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INDIANAPOLIS — Six students of Laurel-Concord-Coleridge FFA Chapter were able to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October.
Members attending were Abby Lipp, Yasmine Miranda, Lilly Pehrson, Tanner Hansen, Levi Heithold, and Kennedy Hall. Advisors Vincent Cabanez and Angie Hall were also in attendance.
The convention involves the top competitors from every state’s FFA events and rewards them with placing on a National level and to be recognized as such. Also available to attendees, are leadership workshops where they can learn about their own leadership skills and activities they can bring back to the chapter to build the other members. A career fair allows members to network with industry leaders and future employment opportunities. Along with careers the members are also able to talk with many colleges from all around the country that offer Agriculture Degrees to further their knowledge in their chosen industry. Some of the highlights from the convention were seeing the opening ceremonies and connecting with fellow FFA members from other states and learning about their Ag production practices.
The days following the convention the group were able to take in many tours on their journey back home. Tours included the Apache Manufacturing location where members were able to tour the production lines of Apache self-propelled sprayers.
They also were able to tour the Lincoln Memorial, where President Lincoln is buried. From there, they toured the Lincoln Museum.
The students learned about the hardships Lincoln had in his life and further into his presidency. Lincoln was our president that started the Department of Agriculture.
Their next landmark was a tour at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Each member was able to ride to the top of the arch. Despite the fear of heights of some, their brave leadership skills helped them conquer their fears to see the both lands that tie our country together. The last tour had them closer to home. They toured Geha Stadium in Kansas City. They had a chance to see where the football players walk leading them onto the field, where they spend their time in the locker rooms, and the special areas of the clubs available to the public.
The stadium is proud to be the only natural turf stadium in the NFL.
They shared with the members of the special grasses they use this time of year with the change of daylight hours available in the midwest region.
They also showed the students of the grow lights they use on the field to keep it lush green throughout the football season.
It was a great trip for these members. They traveled with other local chapters. Sharing the bus ride was Osmond, Hartington-Newcastle, Wynot and Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Chapters. Many new friendships were formed over the week of the National trip.
