Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, the place where many famous singers and performers have walked, and the host of the National FFA Convention, the biggest FFA event in the United States. Nearly 70,000 high school students, all sporting their blue corduroy, and showing their state and chapter pride. Lewis Cass FFA attended the convention this past week, bringing fourteen of our officers and members. The members learned more about what FFA entails, which may not be as highlighted compared to others. 

     Lewis Cass FFA has attended the National Convention for 45 years. This year was the 98th consecutive year of the National Convention. Lucas Oil Stadium has been hosting since around 2006. Although there was a break from 2012-2016, the convention has been back at Lucas Oil ever since. This year at convention, students were also informed that Indianapolis will continue to host the event until 2040. Every year, there is a similar but different agenda. The first day of the convention usually consists of students walking around the Indianapolis Convention Center, checking out the endless number of stores, talking to different agricultural-related college booths, and exploring downtown Indianapolis. There was also a concert and a rodeo that day as well. Depending on the chapter’s advisor, most students are allowed to go get food, explore, and enjoy the sights of downtown Indianapolis. The second day is the most important day for most; the keynote speaker comes to speak knowledge to 70,000 students, and Mayor Joe Hogsett of Indianapolis also attends. The first keynote speaker this year was A’ric Jackson. Jackson spoke about the impacts of life and what comes along with it may be challenging, but you have to push through it and chase all of the dreams you have. During the second day, after the keynote, students were set loose to explore more and learn more about FFA. The third and final day, for some of the students, including Lewis Cass FFA, students attended another keynote session, with the session being led by Coach Kiah. Many students said that this speech was moving and one of the best speeches they have ever heard. After this, FFA members did the normal day-to-day schedule. Walking around with friends, meeting new ones from all over the US, sticking clothespins on people, and enjoying the positive atmosphere. Although some students did not attend the fourth day, this day was dedicated to the American Degree award ceremony, the highest degree an FFA member can achieve. Our very own 2023 Lewis Cass alumnus, Keenan Appleton, received his American Degree this year. Lewis Cass was also recognized as a two-star chapter. 

     Isabella See, a junior who has been involved in FFA for many years, attended the National Convention this past week. She said, “This is not my first year going to the National Convention. I went as a freshman.” Lewis Cass decides who is eligible by officer position and FFA points. Usually, the top ten on the leaderboard are automatically eligible to attend. Isabella was asked to pick her favorite part of the National Convention. She said, “My favorite part was visiting the vendors and learning about businesses and college booths from across the country.” The opportunity that this event holds for many students is mind-blowing. All of the tents and stations filled up the building with only narrow aisleways for thousands of people to walk through at once. The Culver’s custard stand always had a mile-long line, and students walked around with more bags than anyone could imagine. Junior, Rebekah Birkey, attended the National Convention for her second year as well saying, “My favorite part of the National Convention was getting the opportunity to see members of FFA from places all over the United States. I thought it was very cool when my group ran into some people from Hawaii.” Many students made it their mission to either get signatures from every state or take a picture with the back of their jacket. Birkey also said, “I wish that our FFA chapter were able to stay the night somewhere near Indianapolis so we could have attended more sessions or maybe even the concert or the rodeo.” 

     Although many students who had their hearts set on attending could not due to some of our members being at the National Livestock Judging in North Carolina, one of our seniors, Trinety Gillem, was able to attendthe  convention for one last time. Trinety said, “I will miss getting to see the different jackets from all over the nation, and seeing all the different colleges, and jobs at the Expo.” Our FFA advisor in attendance, Mr. Plank, usually does not attend the National Convention, but due to the amazing Cass Kings football, Plank had to stay back to fulfill his coaching duties, while Mr. Appleton joined the livestock judgers in North Carolina. Plank said, “The FFA National Conventions are beneficial to students in a lot of ways. First off, it is the only event I know of where 70,000 members from across the country gather in the same place. This can lead to all kinds of opportunities to meet new people and learn about their part of the country or experiences in FFA.” He also mentioned, “Secondly, it is the largest college and career show with over 300 companies and colleges for students to network and learn about. Students can explore career ideas and colleges all in one spot. Lastly, the National Convention is beneficial because students get to realize that FFA is nationwide and that people come from all across the country to compete or visit the convention. On top of that, the keynote speakers are usually pretty inspiring.”

      Whether students spend their time walking around or learning more about FFA, the National FFA Convention is an event where 50 states can join together as a family.Junior,  Lilly Hammond said, “Getting clipped, playing rock paper scissors with people through the steak and shake window, long bus rides, gas station stop, having not nearly enough supervision on the street of downtown indy, waiting in outrageously long lines for mediocre food, getting clothes pins clipped to you with random people’s numbers,  listen to a GREAT keynote speaker, getting as many free items as possible, it is a great time.” The organization cannot wait for its 99th year, and hopes to have as amazing an attendance as they did this year. As the reporter of the Lewis Cass FFA, I always say, “The FFA is a National organization that reaches from the state of Maine to Hawaii, and from Alaska to the Virgin Islands.” The Lewis Cass FA cannot wait to represent their state and chapter in November 2026.