[Ed. note: Longtime Kingfisher FFA advisers Ryan and Lori Burns recently stepped down from their positions, ending a 20-year period that’s the most successful of any program in Oklahoma history. Throughout their tenure, the Burnses influenced a number of students who went through their program, including KT&FP staff writer Addison Themer. We asked Addison to offer some thoughts on the impact the Burns family had not just on her, but the community as a whole.]

By Addison Themer

KT&FP Staff Writer

After the announcement that Ryan and Lori Burns would be leaving the Kingfisher FFA program, I was left to consider the impact they left not only on the FFA chapter or the school, but on me personally.

Ask any former or current FFA student from Kingfisher about their time spent in the Blue and Gold jacket and they can likely recall several wins, losses and memories from their time in FFA.

Most could also go on and on about the impact the Burnses had on them and the lessons they learned.

My time spent under the instruction of Ryan and Lori molded me to be a better student, worker and leader.

The reason students leave the Kingfisher FFA program better than they were before is not because of the state and national championships, but because of the example the Burnses set for their students.

They truly exemplify sacrificial leadership and hard work.

There were few hours in a day you would not find them at the barns or in the ag room helping students.

Year round, their time was devoted to ensuring students were prepared for contests and they provided us with endless opportunities to enable our success.

Under their instruction, I learned how vital it is to pay attention to detail.

I soon realized the difference between a good presentation and a winning presentation could be researching one more question or setting aside 10 minutes to say my speech to Mrs. Burns one more time before leaving the ag room.

More importantly, the Burnses showed me how to win and lose with humility.

They coached one of the best programs in the state, yet I never heard them brag or assume we would continue to win.

In fact, they constantly reminded us that we must continue working even harder as a chapter each year if we wanted to stay at the top.

The Burnses helped our team understand the importance of both winning and losing with grace and showed us how to face challenges and continue competing after setbacks.

Ryan and Lori have undoubtedly taught me life lessons that have changed the way I tackle my everyday life and I am extremely grateful for the impact they have had on me, the chapter and our community.