News : FFA Members Strengthen Leadership Skills through IAT Conference

FFA members playing a fun game with others and getting to know new people at their tables.

(Top left) Andrew Pingenot, Austin Noe, (next row) Braedon Hepker, Jazmyn Dods, (next row) Will McKenna, Ben Buhr, Zyla Mullinex, Sophia Newton (next row) Ciara Dods, Eleanor Moen, Brie Carolan (next row) Leif Allen, Bri Dulin, Kalysa Cabalka

By: Co-Reporter, Izzie Birker

The first annual IAT Conference took place on the 11th of November. The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA got the chance to take fourteen members to the FFA Enrichment Center for a fun day full of games, dancing, music, making new friends, and great messages on how to be a strong leader from the state officers. 

To start the conference, the students who attended were split up by grade level. The Freshmen were taken to the Ignite part of the conference, The Sophomores and Juniors were taken to the Amplify portion, and Lastly, the Seniors that attended went to the Transform portion of IAT. All of these sessions in IAT conferences focused on different aspects of leadership and how to become a strong and independent member of FFA. Members were also provided with an amazing lunch that consisted of pulled pork sandwiches, with sides of mac and cheese, salad, a dessert and drinks.  

The state officers each took turns throughout the day sharing lessons on ways that the members can better themselves as a leader and FFA members. FFA member Andrew Pignenot said, "IAT has allowed a lot of FFA members to grow their leadership skills and gives them a new and different perspective on the qualities that FFA offers and I have had a great time participating in the conference." This is Andrew's second time going to this conference and he said he has learned so much from these experiences.

All of these FFA members enjoyed spending time with others and finding out so much more about agriculture learning and how they can better their chapter, home, school, and community.