This year the Anderson FFA Chapter took 8 students to the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.  These 8 students were among over 53,000 other FFA members from across the United States in attendance.  Will Anderson, Anna Copelan, Michaela Johansing, & Trevor Stamey from Westside High School and Aly Austin, Harrison Bramlette, Hampton Davenport, & Staphanie Johnson from TL Hanna High School were the students who represented our chapter.

While at Convention the students experienced motivational speeches from the 2008-2009 National FFA Officer Team and heard Mike Rowe from the hit show Dirty Jobs deliver the keynote speech during the first general session.  The students visited the career show with more than 1,300 booths where they could discover numerous agricultural companies, careers and explore opportunities in postsecondary job training and education. 

When the students weren’t in the sessions or at the Career Show they were touring the Agricultural Industry in Indiana.  The tours took the group to English’s Buffalo Farm in Bainbridge, IN.  This farm raised Buffalo for meat production and the tour included seeing the animal management and sales practices of the farm.  Each student tried a Buffalo burger for lunch.  The second industry tour was to Hoosier Park in Anderson, IN to see the training and management of race horses.  The group toured the track, work areas, and barns at Hoosier Park.  While in the barn the students met with two owner/trainers of many of the horses in the barn toured.  After the tour the students had the opportunity to experience the fast pace action of horse racing by watching a race trackside.  The two tours were very educational and insightful to the animal industry of Indiana. 

Stephanie Johnson also represented the chapter in the Extemporaneous Speaking Event.  Last June Stephanie won the state career development event advancing her onto the National level.  Stephanie placed very well in this year’s contest and received a bronze award for her placement. 

 

Along with lots of learning the students had time to kick back and have fun at the Rodeo one night and enjoy meeting with members from across the country.    

 

The trip was enjoyable for all that attended.  Each student has many stories & laughs to share.

 

You can now get updates on Anderson FFA News on Twitter.  Check us out there. 

www.twitter.com/Anderson_FFA

                   Recent Awards

Anderson FFA-          Silver National Chapter Award
                                  Decorated convention stage

Annakate Waters- Elected as South Carolina FFA State Secretary

Stephanie Johnson-  1st place in state, Extemporaneus Speaking
Aly Austin- 2nd place in state, Job Interview
Anna Copelan- State FFA Degree
Tyler Walters- State FFA Degree
McClain Murphy- State FFA Degree

             Proficiency Award Winners

Aly Austin - Equine Science Entrepreneurship
Stephanie Johnson - Vegetable Production


Congratulations on all participants. GREAT JOB!!