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KIDS WHO CARE
Addison Lindsey
Sarah Rein
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
IS CREDITED WITH THE
SAYING, “I AM WHO
I AM TODAY BECAUSE
OF THE CHOICES
I MADE YESTERDAY.”
Pelahatchie senior Addison Lindsey is well
on her way to being able to say the same one
day. Society is often dismissive of teenagers
as being self-absorbed or shallow (a phase
we have likely all gone through). But could it
also be that, collectively, we just don’t expect
enough of them? Could it be that they
would rise to the occasion if given greater
responsibility? Addison seems to think so.
Addison grew up on three acres of land
with a family that breeds, trains, and sells
horses in addition to owning a variety of
other animals - dogs, rabbits, cows. “My
brother and I have always had responsibility
for the welfare of our animals. We spent our
childhood feeding and caring for our livestock,
and that taught me personal responsibility.
I had to make sure they had water, food and
were warm at night. Being in charge of these
animals I cared for - it’s a lot for a young kid,
but it pays off.”
Being successful at those simple, early
duties gave Addison a sense of confidence
in herself. That confidence, along with an
impressive work ethic, has opened some
exciting doors for her these last few years.
Addison is involved in her school student
council, BETA club, FCA, and volleyball.
Perhaps most impressively, she has been able to
represent her school as the Mississippi FFA
(former Future Farmers of America - now
known as the National FFA Organization)
state reporter, one of six students in the state
to be elected to that level.
Pelahatchie’s FFA sponsor, Mr. Bob
Robinson, emphasizes what an honor that is.
“She set her mind on the goal of serving as an
FFA state officer and she never backed down
from the challenge! It is literally a year-long
process to be chosen as a state officer and when
she was announced, it was one of my biggest
personal thrills. She has had an incredible year
of experiences across the state representing
our school and RCSD.”
Specifically, she had the opportunity to
lead FFA’s Summer Leadership Camp,
which is intended to teach its members
about responsibility and cooperation. She has
visited classrooms across the state to speak to
students about the many opportunities
available through FFA. Addison even had
the chance to travel to Indiana for the
National FFA Convention where she spent
the day building wheelchair ramps alongside
state officers from all over the country.
Addison is keenly aware of how much of
an impact her adult mentors have had on her
- knowing she might not have gotten those
opportunities but for their effect on her.
“Mr. Bob Robinson has always taught his
students to care for the community and to
help when you see a need arise. When we have
had families go through hardships, he and his
students have been on the side of the road
selling lunch plates to raise money for them.”
Her oral communications/Spanish
teacher, Ms. Kimberly Watson, has also been
influential in her success. “Before I earned
the title of Mississippi FFA state reporter,
Ms. Watson stayed countless hours after
school helping me learn how to do interviews
and speak extemporaneously. ‘Lesson 1’ was
exactly what that word meant! But she gave
me the knowledge I needed to reach my goal.
I will remember the lessons she and Mr. Bob
taught me long after I’m done sitting in their
classrooms.”
But it is her family, more than anyone, who
has instilled in Addison the vital importance
of service. Over twenty years ago, her
grandparents established a group called the
Heart and Hand Organization. Its purpose
is to welcome adults in nursing homes or
with special needs to enjoy a day on their
farm in Morton. Participants could ride
horses, interact with the animals, and enjoy
time in the country as a community. “Growing
up, my entire family would gather for this
event each year and my brother, cousins, and
I would greet them as they got off their
buses. It was my job to walk them over and
introduce them to the horses, and it was the
highlight of the year.” The family had to
pause this event during the pandemic, but
Addison is eagerly awaiting the return of
their 25th “Day at the Farm.”
Addison hopes her love of learning and
past experiences will propel her forward into
a career in veterinary medicine. She plans to
attend MSU in the fall to begin that journey
and her goal is to end up in a community
that needs her skills - a place where she can
invest her drive and energy just as others have
invested in her. “One day, I hope to become
an ag instructor as well so that I can educate
the children of that community about the
things that have been so important to me.”
And perhaps one day, she will have the
privilege of shaping another generation of
youth.....encouraging them to find their own
giftings and use them well, just as Addison
plans to.
Hometown RANKIN • 43