Hometown: Grottoes, VA

School: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Major / Species: Applied Economic Management with minor in Animal and Poultry Sciences and Leadership and Social Change

Career Goals: The great Michael Jordan once said, “The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.” This dedication and determination that Michael Jordan is talking about, are the driving forces to help me strive to achieve all of my goals, no matter how small or large. One of my major goals in life is to encourage the promotion of youth agriculture education, in all areas including rural, suburban and urban. In order to reach this goal, I understand that I need to have a few sub-goals, some of which are academic and some are career related, both of which relate to one another and to the major goal. I have an academic goal to improve my knowledge of agriculture daily, here at Virginia Tech I am provided the opportunity, resources and assistance to continue to fulfill this goal. My career goal, no matter what part of the agriculture industry that I end up in, is to do my best to continue learning daily and further more being able to teach daily. Whether this be in a position or community outreach in the poultry industry, an agriculture educator position or an extension agent, I hope to do my best to help others understand what we do as agriculturist and why. I realize that this sounds picture perfect and easy and I am fully aware that it is and it will not be; however by continuing to learn and take part and experience, I am setting the stones every day to build the bridge closer and closer to my major goal. I understand that there will be ups and downs and that it will take time but am I appreciative of the knowledge and experiences gained and ultimately the support to continue to work toward accomplishing my goal.