2,000 members. One auditorium. One passion.
“I am so excited to go,” Charlee Friddle said.
The National Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA) hosts a state convention every April. The event is held at the College of Southern Idaho, about eight hours south of Lakeland High School.
The LHS and Timberlake High School’s (THS) FFA chapters will travel together. This year, they will set out on April 2 for the 93rd annual state convention.
According to the National FFA Organization, The Idaho State FFA Convention is a four-day celebration of their members’ leadership, personal growth and career success through competitive events, workshops, extensive group sessions, keynote speakers, talent exhibitions, community service and more.
Every year, the LHS FFA chapter advisor, Laura Kelley, chooses two delegates to represent the chapter at the convention.
Delegates all meet together to discuss daily problems and agricultural issues that may be happening in our community or state. This is an excellent opportunity for FFA members to have a voice.
Kelley chose Charlee Friddle and Zoie Davies to be her representatives this year.
“Being a delegate is a little daunting because I have never done it, but I am sure it will be fun,” Charlee Friddle said.
Last year, it was Madeline Andres and Lauren Peterson.
“I’m not very nervous,” FFA member Peyton Sardinha said. “I am more thankful because of the awesome opportunity I have.”
Official attire can be somewhat frustrating but also makes one feel powerful. From the nice dress shoes to the zipped-up jacket with the scarf tucked in. It is something that FFA members take pride in, as well as line dancing.
Walking into a session can go one of two ways. Either people are falling asleep because the awards have been taking forever, or everyone is dancing to Cotton Eye Joe.
Dancing during sessions gets everyone awake and ready for the day, as well as brings everyone together.
“I am looking forward to opening session because it has the most energy,” Charlee Friddle said.
The state officers give speeches, which can sometimes bring some water works along with them. Mainly because this is something that they have been working towards for a long time.
However, they have the opportunity to move on to more extraordinary things, such as being a national officer.
Being a part of FFA can open many doors and opportunities after high school.
It looks great on college applications and offers many different scholarship opportunities.
The state convention is an exceptional experience because every officer team makes it different.
There are also talent shows between awards, an incredible opportunity for young people to share their skills with their peers.
This year, LHS FFA is competing with a horse judging team, which they have never done before. Charlee Friddle is a little nervous about this since she will be instructing the team due to her experience in equine.
FFA inspired Charlee to look into being an equine veterinarian. This happened by visiting the vet tech center during the convention last year. There, they worked on big and small animals.
Another aspect of the convention is that they have a college fair based on agricultural professions.
This is also a great way to figure out what path they want to take in the future.
Agriculture is a broad umbrella of many different kinds of jobs.
People who work in agriculture protect our land, put food on our tables, make sure there are meat and animal products in our stores, ensure our food is healthy and safe for consumption, and so much more. Agriculture is vital to our communities. FFA educates young minds and turns them into people who will one day do the same for our towns, cities and states.
FFA is a unique thing to be a part of, and it is such a special place.
Being in an FFA chapter is like having a second famil. They all become close because they spend hours on buses and trips and hang out together during FFA events.
FFA isn’t like being a part of a sports team. It is more about being a part of something bigger. It holds the next steps for the future of farming and agriculture.
Every member has to learn the FFA creed. It is a five-paragraph long saying that every member must know. Each beginning sentence of each paragraph begins with “I believe,” and that is all it takes to make a difference.
