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More Feature Articles

January 2010
-Creature-Focused Careers
-Former Members Reflect: Dr. Dwight Armstrong
-Levy Randolph
-Safety on Speed Dial
-Preserving Their Culture
-Off and Away

November 2009
-Former Members Reflect: Emilie Bocker
-Turn That Down!
-Car Smarts
-So Much Cooler Online
-Laila Hajji
-The Water Way
-A Greater Cause

June 2009
-Stretch Your Summer Income
-Riley Branch
-Turn That Down
-Behind-The-Scenes Star

May 2009
-Welcoming Women
-Regina Holliday
-Job Interview Jitters
-So Much Cooler Online
-Questioning Your College Choices?

-A Can-Do Attitude
-Former Members Reflect: Michele Payn-Knoper

April 2009
-Hannah Crossen
-Cowboy Book With a Cause
-From FFA to 33Miles
-There’s Cash in Your Future
-I’m Angry…Now What?
-For the Love of Landscaping
-Perfect Balance
-Gardening For A Cause

February 2009
-Blue-Ribbon Banjo Player
-FFA as an Art Form
-Wild About Animals
-Nessie Early
-Be a PAL
-Full Throttle
-Living to Serve
-Special Invitation

January 2009
-All About National FFA Week
-Paul Moya
-Justin Floyd
-Partners for the Planet
-Finding Balance
-Swimming in Aquaculture
-Breaking Records
-Take It Slow

December 2008
-National FFA convention to rotate homes

November 2008
-Dr. Al Snyder
-Scholarship Secrets
-Gear Up for National FFA Week
-Kari Boettcher
-Resist Peer Pressure
-Good to the Last Crop
-All Creatures, Great and Small
-Sparking Interest

September 2008
-Agriculture Accuracy
-Crissa Fruechte
-Brady Revels
-Get Up!
-Proceed With Caution
-All in Good Taste
-Clutch Performance
-Step Right Up

July 2008
-Take It to a New Level
-Deep-Rooted Interest
-Take a Deep Breath
-Tyler Tenbarge
-Inspired by FFA
-On the Right Track

May 2008
-In the Vault
-Your Money: Keeping Records
-National Officer Q&A
-We’re All Unique
-Best in Show
-Grab Life by the Reins

March 2008
-Call to Order!
-Reality Check
-Turtle Power
-By the Numbers
-Dale Darling
-A Token of Appreciation
-National Officer Q&A

January 2008
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Paul McCutchan
-Building Bright Futures

November 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Corey Flournoy
-Biofuels Mean Business
-Go, Team, Go
-A Tractor Tradition

October 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Kristie VerMulm
-Give them an A+
-Cranberry Crazy
-Racing to Indy

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FFA Feature

Breaking Records

Wrap-up from the 81st National FFA Convention

January 2009

It’s official! More people attended the 81st National FFA Convention than ever before, with a record-setting attendance of 54,731 FFA members and guests. 

In its third year in Indianapolis, the national FFA convention once again brought together blue jackets from across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for the nation’s largest student gathering.

With inspirational keynote speeches, leadership-building workshops, competitive awards contests, and community service projects – there was something for everyone at this year’s convention.

The week started off on the right foot, as the National FFA Band and Chorus led the FFA Grand March down FFA Way to the beat of “Hey FFA!” But the music didn’t stop there. The start of the opening session revealed the 2008 national convention theme song, an ’80s-style rock song highlighting the convention theme, “Step Up. Stand Out.”

A new and improved laser show pumped up the convention arena before each session, brought back to the event partly by student-led lobbying efforts throughout the past year.

Hollywood stuntwoman and Olympic gold medalist Dana Hee gave the keynote address during the first session, encouraging FFA members to face their fears.

“From life to the Olympics to Hollywood, I’ve found it is so easy to step up in life if you just take that one step of courage,” Hee said.

Hundreds of FFA members took a step in the right direction by dedicating their time in Indy to helping others during the 2008 National FFA Days of Service. After the overwhelming amount of student involvement last year, another day and new sites were added to the schedule. Students spent their days volunteering with local organizations like Gleaners Food Bank, Indy Parks and Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few.

Back at the Indianapolis Convention Center, the 42nd annual FFA National Agricultural Career Show was crammed with students in search of giveaways, college advice and future job opportunities.

Located next to the FFA Shopping Mall, the career show boasted more than 400 booths representing agricultural universities, companies and automobile manufacturers. To expand their career learning, many members participated in educational tours, which included visits to places like Conner Prairie, the Indianapolis Zoo, Purdue University, Integrity Biofuels and the Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

Brand-new facilities in Indianapolis also improved the convention experience. For the first time, the American Degree ceremony was held at Lucas Oil Stadium (the new home of the Indianapolis Colts), which opened two months before convention kicked off. Lucas Oil Stadium also housed the food court and the concert stage where the entertainment highlight of the week took place.

On Wednesday night, James Otto opened for country superstar Taylor Swift, who took the stage and performed for a crowd of 23,000 FFA members and guests. 

“My name is Taylor Swift, and I am a proud FFA member!” she exclaimed during the concert.

A former member of the Hendersonville FFA Chapter in Tennessee, Swift encouraged students to “stand out” by working hard and following their dreams.

FFA members showed off their own musical talents in the FFA Talent Revue on Thursday. Nearly 20 acts ranging from an acoustic guitarist to a flaming baton twirler performed for an enthusiastic audience.

Even 2007-08 National FFA President Zach Kinne kept the FFA rhythm alive, as he fiddled on stage during his retiring address, titled “You-niquely Used.”

“We can’t be apprehensive about using our abilities to help others,” Kinne said. “The true meaning and extent of our talents, abilities, and gifts truly shine when we use them to serve.”

Members learned about ways to serve in the convention workshops, hosted by past national and state officers, conference presenters and industry professionals.

Workshop attendees used hands-on methods to plan for college, improve their online skills, and gain tips on sharing the agricultural message in their own communities and learning to lead.

The six newly elected national officers are now learning to lead as they serve the FFA membership. After an intense selection process, including five rounds of interviews and a written exam, the new national officers were announced from a pool of 38 candidates.

The 2008-09 National FFA Officers include President Paul Moya from New Mexico, Secretary Nessie Early from California, Eastern Region Vice President Hannah Crossen from Ohio, Central Region Vice President Laila Hajji from Oklahoma, Southern Region Vice President Regina Holliday from Georgia, and Western Region Vice President Riley Branch from Texas.

Throughout the year, these leaders will encourage and inspire FFA members across the country to stand out in their chapters, schools and communities. 

Story by Kelliann Blazek

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