Press Release To: All Local Media
Fr: Crothersville FFA Chapter
Re: National FFA Convention
Date: 10/27/01
The Crothersville FFA Chapter journeyed to Louisville, Kentucky on Wednesday morning for the first day of the 74th National FFA Convention, along with more than 45,000 FFA members from across the nation and commuted back everyday after that to attend the convention.
On Wednesday, the chapter attended the Agricultural Career Show, with more than 350 ag. supporter exhibitions, including Jackson Countys Rose Acre Farms, and the Bull Bash, a bull riding rodeo, featuring cowboys from all over the country.
On Thursday, the chapter took an Indiana State FFA picture with more than 1,500 members and attended the first general session, featuring ESPN anchor, Dick Vitale. The chapter also toured Churchill Downs, and Papa Johns Pizza Facility, and attended a concert featuring country superstars Montgomery Gentry and Jessica Andrews.
On Friday, the chapter attended the fourth general session, hearing motivational speaker, Suzie Humphreys, attended a seminar with hypnotist, Dr. Jim Wand, and attended the National FFA Alumni live auction.
On Saturday, the chapter attended the ninth and tenth general sessions, seeing national officer parent recognition, American FFA Degree recipients, and elections of new national officers.
Attending the convention were members Brittany ******, Tim *****, Josh ******, Chad ********, Molli *********, Nick ******** and Liz ****, advisor, Linda *****, and chaperones Dennis ***** and Michele ******.
Sincerely,
Tim *****,
Crothersville FFA Reporter
CONVENTION JOURNAL CONT'D Day Three
Friday, October 26, 2001
Mileage: 143158
Time: 6:02 a.m.
Once again, we are on our way to Louisville, but first, a stop at McDonalds in Scottsburg at 6:12 a.m.
We arrived at Convention at 7:04 a.m. Our first activity for the day was a general session featuring Suzie Humphreys at 7:30 a.m.
After the session we were supposed to go to a leadership session, but it was cancelled. All of the other sessions were filled up at the time, so we headed to the FFA Mall for an early lunch and shopping. We also went to the Career Show during this time.
At 4:00 p.m., the hypnotist, Dr. Jim Wand, performed. Molli and I were chosen to be hypnotized, but only Molli was successfully hypnotized. We laughed for over an hour at the show and learned a lot - like the fact that Mollis favorite song is LETS ALL GO DOWN TO DUMAS WALKER!
--Liz
Now we are off to see the auction. We were hoping that Dennis will get a new truck, but he didnt, so, oh, well. It is now 9:16 p.m. and we are heading home for some sleep because we are all exhausted. We got back at 10:12 p.m. and the mileage is 143550.
--Nick
Fourth and Final Day
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Mileage: 143550
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Here we are, off again for the last day of FFA Convention. Today, we are just going to go straight through without stopping anywhere to eat since we are leaving at 1:00 p.m. Todays session starts at 2:30 p.m., our time, and in supposed to end at 4:00 p.m. Scott Preibe, our 1999 - 2000 State President, is running for a National Office and we wish him the very best. We just now pulled into the 74th National FFA Convention. Now we are going to enjoy are day.
--Josh
Time: 4:26 p.m.
We left what I can honestly say the BEST session of the Convention at 4:26 p.m.
We arrived at Freedom Hall and sat in our regular section, Section F, Baby! We enjoyed some before-session contests, hoping to win a two year old shirt, but as usual, we came up empty handed.
As the session progressed, we were all excited, nervous and tense as the National Officer Elections came closer. All that was changed to a somber feeling when Trent McKnight, 2000-2001 National President, gave his retiring address. His speech was the most inspiring I have ever heard. The silence in Freedom Hall was incredible; you could hear a pin drop. I think I can speak for all the members when I say it was the best thing about the Convention.
When drying our eyes, the tense, exciting apprehension grew more and more as we hoped Scott would get National Office.
The time came and we were on the edge of our seats with anticipation, but alas, through all our hopes and wishes, Scott was not elected.
We were awed at the sight of the closing video playing images of conventions from 1928 to 2001. As the convention closed with the new officers, we ran over to give Scott our condolences and all he was worried about was if Purdue won the football game. On our way home, we were asked the annual question, What was the best thing about Convention? My answer was the whole week at Convention. I got so many ideas to make our chapter greater and I got to meet so many people in blue corduroy jackets. It was GREAT!
Since I was the first one to get dropped off at 5:00 p.m., I will stop writing.
--Tim
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