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Two FFA members enjoy the fun as convention newbies

Two FFA members enjoy the fun as convention newbies

From small rural areas to the biggest stage of the National FFA Organization, these ladies experienced it all for the first time! Meet Lilliana Parks and Sarah Jones, two FFA members who were first-time attendees with their respective chapters at the 97th National FFA Conference last week.

From Weaver, Alabama, Greenhand FFA Chapter Parks traveled over nine hours to Indianapolis for a week full of lifelong memories. And just over 2,000 miles west of Alabama is Jones, district historian for the North Upper Snake River District FFA in Rigby, Idaho. She traveled nearly 1,600 miles to reach the Indiana Convention Center.

As a freshman in high school, Parks has already reached incredible heights. Not only was she able to attend the meeting for the first time, but she also participated in the leadership development event “Conduct of Chapter Meetings” at the national level.

Two FFA members enjoy the fun as convention newbiesTwo FFA members enjoy the fun as convention newbies
Image courtesy of Lilliana Parks

While the car ride there was full of fun and exciting stops, like a tour of Chaney Dairy Barn in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and some time shopping at the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, Tennessee, Parks said, “I started to get nervous at three.” Hours outside of Indianapolis.”

But she and her team were prepared. “We’ve been working hard to prepare for Nationals!” she exclaimed.

In the end, the team achieved a silver finish as top 25 in the nation. That moment and all the preparation for the competition made Parks proud of herself and her chapter. In fact, it was the competition itself that originally interested her in the National FFA Organization.

National FFA RodeoNational FFA Rodeo
Image courtesy of Lilliana Parks

What kept Parks’ excitement going was attending the Friday night rodeo with her chapter colleagues.

“My favorite moment was the rodeo; I enjoyed watching all the people cheering for their favorite driver.” But that wasn’t all! “I also enjoyed the new experiences, spending time with my chapter and making friends with other chapters.”

Parks said she found the opportunity to meet others from around the world exciting and took the opportunity to talk to them and hear their stories.

While these ladies are similar in that this is their first national convention and they are members of the FFA, their travel experiences are very different. Sarah and the Sugar-Salem FFA from Idaho first flew to Kentucky and then drove to one of Tennessee’s most famous attractions: Dollywood!

Sarah Jones Idaho LouisvilleSarah Jones Idaho Louisville
Image courtesy of Sarah Jones

Jones said these activities and sightseeing areas of Indiana and the convention center were her favorites.

“My favorite tour was the newsroom, where we stood above everyone else during the opening session and saw where FFA Live is filmed,” she said. “It was also really cool to be involved in marketing because that’s a future career that I’m interested in.”

While many people were in attendance to receive their American degrees, compete in a national competition, or just shop and socialize, Jones was on hand to be on the Student Showcase stage and present her SpeakAg video.

Sarah expressed, “It was a good first experience because I didn’t have a lot of stress, but I was still able to have the experience of doing something that I did.” We also had a marketing team compete against each other that we watched and we had a lot of fun watching all their hard work.”

Sarah Jones Stage FFA ConventionSarah Jones Stage FFA Convention
Image courtesy of Sarah Jones

Even in these situations, pride in yourself and the chapter is paramount. Even though the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo has come to a close, everyone in attendance is still reminiscing. As first-time participants, these ladies now know what to expect and do when they participate next year!

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