Olympia FFA Attends 2021 National Convention

 

[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.
 

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.

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.

FFA members pose with a monster from Hannah’s Haunted Acres!

Olympia FFA at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Olympia FFA joins the “Flying Wedge” at the NCAA Hall of Champions

[Text submitted by Bryce Hoffman]