Day 3 at the 99th National FFA Convention started with another early morning and another day full of adventures for our Dime Box FFA officers!
We kicked off the morning with a visit to Victory Field before heading back to the convention center! Alex and Heather were on a mission to earn their final few pins needed to complete the National FFA Pin Challenge, so they made a stop at the Student Showcase. Meanwhile, Damaris was having a little fangirl moment over Tristin Parker!
And we have some exciting news… Heather and Alex officially collected all the signatures they needed to complete their challenge! Their determination to connect with FFA members from across the country has been so much fun to watch!
This afternoon, we enjoyed some rodeo action at the PRCA Rodeo presented by Three Hills Rodeo, followed by a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo!
We wrapped up another fun-filled day with dinner at… you guessed it… Texas Roadhouse! I guess you can take us out of Texas, but you can’t take the Texas out of us!
Another day of laughter, new experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime!
Oh, and one thing we’ve officially learned on this trip… apparently, the four of us are incapable of taking a decent group picture unless it’s a selfie!
Yesterday, we officially wrapped up our trip to Indianapolis for the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo and made our way back to Texas!
Our trip home came with a little unexpected adventure when our flight was delayed, but our officers were great sports about spending a few extra hours at the airport! Not a single complaint was heard! Instead, they took advantage of the extra time to catch up on some much-needed rest, work on assignments, and squeeze in a little last-minute shopping. By that point, we might have all been getting a little delirious, but it certainly made for some good laughs!
Alex even had the opportunity to visit with a former Area XII FFA officer and former Texas FFA State President! Of course, we had to get photographic evidence to show Heather what she missed while she stepped away!
On our way to the airport, we spent some time reflecting on the week, sharing our favorite experiences, discussing what we learned, and brainstorming ideas we hope to bring back to our chapter in the coming months. It was exciting to hear what stood out to each of them and how they hope to use those experiences to make a positive impact on our chapter.
One thing is certain: this trip was about so much more than attending a convention. We made connections, gained new perspectives, shared countless laughs, and created memories that will stay with us for years to come. Some of the most meaningful moments were ones we never could have anticipated!
Although we were a little sad to see our adventure come to an end, there truly is no place like home! We were especially excited to see the welcome-home sign waiting for us at the airport and, even more importantly, the familiar faces of those waiting to greet us, whether at the airport or back at school.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend events like National FFA Convention. Experiences like these allow our members to grow as leaders, build friendships, discover new opportunities, and bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm back to our chapter. Thank you to everyone who helped make this experience possible and supported us along the way!
As we head into a new week, we want to wish all of our students participating in cross country, volleyball, and BETA the very best of luck! We are cheering you on and wishing you success in all that you do! To our members and classmates heading into another busy week of school, we hope it’s a great one for you, too!
Photos and text by Mrs. Clifford.