Sentinel

Carley Cotner

Sentinel

Stationed by the door

Fast Facts

  • Age: 17
  • Birthday: July 13, 1994
  • Advisors: Mr. Nutter
  • SAE: Food Science and Technology Placement
  • Future Plans: Continue my career with the Illinois Army National Guard, and attend college majoring in culinary arts.
  • Favorite Color: Green
  • Favorite Animal: Elephant
  • Favorite CDE: Forestry
  • Quote: "Never lose your flames." - Tyler Carter
  • Hobbies: Going to concerts and music festivals

Why did you join FFA?

I joined FFA mostly because of the encouragement from former President, Kelsey Graber.  I also wanted to have a new group of friends starting out my freshman year.  I knew that joining FFA would get me involved with a new crowd, and hopefully I would come to gain new friends.  I''ve accomplished just that.  I have met many new people through CDE''s and various events.  These friendships are some that will last me throughout the short remainder of my high school career, and beyond.  Another reason I chose to join FFA was because it was a choice that most people didn''t expect from me.  I thought that if I took an ag class and enjoyed it a lot, I could help recruit new members and show them that ag isn''t just sows, cows, and plows.

What has been your most challenging FFA experience?

My most challenging FFA experience was having fellow members not take me seriously during my year as a greenhand.  I have gotten questioned as to what I am doing in an ag class.  My response was always the same, "I''m in an ag class because I want to learn more about agriculture. What else would I be doing?"  Sure, people will try to stick with the label that only men, or those who have grown up on a farm should be taking an ag based course, but I''m an intercity girl enjoying and learning from this class.  With the CDEs that I have helped at, and participated in, I have gained respect from the members in my chapter, as well as from members of other chapters and sections.

Who has had the greatest impact on your life?

I can''t say that one specific person has the greatest impact on my life.  My friends and family members all impact me, and as a whole have contributed to shape me into who I am today.  My sister, Casey Cotner, has helped me through rough patches multiple times.  When I don''t feel comfortable consulting my friends about something, I can always turn to my big sister for help.  My grandmother, Barbara Ferguson, passed away over six years ago, but I still consider her to play a huge role in my life.  My grandma taught me a lot in the short amount of time that she was with us, and I will never forget her bubbly personality.

If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

If I had a million dollars, I would try to put it to good use.  I would donate half of the money to the Love146. Love146 is a non-profit organization that works toward the abolition of child exploitation and sex trafficking. I have been working with the organization since August of 2009, and am even a part of the Central Illinois Taskforce.  With the remaining money, I would put it toward a house since I will be attending college for free.

What is your favorite thing about ag and FFA so far?

Chosing one aspect of FFA to be my favorite was always a tough task until summer of 2010.  In June, 2010, I boarded a charter bus with fellow Heyworth FFA officer team member, Megan Bloemer, and we set out for our country''s capitol.  Washington Leadership Conference really was a life altering experience.  I learned so much not only about our country, but about our world.  The FFA experience as a whole has been amazing, and I wouldn''t trade it for anything!


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