Submitted by Morgan Wurm
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Buckeye Central FFA Chapter took off on their week long journey to the 86th National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Kentucky to join along side the 63,000 members of the Blue and Gold in attendance.
The theme for the 2013 Convention was Ignite FFA. Encouraging members to ignite their passion and love for the FFA to better themselves, their communities, their state and their country.
The BC FFA traveled with two local schools, Wynford and Margaretta with a total of 47 students, four teachers, and five chaperones to accompany them on their trip.
When the group arrived in Louisville that evening, they attended the live stage performance of Dracula at the Bingham Theatre as part of the 50th year anniversary of the theatre.
On Thursday the group had a very eventful day starting off the morning by attending the first general session of the Convention where they heard the introduction of National FFA officers, and listened to the University of Louisville Cardinals head boys basketball coach, Rick Pitino speak about being positive people and becoming better members not only in the FFA but in society.
Next on the agenda for Thursday included a session with hypnotist, Dr. Jim Wand who pulled students and advisers on stage to be hypnotised. The BC FFA ended their night by attending the Buckeye Bash, a dance for Ohio FFA members to all gather, meet new people, and dance the night away.
Friday brought a whole new day of excitement for the BC Chapter as they toured Jim Beam to see how they operated, and how the same method’s of production have continued in the Beam family for 200 years.
After their Jim Beam tour, the students ventured to Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park, to jump, flip, dunk, play dodgeball and mingle with other students for an hour.
As they traveled back to the Convention center, they got to tour the Career Expo and watch fellow Wynford FFA member, Zach Stuckey, and Margaretta FFA member, Kaylee Kuns get mentioned for their American Proficiency Awards.
Saturday morning the group was up and about bright and early, they ended their trip by watching four Buckeye Central Graduates receive their American Degrees.
Receiving an American Degree is the highest degree bestowed in the FFA. It takes hours of hard work and dedication to achieve this award and the BC FFA chapter was ever so fortunate to have four members ignite their passion for the FFA.
The four members included, Cammie Auck, Jacob Clark, Chase Finney, and Dwight Shawk.
“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to go on this trip this year,” senior Jessica Cramer said. “I can’t wait until the day when I can become a role model for all of our younger FFA members by receiving my American FFA Degree.”