|
 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.
[to top of second column] |
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] |
