Fourteen Lorain County JVS FFA Chapter student members attended the 96th Annual FFA National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis to celebrate their accomplishments and find inspiration for their next steps.
Students participated in community service events and attended general sessions, educational tours, and leadership workshops.
The students spent their day of service at a local park where they trimmed shrubs, cleared away brush, and moved miscellaneous items for the park officials.
Attending this convention each year is important for Beth Berthold, Lorain County JVS FFA advisor and Landscape and Greenhouse Management instructor. “It is a great opportunity for students to see the bigger picture of agriculture and how one person can make a difference in the world. We listened to amazing motivational speakers, and it helped the students to see they are not alone in their love of agriculture.”
With more than 65,000 attendees, the FFA National Convention remains one of the world’s largest student events.
Kirby Herrera, a Landscape and Greenhouse Management junior from Columbia, shared her excitement about the event. “Attending the convention was a great opportunity to see just how much FFA can move and change people for the better. I felt like a kid in a candy store, looking at our national team and dreaming about one day, maybe I could be up there talking about the love and passion we all share for agriculture.”
Students who attended the 96th Annual FFA National Convention and Expo are listed by their associate schools below.
Amherst
Izabelle Ratcliff, Landscape and Greenhouse Management junior; Ryan Watkins, Landscape and Greenhouse House Management junior
Columbia
Kirby Herrera, Landscape and Greenhouse House Management junior
Elyria
Gwen Dennison, Landscape and Greenhouse House Management senior; Hannah Pressnell, Landscape and Greenhouse Management sophomore
Firelands
Jacob Bolyard, Landscape and Greenhouse House Management junior; Vayda Wiles, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics senior
Keystone
Joseph Hawkinberry, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics junior; Brayden Jackson, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics senior
North Ridgeville
Joshua Reffert, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics junior; Morgan Yaksic, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics junior.
Wellington
Elliot Barlow, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics junior; Alea Stewart, Landscape and Greenhouse House Management junior; Nathan Sword, Agricultural Equipment Mechanics senior