As you know, my name is Kathryn. I am a junior at Illinois State University, and my major is Agriculture Education with a minor in Geography. I have grown up and still live in the same house on a small grain farm outside of Bloomington-Normal, IL for my entire 20 (soon to be 21 years). Agriculture has been in my blood since birth, and in my heart since the first time I sat in the combine with my grandfather when I was almost 1 year old. My maternal grandparents are my neighbors, and my house is on part of their ~77 acres. My grandfather also farms another 300+ acres. I am what he likes to call the "hired" help, in other words I drive the truck with grain wagons to the elevator and back during harvest season. I do other miscellaneous jobs the rest of the year. When I am not working with my Gramps during harvest season I am usually working at one of the local elevators (Evergreen FS’s Yuton or Kerrick).
I love spending time with my Gramps, he has taught me so much, and I treasure every opportinuty I have to spend time with him just "watching the corn grow", haha. If I have learned anything from him it is the importance of kindness to everyone you meet, and that the only good tractors are ORANGE. I have my own 1979, 7080. I feel that family is the most important thing in my life. I currently live at home with my mom and younger, but not shorter, 17 year old brother. I also have an older sister who is married and lives in Ohio. She has two adorable sons that I do not get to see nearly enough. My mom’s family has been living and farming in the area for too many years to count, and I often find myself referring to my mother’s maiden name, Denzer, when trying to explain just who I am.
During school I was actively involved in 4-H and FFA, and that is what has helped give me the desire to be an agriculture educator. I was a member of the Ardent Tiller’s 4-H club for 11 year, and I am currently one of the club's leaders. I am still actively involved with the Mclean County Extension as State Fair Superintendent. I was also a member of the Normal FFA Chapter, where I held office as Junior Advisor, Reporter, and Treasure. I was activley involved at the section level, serving as the Section 9 FFA Treasurer and Vice President. Then during my freshman year in college I served on the 2008-2009 Illinois Association State FFA Officer Team, as the Section 9 FFA President. In high school I was also very active in Speech, Drama Club, and my local church youth group.
I graduated high school a semester early in December of 2007 and spent a few weeks in the Gulf Coast doing relief work after Hurricane Katrina. When I returned I get a job at the Mclean County Clerk’s Office, where I have worked off and on since then. In the fall of 2008 I spent my freshman year at Black Hawk Community College, East Campus in Kewanee, Illinois. Due to family circumstances I decided to transfer to Illinois State University after only on year at Black Hawk.
Although I said I would never live at home and attend ISU, I am very happy with the decision I made. I have had great professors and have been given many great opportunities. Last year I served as the Colligate FFA secretary and participated in many PAS (Post-secondary Agriculture Student Organization) events. I won the prepared public speaking contest at State PAS Conference, and was able to compete at the national level, placing 6th. I am currently serving as the ISU CFFA treasurer. I also serve as the Heartland FFA Alumni Secretary.
If there is anything else you need to know about me it is that I absolutely LOVE birthdays whether it’s mine, yours, or a total strangers I could care less. So, PLEASE don't forget it's NOVEMBER 1ST, 1989...
