Katie Morrison

Katie Morrison (left) has followed along in the footsteps of her sister Allison in Powell Shoshone FFA.

Courtesy photo

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I began my time in the local FFA chapter at a younger age than most kids. Our local chapter held livestock judging practices at least once a week. The ag teacher at the time always allowed for my sister Allison to drag her pesky younger sister along. This was my first look into the program. I loved being a part of the lives of the older kids and getting to watch them gain more knowledge about livestock. But my favorite part was watching my sister fall in love with the FFA program and the sport of livestock judging.

Allison spent all four years livestock judging for Powell Shoshone FFA, but she also showed market lambs, as well as market swine, alongside me. We spent most summers in the barn together grooming our livestock and training them to perform the way we desired. These were some of my favorite moments with my sister. She pushed me to do bigger things, but also taught me to take pride in my projects. We also learned how to bicker quite a bit when we spent lots of time together. Still though, I will never forget the moments that brought me closer to my sister and gave her the title she has today: best friend.

She has now gone on to be a livestock judge at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, where she is getting to experience some very remarkable things. I call her often to see where she and her judging team are running off to, for they are always on the move. While growing up sucks, and I know that I will never get to experience these long nights in the barn again, I am truly proud of the person my sister is growing up to be.

While Allison has grown up and moved out, she still has a small piece of the Powell Shoshone FFA with her wherever she goes. As a matter of fact, I am proud to say my sister just earned her American Degree, an award that has taken her years to earn. This process begins with the Greenhand Degree, then the Chapter Degree, then the State Degree, and now she has the last award — the American Degree, the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization showing the total and complete dedication of the member. My mom and sister will soon travel to the National FFA Convention in Indianpolis for her to receive this final token of her hard work and the first time in seven years this award has been received by someone from Powell Shoshone.

I am very proud of my sister, and while I miss our daily adventures, or sometimes arguments, I will always be proud of who she’s becoming.