FFA travels to Indy

By: Caleb Towne, Contributing Writer

Centralia High School(CHS) FFA attended the 95th annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana from October 26th through 29th. ​

This year Centralia took around 20 students to Convention.  National Convention had approximately 69,000 attendees this year.

CHS was recognized as a National 3 Star chapter. CHS also represented Missouri in the Hall of States with an educational booth. The booth educated attendees about Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects. They explained to different attendees about students who have turned their SAE’s into an actual business. At the booth they also explained who the Missouri national proficiency finalists were and what their proficiency was. 

While at National Convention students got to do many interesting and exciting things. They went to the Expo where members got to discover agricultural careers and explore opportunities in postsecondary job training and education. Aside from attending convention sessions and the Expo, they also went to two concerts at the Indiana Pacers stadium and experienced downtown Indianapolis.  

The most exciting thing about National Convention was,“going on the national stage and receiving the 3 star chapter award for our chapter with Austin Orth,” said Bethany Rhoades.

Attending National Convention is not all fun and games. There are many educational and leadership opportunities available to students. There are leadership workshops that individual students and/or groups can attend Wednesday through Friday of the convention. Abby Asbury said her reason for going was, “to experience convention and learn how to grow as a leader.”

National FFA Convention gives students opportunities to grow. “ I feel it is extremely important to take students to the National FFA Convention to experience premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Many of the students have never traveled to such a convention and the experience of being without their parents for four days while having to be responsible while navigating unfamiliar places is a great experience,” said Centralia FFA advisor Scott Stone.

The final highlight of National Convention was that current Centralia FFA members got to watch former Centralia FFA members earn their American Degree.  American Degree recipients this year were: Schyler Angell, Christina Gronfeld, Jenna Hasekamp, Lance Hudson, Maelea Parrish and Kylee Walters.