MILLERSBURG, Ohio — The West Holmes FFA chapter traveled to Louisville, Ky. Oct. 30-Nov. 2 for the national convention.
Members who attended were Clay Armstrong, Atlee Miller, Chris Sprang, Justin Lorentz, Eric Hanna, Jason Jenkins, Takoda Weaver, Dustin Neihaus, Carter Smith, William Hughes, Wyatt Mellor, Mandy Taylor, Beth Klein, Shyann Kick, Harlie Spurlock, Paige Miller, Lyndsey Davis, Payten Boring and Taylor Yerian.
Clay Armstrong was named a National Proficiency Finalist in forage production. Derek Reutter, Kyle Hanna, Travis Campbell, Marshall Overholt and Casey Schlauch all received their American degrees.
* * *
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Zane Trace and Paint Valley started the trip to the National FFA Convention Oct. 30.
Zane Trace had 34 people attending and Paint Valley had 10 people attending. Their first stop on their journey to Louisville, Ky., was to Jungle Jim’s, the largest single story grocery store in America. Here, they had a tour where they got to try a wide variety of foods, such as cheesy worms, dragon fruit, and sushi.
Once the bus arrived in Louisville, they headed straight to the Kentucky Expo Center for the FFA Career Show.
“It was really cool to see what all I can do in agriculture once I get out of high school,” said Ann Shelby.
There were over 50,000 FFA Members at the opening session. The speaker Rick Pitino, coach of University of Louisville men’s basketball team, came and spoke to the FFA members about how to communicate properly, and how important good communication skills are necessary in their lives.
The following day the Zane Trace and Paint Valley members went to Marengo Caves to go spelunking, also known as caving. This was a first for many members.
Sudents also traveled to the Louisville Stoneware tour. There, students had a chance to use their creativity to paint their own pottery.
Following dinner and a hypnotist show, chapter members got to hang out with FFA members from all over Ohio at a dance called the Buckeye Bash.
The group traveled to Whole Foods and an old-fashioned candy shop called Schimpff’s Confectionary, where the FFA chapters were shown how to make cinnamon drops.
Zane Trace had four members compete in National Agri-Science Fair. Mariah Cox received a silver rating, Nathaniel Freeman received second place with a gold rating, and the team of David Glass and Audrey Hoey won third as a national finalist in the Food Science category.
