Jacob Duff is most comfortable when his hands are busy. Whether he's turning a wrench, diagnosing a problem, or figuring out how something works from the inside out, he approaches tasks with quiet confidence that comes from experience rather than bravado. For Jacob, learning has never been confined to a desk or a screen. It has happened in garages, shops, and workspaces where patience, precision, and persistence matter.

A junior at Monmouth-Roseville, Jacob has spent much of his high school career exploring pathways that reward hands-on problem-solving. His interest in mechanics developed early, shaped in large part by time spent working alongside his dad, a longtime truck driver. Those moments started with lawnmowers. "For a long time, I was just the supervisor," Jacob says. Then his dad invited him closer: "Come here. Why don't you take a look?" There is satisfaction, Jacob says, in knowing you can solve a problem yourself.

Jacob speaks about the relationship with his dad carefully. "It's hard to say I love you," he admits, "because that's kind of that unspoken thing between father and son. When you're young, it's one thing. Once you get older..." He trails off, then continues. "He's saying, I love you the only way he knows how to."

That mindset carried naturally into his coursework. In eighth grade, Mr. Wetterling introduced the option of attending the Galesburg Area Vocational Center. Jacob is now enrolled in the Automotive Technology program, where students learn vehicle systems, diagnostics, and repair. The work is practical, the expectations are clear, and progress is tangible.

Jacob plans to attend Carl Sandburg College and pursue diesel mechanics—a field that combines complexity with real-world demand. He subscribes to an old saying: "It's better to be a jack of all trades than a master of one." He may take business courses too, keeping his options open for starting his own shop someday.

One of the most influential experiences Jacob has had is through FFA. Jacob is quick to clarify: he's not a farm kid. "I have never claimed to be some down-home country-raised guy," he says. When people question why he wears boots and jeans, his response is characteristically self-deprecating: "I'm young, I'm fat, I can't bend over to tie my shoes." The humor is genuine, the confidence real.

The turning point came at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. "That is one of the most amazing experiences," Jacob says. He met students from Oklahoma, Texas, Alaska, California, and New Hampshire—people who drove 18 or 19 hours just to be there. Jacob credits much of his growth to Mr. Kilburn, his FFA advisor. "He's been the world's most amazing teacher," Jacob says simply.

Through FFA, Jacob has developed communication skills and leadership. He has a natural ability to mediate and bring people together. He listens first, considers different perspectives, and looks for practical solutions. His approach to conflict? "You mediate where mediation's needed," he says. Those qualities stand out in group settings, where his steady demeanor helps keep things focused.

Growing up in Monmouth, Jacob has benefited from a close-knit environment where people look out for one another. He recognizes that access to programs like GAVC and FFA is not guaranteed everywhere, and he does not take that lightly. Those experiences have given him direction and a clearer sense of who he is becoming.

Jacob understands the value of work ethic. He speaks respectfully about the expectations placed on him, whether by teachers, advisors, or family. Responsibility is not something he resists; it's something he accepts. Showing up, doing the job right, and taking pride in the result are principles he returns to again and again.

As graduation approaches, Jacob doesn't feel rushed to define everything at once. He is comfortable building steadily, learning as he goes, and trusting the process. The same patience he applies to mechanical work guides his outlook on life.

In a world that often prioritizes speed and convenience, Jacob Duff represents a different approach—one rooted in craftsmanship, self-reliance, and quiet pride. If something is worth doing, he believes, it's worth doing well. And if you do it yourself, you've earned every bit of that satisfaction.