Six LBHS FFA attended Nationals
Six students of the Lord Botetourt FFA chapter attended the National FFA convention in Indianapolis IN the week of October 22nd-27th. This year was a record attendance with over 68,000 members, advisors and guests in attendance. While at convention students have the opportunity to show off their skills in various Career Development Event (CDE’s), attend sessions with key note speakers including the President of the United States, be entertained by the national band and chorus, and see fellow FFA members recognized for their accomplishments over the past year. This year Maddie Badgley, Reagan Hall, Lauren Gentry, Tess Siebel, Claire Seibel, and Aviana Wilson attended the convention representing the Lord Botetourt FFA.
Claire and Tess Seibel both represented the Virginia FFA Association, Claire is currently serving as Vice President of the association and Tess is the Past President. During the convention Tess was the candidate from Virginia running for national office. This is a vigorous interview process that is open to only one individual for each state and territory including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Just to be selected as a candidate Tess had to go through an intense interview process and beat out other candidates vying for this esteemed honor. Although Tess was not selected as one of the six national officers she did manage to get though the cutoff round to be counted in the elite few that were running for one of only six positions. Claire served as a delegate for the state of Virginia and was named as the National Winner of the Diversified Agriculture Proficiency Award. In recognition she received a plaque and a check for $1000.00.
Regan Hall competed in the National Creed Speaking Competition. Creed speaking is one of 25career/leadership development event areas, covering jobs skills in everything from communications to mechanics. The Creed Speaking CDE is designed solely for members who qualified while in the seventh, eighth or ninth grade. The outstanding FFA members are recognized for their ability to memorize and present the FFA Creed then answer questions on the meaning and purpose of the Creed. CDEs and LDEs help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effectively in a competitive job market. In the competition she received a Bronze rating.
The remainder of the time at convention was spent touring one of the largest Career Shows put on for youth in the United States. Including many sponsors of the FFA and colleges from across the United States. Shopping at the exclusive FFA Mall, touring the Indiana State Museum, attending a FFA Members only concert put on by Garth Brooks, seeing a championship rodeo, and attending various workshops and sessions.
–Submitted and photos by LBHS FFA
