Edison High School FFA members traveled to Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 28-31 to take part in the 98th Annual National FFA Convention and Expo.
Nine members attended along with advisors Kelli Pridemore and Cori Griffith, where they joined about 73,000 other FFA participants from around the country at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. According to the national organization’s website, the event is one of the largest student conventions in the world with a mission to develop, educate and inspire. Students attended workshops to develop leadership, personal growth, and career success, while teacher workshops also provided educators with new ideas and activities to integrate into their classrooms. The convention also included educational tours, such as agribusiness systems, animal systems, biotechnology systems, natural resources systems, and power, structural and technical systems, while members, teams and chapters were also recognized during the expo for their accomplishments. Additionally, more than 300 exhibitors were on hand representing agriculture, colleges, fundraising, the U.S. Armed Services and auto and truck manufacturers.
Pridemore said the event intends to broaden the young members’ understanding of leadership and service.
“The National FFA Convention exposes students to FFA on a national level. They were able to meet people from all over the country,” she continued. “The students enriched their leadership skills and bonded through the week of travel.”
FFA members attended a career fair and convention sessions during the event.
“We attended convention sessions where we heard from keynote speakers, national FFA officers, and saw national FFA talent,” Pridemore said.
While there, the group also toured Ozark Fisheries, a local fish farm; took a behind-the-scenes tour of the ocean section and enjoyed the Indianapolis Zoo; toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and “kissed the bricks” at the Brickyard; and attended a rodeo.