care. She finally goes to school and meets her homeroom teacher. Her name is Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts seeing Matilda and how brilliant she is. She takes care of her and eventually lives with her. I believe we all have “our teacher.” Yes, that person teaches a lot of students but to you they are more than just a teacher. My teacher was my elementary and junior high math/english teacher. I went to a very small school so she taught several classes. Her name is Mrs. Hubbard. She impacted me more than she could ever imagine. Those years were a rough time for myself and my family. Some days I would come to school crying and others laughing. No matter the day or the emotion she was always there. SHe believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. At that point, there was a little spark in my heart for teaching. I am involved in our local FFA chapter. I have been taking shop and Ag classes since my freshman year. We have not had good teachers nor good resources to get what we need. My freshman and sophomore year we had two advisors. Over the summer, we received an email that was a short goodbye letter. I was stranded going into my junior year of high school and FFA. One of the moms stepped up and took all the responsibility. She takes us to every event, we have meetings every week, she finds resources and creates and takes us to practices. She stepped up when others had fallen short and our chapter is grateful. My whole life I wanted to be a large animal vet. It was not until my junior year when I realized I wanted to start teaching. I want to become an Agriculture teacher. I plan on going to Tarleton State University and earning my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education immediately after high school. I want to be what I did not have. I want to spread the love of Agriculture in students. I also want to be a “Ms. Honey” to someone. If I accomplish nothing other than helping one kid, I will feel on top of the world because I have had two people in my life who have sacrificed and helped me become the best version of myself. All students go through hard times in school and I want to be the best teacher and person I can be by helping them.

Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, or high school we all have teachers or aids. These teachers help by teaching the required education that the school provides. What about the teachers that do more? I personally have had a few teachers that do not just teach the curriculum but teach me how to be a better person. I call those teachers “Ms. Honey.” There is a children's movie named Matilda that is about a girl who is adopted into a family that does not take care of her nor do they care. She finally goes to school and meets her homeroom teacher. Her name is Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts seeing Matilda and how brilliant she is. She takes care of her and eventually lives with her. I believe we all have “our teacher.” Yes, that person teaches a lot of students but to you they are more than just a teacher. My teacher was my elementary and junior high math/english teacher. I went to a very small school so she taught several classes. Her name is Mrs. Hubbard. She impacted me more than she could ever imagine. Those years were a rough time for myself and my family. Some days I would come to school crying and others laughing. No matter the day or the emotion she was always there. SHe believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. At that point, there was a little spark in my heart for teaching. I am involved in our local FFA chapter. I have been taking shop and Ag classes since my freshman year. We have not had good teachers nor good resources to get what we need. My freshman and sophomore year we had two advisors. Over the summer, we received an email that was a short goodbye letter. I was stranded going into my junior year of high school and FFA. One of the moms stepped up and took all the responsibility. She takes us to every event, we have meetings every week, she finds resources and creates and takes us to practices. She stepped up when others had fallen short and our chapter is grateful. My whole life I wanted to be a large animal vet. It was not until my junior year when I realized I wanted to start teaching. I want to become an Agriculture teacher. I plan on going to Tarleton State University and earning my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education immediately after high school. I want to be what I did not have. I want to spread the love of Agriculture in students. I also want to be a “Ms. Honey” to someone. If I accomplish nothing other than helping one kid, I will feel on top of the world. All students go through hard times in school and I want to be the best teacher and person I can be by helping them.

Whether you are in elementary school, junior high, or high school we all have teachers or aids. These teachers help by teaching the required education that the school provides. What about the teachers that do more? I personally have had a few teachers that do not just teach the curriculum but teach me how to be a better person. I call those teachers “Ms. Honey.” There is a children's movie named Matilda that is about a girl who is adopted into a family that does not take care of her nor do they care. She finally goes to school and meets her homeroom teacher. Her name is Ms. Honey. Ms. Honey starts seeing Matilda and how brilliant she is. She takes care of her and eventually lives with her. I believe we all have “our teacher.” Yes, that person teaches a lot of students but to you they are more than just a teacher. My teacher was my elementary and junior high math/english teacher. I went to a very small school so she taught several classes. Her name is Mrs. Hubbard. She impacted me more than she could ever imagine. Those years were a rough time for myself and my family. Some days I would come to school crying and others laughing. No matter the day or the emotion she was always there. SHe believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. At that point, there was a little spark in my heart for teaching. I am involved in our local FFA chapter. I have been taking shop and Ag classes since my freshman year. We have not had good teachers nor good resources to get what we need. My freshman and sophomore year we had two advisors. Over the summer, we received an email that was a short goodbye letter. I was stranded going into my junior year of high school and FFA. One of the moms stepped up and took all the responsibility. She takes us to every event, we have meetings every week, she finds resources and creates and takes us to practices. She stepped up when others had fallen short and our chapter is grateful. My whole life I wanted to be a large animal vet. It was not until my junior year when I realized I wanted to start teaching. I want to become an Agriculture teacher. I plan on going to Tarleton State University and earning my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education immediately after high school. I want to be what I did not have. I want to spread the love of Agriculture in students. I also want to be a “Ms. Honey” to someone. If I accomplish nothing other than helping one kid, I will feel on top of the world. All students go through hard times in school and I want to be the best teacher and person I can be by helping them.

My name is Emma Gillette. I am a 17 year old senior. I grew up in a small town in Texas named Comanche. We were the Comanche Indians. I wore that with so much pride. Growing up I was an “all sports” kid. I played every sport I played. I started tee ball when I turned three and from then on it grew. I played soccer, teeball then turned into softball, basketball, volleyball, and even one year of flag football. Once I got older I realized softball was my sport. I started playing on a club team from the time I was nine. My family traveled around the state of Texas and even Oklahoma for 6 years. We were at tournaments for my home team every other weekend and for my pick up teams on my supposed off weekends. I played for club teams like CTX Threat, Glory-All America, and Diamond Mafia. I was a catcher and I loved it. I started catching at six because I was a coach's kid and had no choice but I immediately fell in love. Once my club ball got super serious I backed down from my city league teams. It was said because I didn't get to play with the girls I grew up with anymore but I knew I was onto better and great things. At one point. I was catching 8-10 games a weekend with no skilled backup catcher. It was very difficult but I did it. During my off times I would go and help at the city league games. I got to be an umpire for teeball, 6 and under, 8 and under, and 10 and under. I also worked concession, drug fields with the small tractor, ran the scoreboard, and tracked the books for teams. It was a lot but I enjoyed it. I loved being at the fields. My dad and I also had our Saturday field days. Every Saturday we could, we would wake up super early, go get a breakfast burrito and a Dr. Pepper, and head to the field. We would work till lunch. My dad would always find drills to make a long day of work fun. Once I moved to Montana I tried to find ways to help this community. My dad started coaching the little and big league baseball teams and I would attend practices and help with books. During the early spring, our community does Little Tiger Basketball. Myself, along with other kids I go to school with, sign up and volunteer their time. These kids are anywhere from kindergarten to fifth grade. We all get to coach a team for four weeks. It takes a lot of work and patience but knowing I am helping the future of my school is rewarding.

I believe the teachers that make a lasting impact on students are teachers who teach more than just the curriculum. They do more than stand at the front and talk. They are involved with the students and care about them. These teachers often change students' lives. I hope to do that one day. I want to earn my Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education. I will already have earned my Associates of Science so I will be a little ahead. In my high school, agriculture has not always been the most important thing. We barely have had good teachers or even advisors. I want to be what I did not have and help others with their love for agriculture. I have already started my journey of helping students. On and off during the week I go and read to the elementary kids. They all go to our counselor/therapist and talk about issues or just read their favorite books. I get the honor to read to them and become their friends. I enjoy being able to walk by the classrooms or pass by at lunch and the kids come and talk to me or run to give me a hug. I also am the co-president of our FFA chapter. I get to help a little bit older kids grow their love for agriculture or spark their love for agriculture. That is what sparked my want to teach. I thought, “How fun does it sound to get to do what I love and teach it to kids? I was once those kids but I have not been fully given the chance to grow due to our lack of education. I also babysit. Babysitting might not be as school related but in my opinion it is still helping kids. I get to hangout with two little boys ages six and three. I have been babysitting them since the youngest was just a newborn and the older one just turned three. Over the years I have seen them grow and become the funniest and craziest little kids. We go on bike rides, go to the park, or I teach the little boy basic things he will learn in school. We have most recently been working on his ABCs. It is a sad thing that they might not remember all of this when they are older but I know that I have always been here for those boys. In my future of education, I want kids to enjoy my class and what I have to offer. I want to be a light in a student's life. If I help one kid along the way that will be enough for me. I want to spread the love for agriculture in high school and junior high students. I do not just want to teach agriculture. I want to spread the love of Jesus. I want to be more than a teacher. I want to be someone the kids look up too and can go to if they need help. I think some teachers just go through the motions. I never want to do that. I want to be an “outside of the box” teacher. It is something I know I will love. I believe that if you love your job or work it is not work at all.