On December 6, 2017 Senator Tyler Harper came and spoke to FBLA members about how he got started in politics and also some about leadership. Senator Harper told the members how proud he was that they decided to join a CTAE organization. He emphasized that even though academics are very important, after school activities are also important because they help build leadership, teamwork, and many other needed qualities.
Senator Harper talked about how he attended ABAC then went on the University of Georgia to receive a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was then fortunate enough to get a paid internship with Senator Saxby Chambliss and work on the agricultural committee. He then later, at the age of 25, ran for Senator of Georgia’s 7th senate district and was elected at age 26. He talked about his first bill he presented and how it came about to become a signed bill.
Then Senator Harper spoke about leadership and that everyone should always “Dream Big”. He quoted Henry Ford saying “If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses”, instead of dreaming of moving vehicles with four tires and doors which later became a reality. He also quoted Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do then by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.” We all need to follow this advice and try something out of our comfort zone because we never know what just might happen. Remember, leadership is not just about leading, but getting others to lead themselves.
