ffanewhorizons.org Visit the Convention page for more photos, videos and stories.
record 25,000 fans. At the massive career show with exhibitors like John Deere, Ford Motor Company, Tractor Supply and hundreds of others, FFA members learned about agricultural careers and colleges to consider. NASCAR driver Ryan Newman even showed up at the U.S. Army display. Still left for FFA members to take in were the Career Success Tours to nearby agriculture companies, national-level career development events and professional rodeos. Finally, amid the usual general
session atmosphere featuring the dynamic laser show, fun videos and loud music, convention attendees witnessed the retiring addresses of the 2008-2009 National FFA Officer team. And then, they saw the nailbiting selection and election of the 2009-2010 National FFA Officers – President Levy Randolph of California, Secretary Bethany Bohnenblust of Kansas, Eastern Region Vice President Alexandria Henry of Michigan, Central Region Vice President Randa Braune of Texas, Southern Region Vice President Chelsea Doss of
Tennessee and Western Region Vice President Chase Rose of Montana. At that point, realizing all of the remarkable experiences FFA members had seen during four days in Indianapolis, I began to feel calm. Sure, thousands of us in Saturday morning’s American Degree Ceremony were “off and away” from our time in the blue jacket. But for so many more FFA members, the national FFA convention was a vast and encouraging experience destined to lead them to a better future – destined to let them “Lead Out Loud.”
Among the many lasting memories of the 82nd National FFA Convention are a motivational speech by Mike Rowe in the opening sessions, national-level FFA career development events like agricultural mechanics, the thrilling election of the 2009-2010 National FFA Officers, and plenty of opportunities to explore downtown Indianapolis.
FFANEWHORIZONS.ORG
FFA
NEW HORIZONS
11