Westside Middle students attend national FFA convention

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October 27, 2009

Submitted by Westside Middle School

This past week over 50,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests descended upon Indianapolis, Indiana while millions more tuned into the 82nd National FFA Convention, themed “Lead Out Loud,” on RFDTV. Westside Middle School students Julia Cox and Baylee Brock, accompanied by advisor Sarah Duckworth were among the thousands in attendance representing thousands of FFA chapters from the all 50 states and Puerto Rico as awards were presented to deserving chapters and members and new National FFA Officers were elected. The past year saw one of Georgia’s own FFA members, Regina Holiday, as a national officer. Miss Holiday gave an inspiring retiring address to those in attendance. Her message urged others to give of themselves with meaning, a theme stressed by the FFA as community service is a major part of each chapter’s responsibilities. She stressed that everyone, regardless of skill, wealth, or ability could give something, could sacrifice for the good of others. Even if the gift was a small as a smile to a stranger or friend having a bad day, every one was capable of contributing to a better world. She recalled how her grandfather gave of himself with genuineness to those who visited his grocery establishment. This sacrifice was evident as hundreds attended his funeral with stories of his generosity and sincerity. She stated that his life inspired her to live a life giving whatever she could to improve the lives of those around her.

In addition to hearing from Regina Holiday, members were also treated to a visit from Mike Rowe, star of the Discovery Channel’s hit show, Dirty Jobs. In his address to FFA members, Rowe revisited his most memorable moments and lessons within his travels as “the guy that would try any job, no matter how dirty.” Rowe revealed his support of the FFA and what this organization stands for by stating that America needs to know and appreciate from where and how its food and resources get to our homes. Rowe stated that without committed students who have a passion for agriculture and all the industry means to our livelihood, this country would be crippled as the youth are responsible for our future as well as fulfilling those “dirty jobs” that make civilized life possible. Rowe recalled a psychologist who voluntarily left the profession to become a septic tank specialist because he valued the utility of the job. Rowe reported that this man took much pride in being the best in his line of work and that without committed men and women like him, our civilized world would be drastically changed and quality of living much effected.

Students were also exposed to some memorable musical experiences. Toby Keith treated FFA members with an extreme concert at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday night. He performed several of his current hits as well as the classics from his early career such as “I Should have been a Cowboy.” It was a unique experience as students sang in unison with Keith; both Brock and Cox stated that this event was a highlight of their experience. In addition to a Toby Keith concert, Brock and Cox were also treated to a visit to the Grand Ole Opry in route to Indianapolis. Tuesday night students were introduced to the history of this epic establishment with a visit to the Grand Ole Opry Hotel before the show. There they toured the hotel and enjoyed the beautiful horticultural displays throughout the infrastructure. Performing at the Opry were Jean Shepherd, Bill Anderson, Danielle Peck, James Otto, and of course, Little Jimmy Dickens.

Between sessions of the convention, an extreme career fair was available to students in which hundreds of booths full of colleges from across the country and businesses which support agriculture and the FFA offered information, pens, toys, and other items free of charge to students. Brock and Cox were especially excited to see the NASCAR simulator and huge John Deere and International Harvester tractors with wheels taller than the students themselves. Dodge, Chevrolet, and Ford also put on huge displays of trucks and cars, allowing students to sit in them, take pictures with them and take freebie logo items by the bag-full. Agriculture research and livestock organizations were also there sharing with students the career choices and job availabilities with these fields as well as promoting awareness of agriculture issues affecting their industries.

After the career fair and sessions were over, students enjoyed downtown Indianapolis’ restaurants such as The Hard Rock Café, Buffalo Wild Wings, and several other cafes and steak houses not available in the Rocky Face-Dalton areas. By the end of the week, however, both students and advisor were desperate for some sweet tea as most restaurants in Indiana do not serve tea sweetened. Students also toured the city and took in the sites like tourists. The city of Indianapolis did a spectacular job of welcoming the FFA by renaming the main street “FFA Way” and posting posters, signs, and banners throughout the city with the FFA symbol and “Welcome FFA” proudly displayed. Students were amazed at amount of signage and felt welcomed into the vast city. Also warranting the students’ attention was the steam coming from sewers which they had never seen before, the high density of traffic and people, and the walk signals on the sides of the roads which they became very proficient in using as walking was the main mode of transportation inside city limits.

Also, students toured the National FFA Center in Indianapolis where they viewed historical documents and pictures as well as enjoyed a free gift for visiting and took pictures with life-sized cut-outs of the National FFA Officers. This Center houses pictures of every national officer team since the early 1900s and details the FFA’s transition from not allowing anyone but white males to its present state of welcoming all races and women into the folds of the organization. Brock and Cox enjoyed viewing the antique FFA jackets and memorabilia as they mingled with members from all over the United States inside the halls of the center.

As FFA members, students are encourage to try different things, experience varying experiences, and get out of their comfort zone to test their skills and abilities to find new interests, skills, and friends. This trip to Indianapolis and the National FFA Convention was made possible by such an attitude as students gracefully handled new experiences at every turn. Both Cox and Brock have been challenged by their advisor to return to school and share their experiences with their peers and “Lead out Loud” as examples to other students who may not have gotten involved with FFA at Westside yet and to current members who could be more involved with the chapter’s activities.