East Clinton’s FFA chapter excelled in competitions and brought home knowledge and great memories from the recent National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Members met many different FFA chapters, attended sessions, toured a winery, made chocolate, watched a hypnotist, and much more.
Also, the Dairy team attended the National Dairy Judging contest, and Nathan Stewart competed in the National Proficiency Interviews.
To kick off the week, the FFA chapter traveled to Indiana on Oct. 24 where the students went paintballing and ziplining. The chapter had a great time, and through these activities they learned many teamwork skills and gained the ability to overcome fears such as heights.
Later that day, the chapter went to the opening session of the 91st National Convention.
The session was very informational, and the key speaker really caught their attention. He talked about his experiences overcoming his fear of talking to new people.
At the end of the day, the chapter had the great opportunity to take part in the Garth Brooks concert. Garth sang all of his hits from “Beaches of Cheyenne” to “Friends in Low Places.”
As stated by Sarah Ross, a chapter member, “The concert was so amazing, and I’m so glad that I actually got to see the Garth Brooks in concert! Dream come true!”
Thursday was a busy day for the chapter; they took part in two more sessions. Both key speakers had great messages about friendship as well as leadership.
The chapter also got to make their own chocolate, and learn about how cocoa powder is made at the local chocolate factory, Schocolad.
Later that day, the students traveled to the convention center where they had the experience of watching a world-renowned hypnotist, Jim Wand.
At the convention the chapter had a team that qualified to compete in the National Contest.
The Dairy team had won the State Contest and moved on to Nationals to compete. The team of Taylor Boeckmann, Gracie McCarren, Ashley Kinney and Dakota Slone placed 26th overall and was rated Silver in the Nation.
In addition to having a team compete, the chapter also had an individual compete in the National Proficiency Finals. Nathan Stewart qualified for Nationals in Specialty Animal Production by winning state and then qualified Top 4 in the nation.
At convention he went through interviews and was named a National Winner in Specialty Animal Production.
To wrap up the trip, the chapter went to one more session on Saturday, and watched four former chapter members — Olivia Wood, Cassie Parks, Hannah Pickering and Denver Bernard — receive their American Degrees.
The chapter members would like to thank the East Clinton School Board and Administration as well as the supporters who donated money for the trip and helped chaperone the trip for a fun and successful National Convention.
Information submitted by East Clinton FFA.
