Hillsboro FFA attends 88th National FFA Convention

On Oct. 28, Hillsboro FFA members left at 7:30 a.m. for the 88th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky.

National FFA Convention is where FFA members from all 50 states, along with Puerto Rico gather together all at one place with the same love for agriculture. This year was the last year it will be held in Louisville. Starting next year, Convention will be held in Indianapolis.

Aside from attending the actual Convention, the members participate in multiple tours and events as well. Hillsboro FFA’s first stop was the Ed Mar Dairy Tour in Kentucky. Some other events that the chapter participated in was touring Kentucky State University, attending the Jake Owen and Maddie and Tae concert, touring Churchill Downs, watching a movie, as well as visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum.

The chapter also went to the annual Buckeye Bash that is held every year during National Convention. The Buckeye Bash is the gathering of all of the FFA members at convention who are from Ohio. At this event, the members dance to music and meet new people from Ohio.

One of the many honors of participating in National Convention is receiving the American FFA Degree. The Hillsboro FFA had multiple graduates come back to receive their American Degree. Michaela Chaney, Halee Allen, Morgan Oglesby and Alex Branscome all received their American FFA Degrees on Saturday, Oct. 31.

After the American Degree ceremony, the chapter attended the Ninth General Session. During the last session, the National FFA president gives their retiring address, and then the new National Officers are slated.

Throughout the week the national officer candidates go through an extensive interview process. This year Ohio’s National Officer Candidate was Sydney Snider from Felicity Franklin. During the Ninth General Session, Snider was elected as the 2015-2016 Eastern Region National Vice President.

After the excitement, the FFA Chapter returned home safely.

–Written by Erin Clark, Hillsboro FFA