FFA Members Travel to National Convention
Indianapolis hosts over 55,000 FFA Members
by Tony Jensen
October 30, 2007
Four Freeman FFA Chapter members, along with Mr. Jensen and sponsor Jan Vanderbeek, headed to Indianapolis for the 80th National FFA Convention. This year’s convention, which is annually the largest youth gathering in the world, had a theme entitled “Blue Jackets, Bright Futures.” The FFA members attending included Jenna Vanderbeek, Aubrey Banks, Eric Rapp, and Kyle Schlake.
The group left the school on Tuesday morning and drove to Springfield, Illinois. On Wednesday, the group arrived in Indianapolis and toured the NCAA Hall of Champions. This visit included a video presentation on what it means to be a champion and different areas dedicated to the different NCAA sports. The highlight of the tour for the students was the interactive components, such as a machine that would indicate the speed of their fastball and a 1950’s basketball court for the students to shoot around.
After this tour, the group attended the opening session of convention, which featured the National FFA Advisor’s challenge, national officer reflections, and a keynote speech by Dr. Rick Grigsby. Dr. Grigsby is currently the chaplain of the Texas A & M football team and shared his contagious enthusiasm with the crowd. He talked about the need in this country for authentic leaders who want to make a difference around them, whether it is impacting one person’s life in your community or becoming the President of the United States. He also talked about using the wisdom of their parents, grandparents, and elders and encouraged FFA members to “make an impact, not an impression.”
On Thursday morning, the group started off the day by attending Waterman’s Farm Market. This market grows a variety of produce and vegetables and also offers family entertainment during the fall months by having pony rides, corn mazes, live music, and a pumpkin patch. Waterman’s Farm Market was developed within the city limits of Indianapolis and was a way of preserving their family farm.
Later on Thursday, the group headed to Hunter’s Honey Farm. While there, the students learned about bees, the bee hive, and how honey is produced and harvested. The students got to check out the equipment used in beekeeping, the hive itself, and the different machinery used to produce different products from honey or beeswax. Each students also got to make their own beeswax candle.
Thursday evening, the group attended the night session, where they heard Eastern Region Vice President Coty Back present his retiring address. Back talked about the importance of using the gifts we have each day and not thinking about what you dream to do someday. Rather, he encouraged students to use each day to the fullest and make a difference today.
On Friday, the group watched the National Creed Speaking Finals and had some time to take in the Career Show and the FFA Shopping Mall. In the evening, the group attended the National FFA Chorus and Band Concert, where Freeman’s Anna Jurgens performed with the Chorus. Then, the final session of the evening had Henry Winkler, more commonly known as “the Fons”, as a keynote speaker. Winkler discussed overcoming the challenge of dyslexia as a child and having the determination to succeed. He used the quote: “If you will it, it is not a dream.”
A special thank you to Jan Vanderbeek for driving the group, giving directions in Indianapolis, and sponsoring the group on this trip.
“It was a good trip,” said Mr. Jensen. “It is always good for students to meet people from around the country with similar interests and see what opportunities are available to them in FFA.”
To see more photos, click at the link to
the right. 
National FFA Convention
