The Roseburg FFA attended the 96th annual FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, and competed in the Vet Science and Forestry Career Development Events (CDEs). Sylvia Smith said, “It was an exciting opportunity, and we had a good time, but I was also nervous about competing.”
Savannah Kempton said, “It took a lot of hard work and dedication to make it to nationals.” This was Roseburg’s first time attending in decades. After countless practices, district, and state competitions, two plane rides, and 288 miles of travel through Nashville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky, eight competing FFA members, two alternates, two chaperones, and our advisor Mrs. Powell arrived at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, where the convention would be held. “I have been on a plane a couple of times, but it was fun to travel with my team and chapter to compete at nationals,” says Tyler Smith. We departed on October 27, and the convention was held from November 1 to 4, with vet science competing for two days and forestry for one.
On the trip, the group stopped at many places throughout Tennessee and Kentucky. “My favorite place we visited was probably the haunted corn maze. It was fun to get together with everyone and just have a good time,” said Hunter Ponton. “We visited the Indianapolis Speedway; it was very cool. We got to ride on the track too. We also met a Georgia FFA chapter; we talked about things they had in their state that we don’t have in Oregon. They were really nice,” says Kylie Henderson. The time spent not competing was in the convention expo center, shopping, meeting new people, and making connections with people from all across the United States. Tyler Smith said, “There were some chapters from Puerto Rico, and there was someone from Kentucky handing out FFA bracelets to people he met.”
We attended sessions held in the morning and evenings. Our experience in the session was aided by the Oregon FFA association; they graciously invited us to their private suite and box seats. “The suite was awesome; there was food and drinks provided by them, and we had a great view of the stage,” says Lucas Bracken. At the session, they introduced our national officers, choir, ROTC, and keynote speaker, Juan Bendana. Everything learned and observed at the National Convention, and throughout all FFA, plays a role in the leadership skills we develop and apply in our everyday lives. Andi Robison says, “I have grown a lot in skills, such as public speaking, and it has helped me grow through personal experiences.” This trip was a blast, and we have Mrs. Powell to thank for it; she planned flights, booked tickets, budgeted, booked Airbnbs and hotel rooms, and made this experience possible.