FFA members comment on FIRE conference

This month, students in Thermopolis FFA travelled to Douglas for a two-day conference. While some attended the Finding Inspiration Reaching Excellence (FIRE) conference, others attended the Chapter Presidents Conference.

While FIRE presents leadership workshops and helps students get the most from FFA, CPC focuses on helping students be more effective leaders for their local chapters. Both events provide opportunity for local FFA students to meet and work with students from around the state.

Tyne Vialpando stated, “Being part of the CPC conference allowed me to take away some more ideas to add to our chapter and what areas we can improve on. For example, we could expand our community service. An idea I was given was to donate fresh veggies we grow in our greenhouse to those who may not have the availability of getting fresh food.

“I really enjoyed the availability of bouncing ideas off of other chapters in the state. We also had a one on one session with our keynote speaker, and he renewed my ability to play while leading. It was refreshing to actually want to do something with no resistance.”

Vialpando would like to implement the community service and fundraising activities discussed during the session.

Though a senior and not able to attend the conference next year, Vialpando encourages all of the present and future chapter members to go. “It is honestly one of the quickest ways to become comfortable in awkward situations and really sets the tone for leadership. You also meet very funny people and enjoy yourself.”

Remington Ferree stated he learned leadership skills and teamwork, and his favorite part was meeting a lot of new people. He plans to use the teamwork skills he learned and to be a leader, and plans to return to the FIRE conference next year.

Oakley Bowman stated, “Some of the things I took from FIRE were how to start a conversation and how to be confident in what to talk about. My favorite part of FIRE was being able to meet new people and learn new leadership skills.

“I plan to be more self-confident in starting conversations around people I don’t know. I do plan to return!”

Barbara Kissel, who attended CPC, stated, “The one thing I took away from this conference is how I could become a State Officer and what they do as State Officers. Another thing I took from this conference was different tips on how I can make my chapter better.

“My favorite part about CPC was probably the different groups and committees that I was in. The one committee I was in was called State Officer Team Changing. In this committee we discussed whether or not the State Officer Team should change. The committee talked it over and we all decided that the team should stay the same because it was working. The things that I will bring back to my chapter were different ideas for community service. I plan to return to CPC next year.”