Fourteen Members of the Macks Creek FFA are having a blast at the 96th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Ella Marshall, Leanna Tower, Morgan, Kassidy Campbell, Calvin Eidson, Ava Willis, Eva Willis, Ashlee Klinksick, Lexi Yarbor, Brooklyn Green, Trenton Arnold, Wyatt Brooks, Ty Glawson and Owyn Charlon hosted various fundraisers and worked hard to fund this trip. They would like to thank everyone who pitched in and made it possible!
The National Convention website (https://convention.ffa.org/) shared the following about our students' adventure: "The National FFA Convention & Expo is all about growing the next generation of leaders. No matter where you are in FFA, you’ll find inspiration and direction to become a leader and influencer, ready to make an impact. During this event, find out who you are, who you want to become and how you can change how the world grows."
The group departed from school early Tuesday morning. If you have an instagram account you can follow along with their journey. The group shared the following post Tuesday morning:
The students stopped in Casey, Illinois to take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch at Richard's Farm Restaurant.
Casey is the home of the world's largest mailbox, rocking chair, seesaw, pencil, golf tee, antlers and more. Richard's Farm Restaurant is the home of the world's largest pitchfork pictured below:
While at the convention the group stayed at a scenic VRBO in nearby Hope, Indiana where they were able to enjoy a fire pit and supper.
The group had a very busy day yesterday getting up early and heading to Indianapolis where they spent the morning touring the FFA EXPO. The convention website shared "more than 300 exhibitors representing agriculture, colleges, fundraising, the U.S. Armed Services and auto and truck manufacturers will greet attendees in the Indiana Convention Center for the 2023 National FFA Expo. There’s something for everyone: Members will discover many agricultural careers and explore opportunities in postsecondary job training and education. Chapter advisors can gather ideas and new materials for their classrooms."
After attending the EXPO the group posed for a photo in front of Lucas Oil Stadium.
Next the group attended the opening ceremony for the Convention. Our students heard a presentation from Juan Bendana. Juan, as shared on the convention's website "is a renowned speaker, author, and DJ, who lights up high school and university campuses worldwide, along with international conferences. With a captivating presence, he addresses over 50,000 students, educators, and parents annually across Canada and the United States. As the Founder of The 100 Day Playbook, he guides students to forge better habits, enhance productivity, and optimize their lives. Beyond his impressive accomplishments, Juan’s diverse background as a former snowboard instructor and sushi aficionado, coupled with his ability to recite every word of the Lion King, adds a unique flair to his persona." Here is a post from the FFA Instagram account from the opening ceremony:
The group finished out the day with a trip to Back Nine Golf where they had a lot of fun taking turns on the driving range. Here are several photos of the action:
Today, the group will tour Indy Speedway before heading to Rascal's Fun Zone. We will share more photos of this year's trip to the National Convention soon. Stay safe and have fun Pirates! #MCPirates