Making Memories in Blue Corduroy
Tips for FFA members to enjoy National Convention!
Dear FFA Member,
As an active FFA member in high school just a couple of years ago, many of my favorite memories came somewhere between Conseco Field House and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during the National FFA Convention. With the 83rd Annual National Convention less than a week away, I thought it was the perfect time to write a letter to give FFA members some tips to having one of the most memorable FFA trips or your high school career.
- Go to all the general sessions. Each year, members have the opportunity to not only hear some of the best keynote speakers (like Mike Rowe last year) but also learn how other members around the country are better serving their communities and building their SAEs. From supporting your fellow FFA members or simply enjoying the Laser Show, the sessions are packed with entertainment.
- Talk to people from other states. It’s always amazing at the end of Convention to think of all the diverse people involved in the organization. Whether remembering the Arizona FFA members who taught my chapter how to play music on crystal glasses or the Kansas kids that we talked to for hours into the night in the hotel hallway, the thoughts of the incredible people I met and learned from all those years are a constant reminder of the importance of networking.
- Experience Indianapolis. Okay, so I may be a little bias considering I hail from the state of Indiana, but Indianapolis and the surrounding areas are full excellent restaurants and interesting attractions. One recommendation from a Hoosier: just go explore if your chapter has the free time, you never know what you might discover.
- Go to the Convention Center. Between shopping, bull riding, meeting new friends, networking with businesses or learning more about colleges, there are numerous ways for members to keep busy and grow both personally and professionally.
- Walk across the stage. Though this one may be a little harder to achieve, one of the most awesome experiences I can think of is stepping onto a stage with approximately 55,000 people cheering and applauding. Not only is it fun for the you to walk across the stage, but it’s also fun for your fellow members and advisors to watch you receive the recognition you deserve for earning awards or receiving the coveted American Degree.
- Take lots of pictures! You’ll want to treasure your memories for the rest of your life.
Whether it’s your first time attending Convention or it’s the last time you’ll stand in official dress, the memories you make this coming week will last for years to come. I hope this advice helps and have a safe trip to the Hoosier state!
Sincerely,
Laura Beth Padgett
Western Boone FFA ’09
P.S. If you’re an FFA alum, what advice do you have for today’s members? What are some of your favorite memories the blue corduroy jacket?
~ guest post by Laura Padgett
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Hmmm… My daughter had an opportunity to go, and we turned it down. $350 for socializing? Maybe there’s more to it, but no one could tell us the value. And we asked, sincerely. “Awesome experience!” wasn’t quite enough for either her or us to fork over the $.
Hi Lona. I can understand the financial challenges with costs of sending your daughter. However, i can assure you that the National FFA Conventions is much more than just socializing. While meeting FFA members from across the country is great fun, I still hold up my experiences in FFA as the best leadership development of my life. In my experience, the power of FFA is at the state and national level, where you learn from the best speakers in the country, participating in life-changing career development events and identify your career interests. I’d encourage you all to see it for yourself when you get a chance.
Lona, I’m sorry to hear that you chose not to take the trip. Unfortunately, sometimes “Awesome experience!” is the only way to describe it, because it is awesome beyond words. This year will be my seventh National FFA Convention and I’ve found ways to go back even though I’ve received my American FFA Degree and have now passed into that wonderful world known as “Alumni” 🙂 The people you meet, the experiences you have to travel/hear from world-renowned speakers/network with future employers, and the amount you grow at National Convention is an ‘awesome experience’ that most high school students will never get to have in their entire lives. Seriously, how many times can you say that you were in attendance at the largest convention in the country behind the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and were one of over 50,000 people to overtake Indianapolis?! (As a side note, some chapters seek sponsorship from local businesses or Alumni chapters or can use fundraising money to support student trips to convention–may be something you suggest in the future.)
Laura Beth, I couldn’t agree with you more on all of your tips and tricks! I’ve had the chance to experience convention as a CDE contestant, proficiency judge, state officer, American Degree recipient, National FFA Foundation collegiate host — every experience offers something different and a new way to grow and meet people. I’m especially excited this year because I get to see my best friend give her retiring address as a National FFA Officer. I suggest every member try something new, be open to learning and step out of your comfort zone at convention — you never know what opportunity might pass your way because you do!
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