Students experience National FFA Convention

On Oct. 24-27, Hot Springs County High School students Hallie Martinez, Eli Dickey and Emme Norsworthy experienced the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

Martinez noted the students weren’t there to compete, but rather were there to support Jessie Pennoyer, who received her National FFA Proficiency Award in Beef Production-Placement and her American FFA Degree.

It was cool to see everyone there, Martinez said, and to meet people from all around the country. In particular, she was excited to see the FFA Creed speakers and the intensity at the National level as it will help her and the other freshmen who will compete in Creed Speaking next year.

Outside the convention, Martinez said they got to go to tour Churchill Downs, view a movie there and learn the history of the track.

“It’s overwhelming,” FFA Advisor Britton Van Heule said, noting there was a record 68,000 people there including students, advisors and guests. Speaking specifically to Pennoyer’s award, Van Heule was told .00029 percent of FFA members are finalists in proficiency awards. “It’s kind of a big deal she was a finalist.” A total 47 different proficiency award categories — with four finalists in each area — and each received a check for $500.

Martinez looks forward to returning to the National Convention. “It’s a whole lot of fun and it was crazy. It was really cool to see all the national officers and how much they do in order to make everything run smoothly.” Having seen Nationals, she’s been inspired to push for that level of achievement.

Van Heule said one of the things he’s discussed with school administration is pushing the proficiency awards with record books. “We want our kids to be achieving these national level awards.” As Pennoyer was the first finalist in the district, he said, it was important the younger students get to attend so they could set their sights on the Nationals.

He noted with the opportunity students have to do seventh grade Ag, by the time they’re in college they’ve got five or six years worth of records in their books which gives them a good chance of being competitive with kids across the country.