MVCTC FFA National Convention Day Trip
On October 19th, the MVCTC FFA chapter juniors took a day trip to the 89th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Every year the MVCTC FFA Chapter has the privilege of taking the juniors to experience the National FFA Convention. There they learn about different agricultural opportunities, meet friends of the FFA, and develop their leadership skills, personal growth, and career success.
The juniors started their trip off by visiting the Indianapolis Zoo, sponsored by MVCTC FFA alumni. They were able to explore the exhibits on their own and enjoy themselves. Afterwards they made their way to the Indiana Convention Center to attend the Career Fair. There they were able to visit more than 450 exhibitors representing agriculture, colleges, fundraisers, U.S. Armed Services and auto and truck manufacturers. The juniors had the opportunity to discover agricultural careers and explore post-secondary job training and education. Even the Chapter advisors had the opportunity to gather new ideas and new materials for their classrooms.
The juniors were also able to go to the FFA Shopping Mall where they could shop for FFA apparel and other merchandise. It wasn’t long until the first Opening Session started and the National FFA Officer team began their opening ceremony. Our National FFA President Taylor McNeel welcomed the over 70,000 FFA members, advisors, and visitors to the opening session. She explained this years FFA theme “Transform, Purpose to Action” and then reintroduced Andy Paul, our past National President for reflections.
There were amazing performances from the National FFA Band and Chorus, a Smith Hughes Act Recognition, and a small speech from our National FFA Advisor Dr. Steve Brown. Then, lastly, we had keynote speaker, Diana Nyad, who talked to us about her experiences and life lessons. She is an author and long distance swimmer who became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida. She spoke of achieving our dreams and how failing shouldn’t be something that stops us from reaching them. She incorporated “Transform, Purpose to Action” into her speech and talked about what it meant to her. She was an amazing and inspirational speaker. After Diana was finished speaking, ending ceremony came and it was time to go back to MVCTC, thus, ending 2016’s junior trip to National FFA Convention.
The trip was exceptionally educational, informational, motivational, and fun. We need to thank our Ag teachers for taking the juniors and making it possible for them to go to National Convention. Below are some of the comments from the juniors.
“I enjoyed the FFA Shopping mall and explored the Career Fair. I got to talk to many colleges and figured out which ones had good veterinary programs. I even received papers about receiving college scholarships.” Chelsea Avner, Junior, Tipp City (Veterinary Science)
“I thought it was really fun and I know a lot more about agriculture now than before I entered MVCTC.” Abbi Shade, Junior, Carlisle (Natural Resources)
“I liked the motivational speaker. She was very motivational and the goals she set out to achieve were very inspiring. It really helped me to make my goals in my lab program and school.” Destiny Harris, Junior, Carlisle (Animal Care and Management)
“I learned that FFA involved more than one state and it was like a big family. I also learned that if you have leadership skills, you can get somewhere in FFA.” Camden Cultice, Junior, Dixie (Diesel Technology)
"For my first time, I thought it was interesting seeing everyone at National Convention. My favorite part was the expo, were I got to see new agricultural advances and machinery” Kendra Lane, Junior, Eaton (Agriculture and Livestock Production)
“It was awesome and a good experience. Definitely worth going to because it builds character and responsibility.” Ben McCarroll, Junior, Northmont (Retail Agriculture services)
The MVCTC FFA Chapter focuses on agricultural education and teaches students leadership skills and qualities that will benefit them in their future career choices. Students in our organization are given oportunities to better their skills and knowlge in their agricultural programs. Weither it be in veterinary science or desiel technology or in retail agriculture services, all of our programs are given hands on experience and training. Leading our students to continue their education to get their degrees and qualifications to reach their career goals.
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