National Convention 2009

                On October 21^st -24^th, over 54,000 FFA members from across the nation flooded the streets of Indianapolis, IN for the 82^nd National Convention.  Students were able to participate in various competitions such as CDE’s, Public Speaking, and Talent.  They were able to attend different sessions that had keynote speakers such as Mike Rowe off of the show Dirty Jobs and were the new National Officers got elected.  Students were also able to attend different forms of entertainment such as bull riding, hypnotist, and a Toby Keith concert.  There was more than just fun at the convention too; delegates from every association had to debate various delegate issues ranging from Global Engagement to FFA New Horizons distribution and had to vote on constitutional amendments.

                Event though the actual convention did not start until Wednesday, October 21^st, the state officer team left on Saturday, October 17^th and arrived in Indianapolis the following day.  On Monday state officers and delegates participated in National Days of Service.  The state officers of Pennsylvania volunteered their time with Habitat for Humanity.  We helped put siding on the house of Markan Baxter.  Then on Tuesday, the delegates started with their delegate work.  The different delegate issues were: 1) Inclusion and Engagement of all Students, 2) Post Secondary Retention and Engagement, 3) Global Engagement, 4) Program Affiliations Options, 5) Alumni Engagement and Outreach, and 6) New Horizons Delivery Options.  Delegates were also able to attend a dinner sponsored by Wrangler later that night.

                Wednesday, October 21^st, started the real festivities at the 82^nd National Convention with the start of the Public Speaking and CDE competitions.  From the state officer team, we had Molly Walmer and Alexandria Spease represent Pennsylvania in Extemporaneous Public Speaking and Prepared Public Speaking respectively.  Molly received silver recognition and Alex received bronze recognition and we are very proud of them both.  Other results can be found at the Pennsylvania FFA website.  As well as the competitions, delegates had to continue on their respective issues.  Along with this, the FFA National Agricultural Career Show and FFA Shopping Mall opened this day.  The first opening session kicked things off with remarks from Mike Rowe as the first general session’s keynote speaker.    Also at the first general session along with others members of the National FFA Band and Chorus performed.  Representing Pennsylvania in the National Band was Morgan Jennings from Canton and Kerri Wickard from Shippensburg.  Representation in the National Chorus was Jenna Moser from the Philadelphia Chapter.  Students were able to see a hypnotist and attend the concert with the Eli Young Band and Toby Keith.

                On Thursday, October 22^nd, competitions continued and delegates continued debating their respective issues as well as voting on some of the National Constitutional Amendments which were to: 1) The process for Amending the National FFA Constitution and Bylaws, 2) American FFA Degree Requirements, and 3) National FFA Membership Dues.  The second and third general session were on Thursday where we heard retiring remarks from Nessie Early, the 2008-2009 National Secretary, and Riley Branch, the 2008-2009 National Western Region Vice President.

                On Friday, October 23^rd, the fourth, fifth, and sixth general sessions were held.  At the fourth general session, we heard the retiring remarks from Laila Hajji, the 2008-2009 National Central Region Vice President.  The Honorary America Degree ceremony took place at the fourth general session where Bill Wehry, Jean Lonie, and Dr. Tracy Hoover received their Honorary American Degrees.  There were also two other gentlemen that got their Honorary American, Dr. Robert Steele and Andy Rill, but were not able to attend National Convention.  Gerald Reichard also got a VIP Citation at this session.  At the fifth general session Regina Holliday, the 2008-2009 National Southern Region Vice President, gave her retiring address.  At the sixth general session, Hannah Crossen, the 2008-2009 Eastern Region Vice President, gave her retiring address.  The Agriscience Teacher of the Year got awarded to Mr. Paul Heasley from the Little Lions FFA Chapter at this session as well. 

                Finally on Saturday, October 24^th, at the eighth general session, the American Degree ceremony took place in the Lucas Oil Stadium.  Pennsylvania had 47 recipients of this degree.  Also on Saturday was the ninth and final general session.  We heard retiring remarks from Paul Moya, the 2008-2009 National President, and got to witness the installation of the new National Officers: Levy Randolph, President, from California, Bethany Bohnenblust, Secretary, from Kansas, Alexandria Henry, Eastern Region Vice President, from Michigan, Randa Braune, Western Region Vice President, from Texas, Chelsea Doss, Southern Region Vice President, from Tennessee, and Chase Rose, Central Region Vice President, from Montana.

                After a fun filled week, we left the streets of Indianapolis and headed back home Saturday night and got back to Pennsylvania Sunday afternoon.