FFA members participated in the national convention that took place in Louisville, Ky.

Many members join FFA because of  family traditions or just because it’s another group to be involved in.

“My sister was in FFA, so I’ve kind of been involved since I was in junior high,” said junior Elizabeth Taylor, chapter vice-president. “When I got to high school I definitely wanted to join because everything my sister did seemed so fun and I wanted to be part of it myself.”

Others feel that it will help their future in the business world.

“I joined FFA because it runs deep in my family and I believe in the future of agriculture. I strive to do my best to keep the FFA going with all my might, that’s why I joined FFA,” said sophomore Houston Brooks.

Senior Will Jones said he joined FFA because it is a good organization and he felt very welcome.

Going to the national convention gives students opportunities they don’t get locally.

“I’m really looking forward to spending time and getting to know people from other chapters, because we went with three other schools. Also just getting to experience the whole National Convention itself,” said  Taylor.

Freshman Keaton Douglas said he is looking forward to meeting a lot of different kinds of people from all different places.

Jones said he is looking forward to meeting many new people and becoming better friends with the ones he already knows.

For Brooks, it is the first time he has been to the national convention.

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends but also meeting new people from the other schools,” Brooks added.

FFA means different to different people and will affect everyone differently.

“FFA is more than the stereotypes people think, it’s a leadership development organization that helps with everything you’ll face when we get older and out of school. I’ve personally changed since i’ve joined. FFA is my family that I will carry with me the rest of my life,” Taylor said.

Douglas feels that FFA is very important  because it will help him in the future with college.

“To me FFA is the biggest and greatest student led organization in the world. FFA has had a great impact on my life including, learning speaking skills that FFA has taught me and not to mention all the scholarship opportunities,” said Jones.

Brooks thinks that many people misunderstand what the organization offers to students.

“FFA is not just a bunch or famers to me like some people may think,” Brooks said. “It is where friends come together and learn leadership and respect for people, but mostly farmers.”

This trip means learning even more skills that will affect them and help them in the future.

“This trip means learning even more leadership skills. Not only that, but reaching out with chapter from every state of the country. It’s an awesome and fun way to see how FFA really is an important organization country wide,”  Taylor said.

Douglas said this trip will give the local chapter a different outlook on things through the year and those who attend will bring back ideas to students who did not attend.

“The trip will give us a chance to try and bring back our personal experiences and share them with the chapter,” Jones said.

This convention is a big part of the year  for the FFA members and to some it really kicks off the year.

“To me this is the biggest and most exciting event of the whole year,” said Taylor. “It’s the biggest and most diverse activity we participate in.”

Jones said only a select few got to go to this convention from the chapter and and much work must be done ahead of time.