Southwest Valley FFA Advisor Blake Anderson and four students phoned in from the road after the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis

Southwest Valley FFA Advisor Blake Anderson and four students phoned in from the road after the 99th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis

 

 

Southwest Valley agriculture instructor and FFA advisor Blake Anderson checked in with KCSI Friday morning while his group was still on the road home from the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The convention was still under way through Saturday afternoon, and more than 70,000 people were in attendance.

Anderson, in his 14th year of teaching, has been to the convention roughly 20 times — three as a student, three in college, and the rest as an advisor, with one year off. He called it a strong opportunity for the students.

Essex students

Bella Simmons, a senior at Essex, has been in FFA since her freshman year and was attending her second National Convention. She said her whole friend group made the trip, and the best part was simply being there and meeting people from other states. One tour that stood out was Seckes Farm, an apple orchard where the group learned how the farm produces juice and heard that the operation had recently added 35 acres.

Simmons plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa for elementary education and has already been accepted. Asked why education, she said she loves being with children and that the world needs more teachers. To younger students considering FFA, she said they would be missing out if they did not join.

Bentley Bowers, a sophomore at Essex, has been involved since he transferred to the school and was attending his third National Convention. He said FFA has helped him meet people and improve his public speaking. He liked the college expo, where schools from a range of fields set up booths, and the tours. Bowers is also involved in athletics, student council, and National Honor Society. He recommended the convention for anyone looking to meet people and explore careers.

Southwest Valley students

Dana Stormer, a junior at Southwest Valley, has been in FFA about five years and was on her second National Convention trip. She highlighted the Capitol tour — the group’s third or fourth of the week — and the scale of the opening general session. Stormer said she is considering a path in law but is still deciding

on the specifics. She is involved in multiple school organizations, plus volleyball and golf. She encouraged younger students to go because of the people they will meet on the bus and in the workshops.

Allison, also a junior at Southwest Valley and in FFA about five years, was attending her first National Convention. She said she liked a workshop on remembering people’s names — associating a face with something that sticks — and enjoyed watching the national officers during the general session. She plans to become a nurse; a couple of aunts are nurses, and one is a traveling nurse. She is involved in golf and softball and said she would definitely recommend the trip.