National FFA Convention Report

            Seven students of the Southern Cayuga FFA Chapter attended the 86th National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, during the last week of October.  Members included Logan LaFave (FFA President), Sam Schneider (FFA Vice President), Steven White (FFA Treasurer), Alex Smith (FFA Sentinel), Lilly Morales (FFA Secretary), Casi Vernon (FFA reporter), and Maureen Conner (FFA member).  Going to the National FFA Convention opens many doors by allowing students to make connections with other members around the country, develop leadership and have fun.

Having fun while also learning about the diversity of the agricultural industry was the main experience at National FFA Convention.  On the long drive to Kentucky we stopped at many amazing places such as the Corning Museum of Glass, the Kentucky Derby Museum, Churchill Downs, Newport Aquarium, Louisville Zoo, and we visited the University of Kentucky for a college tour.  We also stopped at a dairy farm where we learned how they recycle manure into bedding for the cows.
Once we arrived at the National Convention, there were over 62,000 FFA members and guests from all over the country who attended, making it very easy to meet new people!  We received an autograph book and were challenged to get one person from each state to sign it; this challenge forced us to meet people from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  We were also given time to make new friends from New York.

We were inspired by speakers talking about being a leader and using our strengths to influence our community.  Workshops involved leadership skills and other fun topics such as finding ourselves and going into veterinarian work.  These workshops were taught by past FFA members and professionals working in the agricultural industry.  Overall the National FFA Convention was a great experience for us and we can’t wait to go again next year.