News : National FFA Convention

On October 29th, seventeen Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members and four chaperones plus Mrs. Fleming, got up bright and early to leave for Louisville, Kentucky for National FFA Convention; whose theme is Go All Out. The three vans left the school at 6:30 am and made it to Kentucky around 7:30 pm, stopping for a tour at Caterpillar Visitor Center in Illinois. When the group got to Kentucky there was only time for a quick meal before they set out to the KFC Yum! Center for the Justin Moore and Easton Corbin concert.

The next morning the members and chaperons all had to wake up early for a long day at convention and a rodeo to finish the day. While at convention the members went to the career expo center, different workshops, the shopping area, and attended a few sessions. One session that the members attended on Thursday, October 30th, had keynote speaker, Nick Vujicic. Nick talked about how we need to stop the bullying that is in our schools and that it is okay to be different. The other session that the members attended contained of Steven Brokshus, the Central Region Vice President and a National Officer from Iowa, give his retiring speech and the National Chapter 3 Star Chapter Awards, which the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter received.

On October 31st, the students that attended Nationals had a very busy day. They started their morning by going to Deere Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Lanesville, Indiana then going back to Louisville, Kentucky to visit Churchill Downs. At Churchill Downs, the members took a tour then they got to watch a horse race. After the tours, the members spent the rest of the day at convention. At convention, everyone got to enjoy another session, with keynote speaker Jane Herlong. Janes’ speech was to tell the FFA members, and all that attended, not to let other people “throw tomatoes at your dreams.” She talked about how she did things that everyone said that she couldn’t and that we can do it too. On Friday, the Proficiency Award winners were also announced at a session, one member of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter, Kyle Henkle, received a gold in Diversify Crop Proficiency at National level.

The last day that the members were at National FFA Convention was on Saturday, November 1st. They attended the eighth general session of Convention, which announced all of the American FFA Degree recipients. Timothy Houtchens, a member of the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter, received his American FFA Degree. After everyone was announced the members left for Iowa.

The 87th National FFA Convention was a lot of fun. Everyone was glad they got to go and had a great time at convention and the different tours that the members went on. It was an amazing experience for everyone and they brought home ideas that will help the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter Go All Out!

Jessica Alderson and Katie Isbell

Co-Reporters