MOUNT VERNON — On Friday, Nov. 3, Mount Vernon FFA set off to the 96th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The convention took place from the 1st to the 4th and had a record-breaking total of 72,952 attendees represented from all 50 states. The convention annually highlights and awards members’ success through the FFA and agricultural education.
The Mount Vernon FFA Chapter took 20 members to the Convention.
Members that attended include Aaron Pryjda, Logan Fox, Damian Frazee, Gavin Briscoe, Vivian Noble, Anysten Vanhouten, Ansley Daubenmier, Brooklyn Dovenbarger, Emma Croghan, Layne Dailey, Jaxon Plumly, Jaelynn Plumply, Brie Dunaway, Jadyn Row, Kaden Awwiler, Madison Seng, Zeva Sheets, Kameron Poole, Mckenna Miller, and Orissa Humes.
On Friday, Members had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops, career shows, and an FFA shopping mall and expo. Members received information from colleges, ag businesses, and other organizations associated with agriculture.
There were 287 different exhibitor booths that members could explore and gain information from set up throughout the expo center. After spending time at the convention center the group then traveled to the Indiana State Fair Grounds to watch a showing of the World’s Toughest Rodeo.
After that, the chapter traveled to the Lucas Oil Stadium to attend the national FFA band, chorus, and talent performances and then the sixth general session of the convention. In the 6th general session, the chapter got to watch the retiring address of the Eastern Region Vice President, Grace Murphy, and see recognition of awards at the national level.
On Saturday, the group traveled back to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch Ashlyn Lust receive the American FFA Degree. During the convention, there were 4,423 American Degrees awarded.
Of these 457 were awarded to Ohio FFA members. The American Degree is the fourth and final degree that can be attained in the FFA and is awarded to less than 1 percent of the national FFA membership.
Requirements for the degree include earning at least $10,000 from SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) projects, productively investing at least $7,500, participating in FFA leadership activities, serving as an FFA officer or committee member, participating in FFA career development events, completing school and community activities, and having a satisfactory grade point average and school attendance.