NEW PARIS — On Wednesday, Oct. 19, the National Trail MVCTC FFA Chapter, along with Tri-Village MVCTC FFA attended the 89th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The journey and four day event in Indianapolis brought many new experiences for the members.
On their way out of town the chapters made a close-to-home pit stop for the first tour of the trip. The students and advisors stopped by Abbott’s Candy located in Hagerstown, Indiana. This family-owned and operated business was founded in 1890. The group was given a wonderful tour with goodies along the way. The candy store staff went through some of their processes, showing students how they made their creams and caramels.
Once the two chapters got to Indianapolis, they went to the opening session of the 89th National FFA Convention. At the opening session the kids got to listen to the amazing speaker Diana Nyad. Nyad is a public speaker and author. During her speech to 53,101 students in blue corduroy jackets from all over the United States of America, she explained her journey and the struggles she had to conquer as she achieved her swim from Cuba to Key West with no shark cage. On that same night, after dinner at Bucca De Beppo’s, the students got to experience a concert in Lucas Oil Stadium by artists Cole Swindell and Chris Young.
After a full night’s rest, the two chapters spent the morning at the Career Show and FFA Shopping Mall before the third general session. The Career Show showed the members from all over the United States the endless opportunities they had. There were universities from all over and even some of our local schools including The Ohio State University, Ball State University, Ivy Tech Community College and many more.
Members also had a chance to buy serval souvenirs at the FFA Shopping Mall and other little shops supporting the FFA. Another attraction the kids got to experience was Jim Ward’s Hypnotist Show, which was absolutely hilarious. Ward hypnotized around 20 advisors and members in the audience and his results were remarkable. They finished up the night at the Buckeye Bash. The Buckeye Bash is a dance for only students in Ohio at National FFA Convention. With a room full of buckeyes, with barely any room to move, it helps the kids to stretch out of their comfort zones and meet other members from the same state as them to mingle with.
After a long couple of days the members and advisors were excited and ready for Thursday morning to come. The chapters started off their morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on a tour that went on the track and ended kissing the bricks, that normally only champions get to kiss after winning the Indy 500. Once everyone kissed the bricks we got to walk through the museum part of the motor speedway and got another history lesson with it. After the sixth general session in Bankers Life Field House the students got to experience City Barbeque in Fishers, Indiana. After dinner, the group attended the World’s Toughest Rodeo for the evening. During the World’s Toughest Rodeo we got to watch Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey, Bareback Riding, Saddle Broc Riding and Bull Riding. The World’s Toughest Rodeo for sure knows how to put on a show for a stadium full of FFA members as some of the announcers and performers use to be members.
Saturday morning, the students and advisors got an early start as the chapters made their way to Lucas Oil Stadium for the American Degree Ceremony. National Trail-MVCTC FFA Chapter had member Allison Grimes receive her American Degree which is the highest degree an FFA member can receive. After watching Grimes walk across the stage and the chapter congratulating her the chapter made their way to the final session of the convention.
During the final session we listened to the 2016 National FFA President Taylor McNeel give her retiring address. As the National FFA Officers spent their last moment together as the officers, they also got to install our new 2017 National FFA Officers. The 2017 National FFA Officers are President David Townsend, Secretary Victoria Harris, Southern Region Vice-President DeShawn Blanding, Central Region Vice-President Valerie Earley, Eastern Region Vice-President Ashley Willits, and Western Region Vice-President Trey Elizondo. Once all were congratulated the National Trail-MVCTC FFA Chapter made their way back home safely.
We encourage any FFA members as well as community members to attend our events and help make a difference in our community. The National Trail-MVCTC FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to over 160 student members at National Trail High School.
