Legacy – a word that means different things to many people.  Some believe that legacy means how memorable someone is.  Memorable could mean repelling from a helicopter during your retiring address at State Convention.  Others see legacy as an inheritance that is given from one generation to the next.  Or many will agree with Webster’s Definition of legacy: “something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past.”  Now this “something” may be a family heirloom, it may be a book of knowledge, or maybe it is a teaching.  A teaching on how to live life by the example set forth by past generations, an example or a legacy. 

Our life is constantly influenced by the past.  The efforts of great leaders shaped our world.  The great work ethic of our ancestors helped to create a prosperous land.  The legacies left by many have driven us to excel.  These next stories are examples of legacies that impacted many. 

The Lion King, a musical based on following the legacy created by past generations.  Simba, the son of King Mufasa, couldn’t wait to be king.  Even though he lacked experience, vision, or skill, Simba believed he was ready to be king, even as a young cub.  He impatiently learned about the “Circle of Life” and his home, the Pride Lands.  It would take the death of his father and support of his good friends, Timon, Pumba, and Nala to push him to create his own legacy and be inspired by the impact his father had made.  It took many years for Simba to realize that his father, King Mufasa, lived in him. 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  I have a dream today.”  These timeless words were produced by the mind of a visionary.  Yes, very few people in 1963 could have ever imagined that someday America would not be separated by race, but instead connected by a common belief in democracy.  Few people had the drive and passion, to speak out against something that was so unjust.  Few people could stand a mere 5’6” and yet speak with the force and conviction that would change America.  No, only one man, Martin Luther King, Jr., could create a legacy that would shape the future of this great Nation.  A nation where people are now free, free to live, free to speak, free to create and inspire others.  Martin Luther King, Jr. lives in me. 
 
Sometimes simple words serve as the inspiration for creating a legacy.  Three simple words inspired the legacy of a great author, those three words were: future, farmers, America.  Those three words inspired Erwin Milton Tiffany to pen the FFA Creed at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  EM Tiffany said that those three words had enough inspiration to call for the “highest hopes, deepest concern, profoundest regard, the strongest determination” to carry on the ideals of rural life.  If Tiffany would have only known that his two simple words: “I believe,” would become the inspiration for all future FFA members.  EM Tiffany lives in all of us. 

The legacies of these three people have impacted our lives, but how do we create a legacy that will impact future generations?

Creating a legacy is no easy feat; it requires time and dedication.  Although this task may seem overwhelming, there are four key points to keep in mind when creating our legacy. 

First, do something well. For many of us here today, we are connected by these blue corduroy jackets.  We are connected by a common belief in the future of agriculture.  We are connected by a competitive mindset, to conquer the many FFA competitions.  If we desire to have a legacy in the FFA, we all must find a niche.  We must specialize and give great attention to a certain area wheter it be CDE’s, SAE’s, or leadership.  My niche was leadership. 

I have dedicated my life to refining myself as a leader.  This refinement is gained by reading books, different blogs, and just leading.  I have been given the great honor to lead all of you.  At times, it is hard to believe that the choices I make can impact close to 18,000 people.   The scary part, is the fact that this impact can be both positive and negative.  I have pushed our team and this Association to look at Wisconsin FFA as a business.  How can we utilize business ideals and techniques to streamline operations and spend our money in a fiscally responsible manner.  Have all of my ideas been loved, no; but I know I tried to impact your life, through my legacy of leadership. 

Second, keep your relationships strong.  Friends and family are critical to all of us.  I can recall a time during high school when I told my friends that I couldn’t wait to find new friends at college.  I was so wrong.  It is because of my friends that I am here today.  They have supported me in all that I do.  Whether it was understanding my busy schedule, listening to my speeches, or constantly seeing FFA everywhere, they have allowed me to begin creating my legacy.  I am so thankful that we have kept our relationships strong and thank you all for being here and supporting me today.  It is critical that we all stay connected with our friends and peers. 

Even worse than weakening our relationship with friends, is weakening our relationship with family.  My family is unique; we are connected by blood and marriage.  Yes, my family is made up of wholes, halves, and steps.  Although we are unique, we struggle like every family does to commuicate and stay connected.  There is about 30 years that separate my oldest sister Kerri from my youngest sister Reagan.  This large age range makes commuication difficult, because we are all in drastically different stages of our life.  Reagan is worrying about her chapstick, where Kerri is focused on raising her daughter Kinzie and paying the mortgage. 

Although we are at different stages in life, we all can agree that family is our true support network.  When you go home today, please reconnect with your parents and siblings.  Talk to each of them, ask how they have been, ask if there is any way for you to help, most importantly…just listen.  It takes a good listener to keep your relationships strong with friends and family. 

Third, remember that your legacy is not about how much money you gave or what you own, this all fades with time.  The legacy is about you.  It is about how you have impacted the lives of others. 

I have met many amazing FFA members over my career.  However, one member has always stuck out in my mind.  Becky may appear to be an average FFA member, that is until you hear about her passion for helping individuals with Cystic Fibrosis.  Becky was inspired by two sisters, Emily and Jessica, who both have Cystic Fibrosis.  Instead of just providing empathy for their illness, Becky chose to act.  She created Becky’s CF Bakery where she sells baked goods to fellow students at Lodi High School.  Over the past three years Becky has donated $4000 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  But it isn’t just the money that has changed lives, it’s her dedication and passion to impact others, that has created her legacy.  Becky, thousands of people with Cystic Fibrosis live in you. 

Fourth, It is never too late to start.  Today is the day, to write the first chapter of your legacy. I mean it!  When you get home this afternoon sit down at your desk, like EM Tiffany did many years ago, and begin to write out the framework of your legacy. Start thinking about what legacy you can leave behind.  What do you do well?  How can you keep your relationships strong?  How will you make an impact on the lives of others.  We can’t just sit here with our arms crossed, we must put the pen to paper and lead the world as many have done before us.  Our legacy will be inspired by our heroes. 

We all have a hero.  For some a comic book legend such as Superman or Batman may come to mind.  For others, great leaders of the world may be pressing our brain; leaders such as Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, or Gandhi; leaders that had a positive impact on countless lives. But even more importantly, there are those names, humble names, everyday names of people that have made a personal impact on our lives.  Those names may include your best friend Paul, your Grandpa Bill, or your team captain Sally.  These everyday common names are connected to individuals that have created a legacy and these everyday heroes may have impacted your life. 

Evan Lewis – For those of you that attended Half-Time Conference, you may recall this name.  On the evening of Wednesday, December 2nd, I was headed back to my apartment after finishing some laundry at my house.  All I could think about was trying to get there in time to see Glee.  On my way to Madison, I noticed there was an accident, I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened, but it appeared to be very serious.  I remember turning down my music, saying a short prayer, and then continuing on as usual.  When I got to my apartment, I wasn’t instantly greeted by my best friend Josh.  He had stepped into our room to take a phone call. 

When Josh returned to the living room, he just wasn’t the same.  I could tell the conversation wasn’t expected, but I had no clue what was said or what was wrong.  A short time later, Josh left in silence.  It turns out the phone conversation was not positive at all.  In fact, Josh had been given terrible news; he heard that his cousin, Evan Lewis, only 16, had been killed in an accident.  It was Evan’s wreck that I passed, it was Evan’s life that had been lost, but it was Evan’s legacy that would stay alive. 

Evan was one that kept to himself.  Evan was dedicated to his passion of skateboarding.  If he wasn’t grinding a rail or free styling, Evan was working on designing his apparel line.  Evan like all of us, wasn’t perfect.  He had made mistakes like all of us have.  But these mistakes didn’t slow him down.  He found his passion, strengthened his relationships, impacted lives, and created his legacy.  Now Evan’s friends and family wear his apparel and are working to build a skate park in his memory.  Josh, Evan lives in you.

Grandpa Clifford Hartmann- My grandpa Hartmann was a great man.  Like so many Grandparents, my grandpa was dedicated to his family.  He was an entrepreneur, a great motivator, and a great cook.  Whether Grandpa was running dragline, the dozer, selling John Deere tractors, or delivering flowers from our family’s floral shop, he was motivated to support and impact the next generation. 

It was my Grandpa that inspired me to be a self starter.  It was my Grandpa that praised all of my construction projects, even when things were not even or level.  He would always say, “BJ, remember we ain’t building no church.”  It was my grandpa that saw me, for me.  He didn’t see my husky stature, big glasses, or annoying questions.  He saw a young boy that had a bright future.  I can remember Grandpa sitting next to me, eating a circus peanut, and just telling me how great I was.  To this day I don’t miss eating his circus peanuts, but I do miss his support.  My grandpa’s legacy impacts me each and every day.  His entrepreneurial mindset pushes me to envision the next big project.  My Grandpa lives in me. 

Matt Anderson- A name that rings a bell to many of you.  To all of us, Matt was our State President.  He led this Association with a contagious smile, an amazing personality, and reminded us to cherish the memories.  To me, Matt was my peer, my Chapter President, my role model.    I can remember back to the days Matt helped me with my show animals at the Sauk County Fair or when he motivated me to become active in the FFA.  Matt impacted my life in so many ways and I am proud that he was able to share his legacy with so many of you.  We can all agree that Matt was taken away from us too quickly; he had so much more of himself to give.  Although Matt isn’t here in person, his legacy lives on.  The many gold bells he gave out while State President, still lay in the jackets of many FFA members.  His wit and charm encouraged many of us to break free from our shell.  To this day, Matt has an important job of looking over all of us.  It is a thankless job, but I know Matt accepted it with a smile.  Wisconsin FFA, Matt Anderson lives in all of us. 
 
We all have the ability to impact the future, just as these individuals and past generations have impacted us.   Today is the day to create our very own legacy.  We all have been shaped by our mentors, our role models, our heroes.  Let's create our legacy by living out the legacies that have impacted us. All we need to remember is that...

"He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you."

Wisconsin FFA, he lives in you. 
 

BJ Chrisler 
2009-2010 State President
Wisconsin Association of FFA
 

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