Youth News
Oklahoma FFA Convention Kicks Off- We Talk to President Amy Peel
Tue, 27 Apr 2010 6:32:44 CDT
More than 10,000 Oklahoma FFA members representing 355 high school chapters across the state will be attending the 84th Annual State FFA Convention, April 27-28, at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City.
This year's convention theme is Lead Out Loud. Leadership is an important component of FFA. By exercising exceptional leadership skills, FFA members discover the significance of being a good role model, and most importantly, serving others. Through agricultural education and FFA, young people are truly living to serve by leading out loud. We talked in adance to this year's meeting with the current President of the Oklahoma FFA, Amy Peel of Wetumka. Click on the Listen Bar below to hear our conversation with Amy.
The state FFA convention is the culmination of the year's activities for FFA members.
It is an opportunity for individual awards and recognition, delegate business, officer elections and a celebration of chapter accomplishments. The Oklahoma FFA Foundation has raised approximately $250,000 this year from sponsors who will provide cash awards, scholarships, plaques and honor banquets to award winners and degree recipients. Title sponsors of the convention are Blue & Gold Sausage Company, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and the Oklahoma Ford Dealers.
The state FFA officers, a team of eight student leaders, plan the convention and conduct the official ceremonies. The 2009-2010 state FFA officers are Amy Peel, president, Wetumka; McKenzie Clifton, secretary, Kingfisher; Tara Burchfield, reporter, Fairview; Robby Branscum, northeast district vice president, Fort Gibson; Josh Goff, northwest district vice president, Woodward; Kelli Shenold, central district vice president, Ripley; Ariel LeForce, southeast district vice president, Broken Bow; and Emily Beanland, southwest district vice president from Hollis.
Delegates from each chapter will vote to elect the 2010-11 state FFA officer team.
Alexandria Henry, the current national FFA eastern region vice president, will attend the convention to provide a keynote address and workshop for Oklahoma FFA members. In addition to sharing the agricultural education message, Henry will encourage members to find their niche in the agricultural industry.
Oklahoma FFA degrees will be conferred on 683 members who, as a result of their agricultural and leadership achievements, have qualified for the State FFA Degree - the highest degree a state association can bestow upon its members. From this group, a State Star Farmer, State Star in Agribusiness and a State Star in Agricultural Placement will be named. In addition to student recognition, several adults will be cited for outstanding service to the FFA. The Honorary State FFA Degree will be presented to 81 individuals.
Other highlights will include the selection of champions in 50 agricultural proficiency award areas and 46 career development events, including public speaking and parliamentary procedure.
Educational and motivational speakers will provide keynote addresses to encourage members to persevere in their agricultural endeavors. Speakers include Mark Sharenbroich, who is considered one of the top-rated youth speakers of all time. Sharenbroich will inspire members by sharing his unforgettable leadership experiences. Krish Dhanam will also present a keynote address during the convention that will convey to FFA members the importance of setting goals.
A total of 14 workshops will be offered to provide students the opportunity for personal growth and leadership development. Workshops will provide a wide variety of learning, ranging from job interviewing and etiquette instruction to coaching chapter officers on how to "Serve Out Loud."
An exciting part of convention is the Ford Truck Giveaway. Every chapter that completes an extensive national chapter awards application will be entered in a drawing for the opportunity to win a new Ford Truck for their FFA chapter. The Oklahoma Ford Dealers Association sponsors the truck. The drawing will take place Wednesday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m. Past winners include FFA chapters in Achille, Amber-Pocasset, Drummond, Guymon, and Guthrie. Last year's state winner was the Thomas-Faye-Custer FFA chapter.
The FFA Career Show, held in conjunction with the convention, will bring more than 100 exhibitors to share with FFA members a vast array of educational opportunities, agricultural careers, and effective fundraising programs and products. These exhibitors represent business and industry, colleges and universities, agricultural products and services, and other diverse areas that support or are a part of the total FFA experience.
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