Olympia FFA Attends 2021 National
Convention
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[November 16, 2021]
On October 27th-29th, twelve FFA members traveled to the 94th
National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Those that
attended all three days included Kailey Little, Kari Simpson, Tarah
Hilt, Isabelle Forrest, Brooke Rogers, Cheyenne Hanlin, Brandon
Wood, Reed Naughton, Anna Kindred, Thea Nienhaus, Aime Witham, and
Libby Shaffer. Members Adam Swartzendruber, Cole Kindred, and Luke
Pratt attended on Wednesday only.
At this convention, FFA members attended two general sessions, a
student workshop that interested them, explored the career and
college fair, visited the FFA shopping mall and took in some of the
sites of Indianapolis.
Wednesday afternoon, the members attended the opening session where
they heard from speakers like the United States Secretary of
Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and key-note speaker Courtenay DeHoff.
Each day FFA members got the opportunity to learn about businesses
and were able to talk to colleges with good agriculture programs in
the career and college fair.
On Wednesday evening, the group traveled to Hannah’s Haunted Acres.
There the members rode on a haunted hayrack ride, walked through
several haunted houses and enjoyed the scares of a lifetime. At
Hannah’s Haunted Acres we were able to have fun as well as bond with
our fellow chapter members.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2021/Nov/16/images/ads/current/topflight_sda_SFARM_2020.png)
FFA members not only learned about agriculture and leadership but
also about Indianapolis itself.
Thursday morning the group was able to tour the NCAA Hall of
Champions. We were also able to tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
museum and track. Everyone in attendance was able to kiss the
bricks.
Thursday afternoon, FFA members were able to attend workshops.
Workshops are one hour sessions that are focused on more specific
ideas like motivation or how to become a veterinarian. Thursday
night, the Olympia FFA Chapter treated the 14 attendees to a steak
dinner at Bynum's Steakhouse. Friday morning the group went to their
final session where they heard from Miriam Hoffman, Eastern Region
Vice President, who is also from Illinois. Her message was, “Make
Changes that Honor Tradition.” The speech motivated students to
strive to make the world better, whether it is through agriculture
or anything else.
Reed Naughton stated, “The retiring address was really inspiring
because we are all here together as part of a big family to make the
most of our abilities.” After the Friday session, the group had
another chance to talk to colleges and businesses of their interest,
then loaded up to head home. The National FFA Convention is an
awesome experience for FFA members to grow as leaders and bring
these messages from the speakers back to their chapter.
Thank you Mr. Hoffman and Ms. Colebank (ISU student teacher) for
making this trip possible.
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![](../images/111621PIX/IMG_3187sm_small.jpg)
Back L-R: Brandon Wood, Reed
Naughton, Cole Kindred, Adam Swartzendruber, and Luke Pratt. Middle L-R: Libby
Shaffer, Tarah Hilt, Kari Simpson, Kailey Little, Isabelle Forrest, and Anna
Kindred. Front L-R: Thea Nienhaus, Cheyenne Hanlin, Aime Witham, and Brooke
Rogers pose in front of Lucas Oil Stadium before the Opening Session starts.
![](../images/111621PIX/IMG-3497sm_small.jpg)
FFA members pose with a monster
from Hannah’s Haunted Acres!
![](../images/111621PIX/IMG-3505sm_small.jpg)
Olympia FFA at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway
![](../images/111621PIX/IMG-3510sm_small.jpg)
Olympia FFA joins the “Flying
Wedge” at the NCAA Hall of Champions
[Text submitted by Bryce Hoffman]
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