Senior to study animal science at Kansas State University
High Plains senior Esperanza Lesiak has spent a large chunk of her life riding and caring for her horses at home.
That, along with her overwhelmingly positive experience through FFA has provided her a dream opportunity to study animal science at Kansas State University after graduation in May. For the next few months, though, Lesiak is relishing her experience as HPC’s FFA president.
Growing up, Lesiak spent a lot of time on the family farm near Clarks helping raise horses. It’s what she’s always been most comfortable with.
“I remember getting put on a horse the first time when I was really little,” she said. “That’s just what we grew up doing was riding horses and also helping to breed them.”
Over the years, Lesiak became more involved with the ins and outs of taking care of the family horses, discovering a passion for working with veterinarians and ultrasounds to check for pregnancy.
As Lesiak moved into high school at High Plains, her initial interest in joining the FFA program was to learn more about agriculture as a whole while also getting a chance to work with the animals the school currently has in the program, including goats, sheep and, yes, a horse.
“I remember Mr. (Tom) Hofmann always giving us the opportunity to try things,” Lesiak recalled. “Yes, he’s hard on you but that’s because he knows your potential and how you can succeed in the future. Him pushing me to go out for FFA was great because I’ve had a lot of successes.”
As Lesiak became more involved with HPC’s FFA program and was initiated into the leadership team, she earned the opportunity to attend a leadership conference during the summer of 2022 in Washington, D.C.
There, Lesiak and two other HPC FFA members got the grand tour of all the monument areas while working together in groups to develop leadership skills. Not only that, but Lesiak was provided the chance to meet and chat with Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer.
“That was a great experience for me to develop my leadership qualities,” Lesiak said. “I enjoyed getting to meet Fischer and just learn more about what her position is and what she does.”
Lesiak has also been involved with NAYI, or Nebraska Agriculture Youth Institute, which also provided her with more insight into potential agriculture careers and leadership qualities.
As far as her desire to become involved with HPC’s FFA leadership team, it’s something Lesiak was interested in almost right away.
“Being a leader is something I enjoy,” she said. “It was just a perfect fit. I like being able to help my friends and peers learn more about agriculture. There are so many opportunities you can have through FFA and meeting new people.”
In her junior year Lesiak served as HPC’s FFA secretary and had her sights set on becoming the president for the 2023-24 school year.
Lesiak recalled the interview process last spring to vie for the president position and remembers being very nervous beforehand. However, she added the actual interview was easy because of her preparedness for the questions at hand.
While involved in multiple other activities and sports at High Plains, Lesiak noted the FFA activities this year have had extra meaning, getting to do several things for the last time.
“It’s been amazing so far,” she said. “A lot of things look good on a resume but it’s a lot of fun at the same time.”
Lesiak also mentioned attending the national FFA Convention in Indianapolis as something to look forward to and a highlight moment of her high school years with other kids from around the nation.
“Getting to watch others walk across the stage to get their American (Degree) and being able to strive for that goal for yourself,” Lesiak added. “There’s so much to do.”
As far as her day-to-day duties as HPC’s FFA president, Lesiak mentioned learning simple things like planning meetings and getting her peers involved as biggest learning moments.
“You never know if kids will show up or not,” she said, laughing. “Usually, you have to bring food.”
She’s enjoyed running FFA meetings, but added the leadership team works well together so she’s really not doing anything alone.
Lesiak shared high praise for her adviser, Tom Hofmann, the person who initially pushed so hard for her to give FFA a shot.
“He’s an amazing adviser because he gives you those opportunities and pushes you to be better,” she said. “He wants you to be who you are and go for your dreams. He’s helped me a lot with that.”
Lesiak noted there’s still plenty to do before the end of the school year, including ELAs, helping birth goats sometime soon and getting the school horse back in riding order.
Those opportunities with live animals just behind the high school have provided a unique glimpse for Lesiak and helped affirm her dreams of a career in animal science.
“I’ve gotten out of school before to go with animals to the vet and also help with a C-section birth with one of the goats,” Lesiak commented. “For us to have the animals and stuff we do is pretty cool.”
During her time in FFA, Lesiak has enjoyed all of her experiences and having those moments with her friends. Her pitch to anyone thinking about the FFA program is to give it a shot because it’s a lot more than just agriculture.
“I would want anyone to join FFA because you get all the opportunities to expand on your communication and leadership skills,” Lesiak finished. “It’s a lot about agriculture, but there’s so much more to it.”