Edison FFA members attend National Convention

Nine members of the Edison High School FFA traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, to participate in the 98th annual National FFA Convention and Expo held Oct. 28–31.

Accompanying the group were advisors Kelli Pridemore and Cori Griffith. They joined about 73,000 FFA members from across the country at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.

According to the National FFA Organization, the convention is one of the largest student gatherings in the world, with a mission to develop, educate and inspire. Students attended workshops focused on leadership, personal growth and career success, while educators participated in professional development sessions designed to provide new classroom ideas and activities.

The convention also featured educational tours covering topics such as agribusiness systems, animal systems, biotechnology systems, natural resources systems, and power, structural and technical systems. Members, teams and chapters were recognized for their achievements during the expo, which also included more than 300 exhibitors representing agriculture, colleges, fundraising, the U.S. Armed Services and auto and truck manufacturers.

Pridemore said the experience helped broaden students’ understanding of leadership and service. “The National FFA Convention exposes students to FFA on a national level. They were able to meet people from all over the country,” she said. “The students enriched their leadership skills and bonded through the week of travel.”

FFA members also attended a career fair and convention sessions that featured keynote speakers, national FFA officers and national FFA talent performances.

While in Indianapolis, the group toured Ozark Fisheries, took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Indianapolis Zoo, visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—where they “kissed the bricks” at the Brickyard—and attended a rodeo.