The National FFA Convention occurs every year, and is an opportunity for FFA members to meet others from around the country with similar interests as them.
If you asked Faith Carpenter how she felt after the past
week, she’d probably tell you that “It was really good!” If you asked a new
member, like Dani Wrzesinski, she’d tell you “It was an amazing first
experience.” Another member traveling to Louisville for the first time,
Mitchell Schaefer, described the experience in a similar way, stating that, “Walking
into Freedom Hall for the first time- seeing all of the people and the expo
center, I realized how big it all was. It was amazing."
These all describe what it’s like every year at the end of
October, when FFA chapters from the state of Alaska to Puerto Rico and the
state of Maine to Hawaii meet at the National FFA Convention to showcase their
chapter’s accomplishments and individual talents that they have improved
upon throughout the year.
Again this year, Big Foot High School FFA members left
Tuesday morning to make their way towards Louisville, Kentucky. On the way,
they made a slight detour to Abe Lincoln’s house in Springfield, Illinois, as
well as the St. Louis Arch, allowing members to experience
landmarks in the United States that they have never visited before.
While at convention, students competed, attended workshops,
spoke to industry professionals at the career show, made new friends from
across the country, listened to motivational speakers, and were recognized on
stage for their hard work and dedication to the organization. When asked about
what they took away from their week in Louisville, every member gave a unique
response. Melissa Konkel, a new member, but one well acquainted with FFA,
“realized how large we are, and how big FFA is.” She knows that “some people
may think we’re just this small organization,” but argued that “we’re so much
more than that, and we’re going to keep growing.”
Multiple time each day, thousands of members,
advisors, and guests gather in the Convention Hall for sessions, where members,
sponsors, and other award winners are recognized on stage for their dedication
to the organization. Destiny Schmidt, this year’s Big Foot FFA Secretary, described her favorite seats for the session. “During the first
general session, when we sat up top, was really awesome, because we could see
all of the blue jackets that filled the room and watch the laser show before
the session.”
“WORMS!!!!”-Carlie O’Donnell
“Free radicals!!!”-Miriam Smith
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| Dani Wrzesinski with her Agriscience Research board |
- Dani Wrzesinski’s research, Comparison of Various Plant Based Ethanol on Fuel Efficiency, received 15th in the nation with a silver ranking in Environmental Services/Natural Resource Systems Division I.
- Miriam Smith and Katy Vacula’s research, The Effects of Microwaves on Antioxidant Levels in Organic Fruit, received 12th place in the nation with a silver ranking in Division IV of Food Products and Processing Systems.
- Melissa Konkel’s research, The Effects of Various Fruit Washes on the Bacteria Levels on Fresh Fruit, received 7th in the nation with a silver ranking in Food Products and Processing Systems Division I.
- Carlie O’Donnell’s research, Effects and Comparison of Compost Tea and Fertilizer's Effect on Sprout Germination Rates and Percentages, received 3rd gold in Plant Systems.
Amelia Hayden’s research, Effects of Various Levels of Cinnamaldehyde on Duck Embryonic Cell Growth Rates, received 1st gold in Animal Systems Division II.
Carlie receiving her 3rd place award on stage
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| Amelia receiving her 1st place award on stage |
After watching the members who competed go through the process of interviewing and sharing their research with sponsors, member Josie Wells was inspired, and said “I realized that I needed to start thinking about my agriscience fair project now. And that you have to make more opportunities with what you have and make the most of it.” Advisor Jeanne Case also noted, “National Convention has motivated me to want to start working more directly with students in the Agriscience Fair to help them accomplish their goals.”
After watching the members who competed go through the process of interviewing and sharing their research with sponsors, member Josie Wells was inspired, and said “I realized that I needed to start thinking about my agriscience fair project now. And that you have to make more opportunities with what you have and make the most of it.” Advisor Jeanne Case also noted, “National Convention has motivated me to want to start working more directly with students in the Agriscience Fair to help them accomplish their goals.”
In addition to the Agriscience Fair Award recipients, Faith
Carpenter and Chris Walter represented the Big Foot FFA on stage as the chapter
was recognized for National Chapter. This award is split into three
categories: Student, Chapter, and Community Development. It is also judged
first at a state level before being sent on to be judged at a national level.
In order to be recognized at National Convention for National Chapter, the
chapter must be recognized in all three of the areas described previously.
“It was really rewarding to hear all of the guest and
keynote speakers look at us as the future and know that they trusted us with
every task that we’ve been told we will face,” Alexx Rullman stated after
convention, though this was a shared concept among all those in attendance.
Throughout convention, there are several motivational speakers who are brought
in to give keynote addresses. Among these speakers were Dr. Rick Rigsby, who
spoke about hard work and dedication. In addition, the creator of the popular YouTube
sensation Kid President, Brad Montague, also spoke during one of the sessions,
with his talk entitled “Amplify Good.” After hearing from these inspirational
people, member Chris Walter decided he wanted to “choose awesome,” stating, “I
want to live my life in a better way and do more for other people. I’ve really
started to think about what it truly means to be in FFA and how it’s not just
being a future farmer, but a leader and a beacon of hope for our nation and our
world.”
The chapter’s final highlight of this year’s convention was
when FFA and FFA Alumni member Seth Loudenbeck received his American Degree on
stage, the highest award the organization can bestow on its members. American
Degrees are awarded based on an individual’s work in his or her Supervised
Agricultural Experience (SAE). Seth’s SAE focused on his work starting his own
business raising dairy goats and selling the milk yielded for cheese
production. Seth was also Wisconsin’s applicant for the Star Farmer over
America this year, an award presented to one of four outstanding star
categories, selected from individuals receiving their American Degrees in any
given year.
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| Seth with other Big Foot FFA members after receiving his American Degree in Louisville |
As with everything in life, all good things come to a
close. However, the 88th National FFA Convention is likely to stay
with those who attended for years to come, because there is always something to
take away from such a unique experience. New member, Carolyn Peklo, “realized
how much fun it was meeting new people and learning about different things from
all the other states. Shout out to Pennsylvania and Iowa!” College freshman,
Katy Vacula, said “I realized more about what I wanted to do with my life – and
that it was not necessarily what I thought it was going to be.” Seth
Loudenbeck’s experience came with the realization that it would be his last
time donning the blue jacket. First year advisor, Mr. Zachary Markhardt, looked
back on the experience fondly, commenting “I’ve come to National Convention multiple
times as a student and Collegiate FFA member. But as an advisor, you take on
more responsibilities, and it was unique, exciting, and nerve-racking to deal
with students in a large city capacity.”
Written By: Katy Vacula
Big Foot FFA Member
Edited By: Amelia Hayden
Big Foot FFA Reporter
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