MVCTC FFA Attends the 88th Annual National FFA Convention

MVCTC FFA Members attending the 88th Annual National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY, October 28-31, 2015. Back row (left to right) – Olivia Mt. Castle (Tri-Village), Dakota Cox (Tri-County North), Abigail Nealeigh (Arcanum), Zak Peele (Franklin Monroe), Cheyenne Johnson (Dixie), David Grant (Northmont), Nick Wheeler (Milton-Union). Front row (Left to right) – Mikhala Martin (Northmont), Lyndsey Carmack (Miamisburg), Lauren Muncy (Eaton), Makayla Reeder (Valley View), Brianna Ellish (Bethel).

Englewood, Ohio – The Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) FFA sent 12 students to the National Convention in Louisville, KY October 28 – October 31, 205. The theme of this year’s convention was AMPLIFY. Amplify was meant to show FFA members that they should amplify their goals, their life, and their voice.

The MVCTC students left campus on Wednesday, October 28, and visited the Newport Aquarium and the Kentucky Motor Speedway on their way to Louisville. The first night of the convention included a concert at the KFC Yum! Center by Jake Owen and Maddie & Tae. Over 60,000 FFA members and guests were expected to be at the 88th Annual National FFA Convention.

Nine general sessions brought FFA members together at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Students had countless opportunities to engage exhibitors from more than 450 corporations, organizations and colleges at the expo inside the center. Other events were held at venues downtown, in the suburbs and beyond.

This year marked the 85th anniversary of the National FFA Creed as well as the 50th anniversary of the merger of New Farmers of America, an agricultural organization for African-American students, with the National FFA Organization.
The convention and expo kicked off with keynote speaker Rick Rigsby during the opening sessions on Oct. 28 and 29. On Friday afternoon students attended the National Chapter Session and watched as fellow MVCTC Ag program at Miami East High School won a 3 star and Model of Innovation in Student Development Award!

Throughout the week, students attended more than 70 leadership and personal growth workshops. FFA members toured industry destinations, including Ford's Louisville assembly plant, Churchill Downs, and more. Students also attended the World’s Toughest Rodeo and the Louisville Mega Caverns.

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

For over 40-years, MVCTC has been providing career technical education for 27 partner school districts encompassing five counties in Southwest Ohio. MVCTC is dedicated to providing in-demand workforce training for youth, adults, and organizations in the Miami Valley.

For more information about MVCTC, visit www.mvctc.com.