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by Becca Bowland
Members of the Pattonsburg FFA Chapter were celebrating in Indianapolis and at home on Oct. 25 when their FFA Chapter was awarded a Star Plaque on stage at the 80th National FFA Convention.
Chapter President Kate Hangley and Chapter Secretary Tiffany deJong accepted the award on stage at the 2nd General Session of the FFA Convention in front of 41,000 FFA members and guests. The chapter was being recognized for its outstanding and constantly improving Program of Activities.
The title of Two Star National Chapter Award means the chapter has not only a state ranking, but also a new National rank, a first in chapter history. The chapter also celebrated three of its members being awarded the American FFA Degree on Oct. 27 in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. With over 51,000 members and guests in attendance, Andrew Hulet and Katelyn Hulet were raised to the highest level of the FFA Organization. Whitney Mason also earned her American Degree, but was unable to attend the convention. The state of Missouri had the largest number of American Degree recipients with 374 members earning their degrees.
Seven members and one advisor from Pattonsburg attended National FFA Convention, including; Kate Hangley, Alyssa Lambert, Tiffany de Jong, Becca Bowland, Haley Slessman, Travis Lowrey, Lindsey Lambert, and Advisor, Amy Holder. The members rode to Indianapolis on a charter bus with several other schools including Maryville, Princeton, Ravenwood, Hopkins, and East Buchanan.
While at National Convention, the members had the opportunity to do several activities. On Wednesday, they received a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where they toured the track, press box, and museum. Members toured the National FFA Center. Here they learned a lot about how the FFA started and how it affects us all. Members and guests had the opportunity to attend the Montgomery Gentry concert.
On Thursday, members traveled to the NCAA Hall of Fame. There they went on a tour, had a scavenger hunt, and learned more about all of the sports included in the NCAA. After that, members attended the Convention session where National officers and other guests gave inspirational speeches.
There was also a Career show at National Convention. Here, members and guests could go from station to station learning about different agriculture businesses and how agriculture affects us all. On Thursday night, members and guests attended a hypnotist show. Friday, members traveled to Louisville Slugger in Louisville, Ky. Each member who went through the tour also received a free souvenir bat. Everyone who attended this tour also learned how agriculture could even be involved in sports.
The group-traveled parts of rural Indiana to the Huber Orchard and Winery were the group toured a large and very diversified farming business. The tour of the farm, winery, orchard, and other facilities helped members learn more about the importance of diversified agriculture and helped members realize how many career opportunities there are available in the agriculture industry.
Throughout the week, members attended General Sessions