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FFA- An officer spotlight, Kaleb Wilber
By Jaylyn Packard Cherokee FFA Oklahoma Whether you are a past member of the "Future Farmers of America" or a current member of the "National FFA Organization," one fact is clear: FFA is changing the lives of everyone who passes through its doors. If you are a cattle producer, a public speaker, welder or a gardener, FFA has a place for you. The FFA experience can help build your talents and motivate your future. The Cherokee FFA Organization, along with its advisor Megan Sturgeon, is working hard to develop a program that will benefit not just one, but all students who enter the program. Kaleb Wilber is the 18-year-old son of David and Orla Wilber and the big brother to Sabrina, 13 and Grant, 9. Kaleb has lived in Cherokee, Okla., all his life. Kaleb stated, "Living in the country is the only way to grow up." Kaleb's mother says, "He has been active since he took his first breath." Kaleb's love for horses started when he was very young. Kaleb was on the back of a horse by the time he was 3 years old and started competing when he was 7. He had a slow start; shortly after turning 7, he was hit by a car, breaking his femur and tibia. Kaleb spent several months in a wheel chair and lots of time in physical therapy, but this really didn't slow him down. He was back riding and competing by the time he was 8. Kaleb knew from the first time he went to a local playday he wanted to rope. His parents knew this was a good way to tunnel all of that extra energy. Kaleb attended roping clinics and began to compete at the state level. By the time he was 10, he was crossing state lines for tougher competition. Kaleb now belongs to 10 different rodeo associations. Not only does he rope, but he now trains his own roping horses. Kaleb has 10 head of horses that he uses and has trained for his little brother and sister to also compete on. Rodeoing has become a family sport. The Wilbers may load up on Friday after school and come home Sunday night, way after the sun has gone down. Kaleb believes in the FFA motto: Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve The motto has been a great influence on the person he is today. Kaleb is the Cherokee FFA Chapter president and feels this is a great way to show leadership and serve his FFA Club and community. This year started out with getting his officer team to Alumni Camp in July and an officer retreat where they set up committees, fund raisers, community service projects, and chapter and officer goals to be carried out the 2007-2008 year. One personal goal Kaleb has is to see that every member has a SAE (supervised agriculture experience) program, no matter what it may be. Kaleb told the FFA officers and rodeo team, "Your dreams will never come true, if you don't wake up and try to make them come true." Our officer team is excited about our new agriculture education instructor, Ms Megan Sturgeon. Ms Sturgeon has sparked a new life into our chapter and she has great things planned for our FFA chapter and community; so look for us in future write-ups. Boasting a record 23,934 members in 356 Oklahoma chapters, FFA is an integral part of the agricultural education division within the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, visit http://www.okffa.org on the World Wide Web. Jaylyn Packard recently won first at the Oklahoma State Fair with this news article written about a fellow officer. Date: 12/13/07
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