FFA members attend state convention

Contributed article
Published: July 2, 2008

The Greene County FFA Chapter recently attended the 82nd Virginia FFA Association State Convention held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg from June 16-19.
Rhonda Bowman and Mike Skeens, advisors of William Monroe High School FFA chapter, accompanied the following students to the convention: Ashleigh Shifflett, Travis Roach, Jeff Cason, Chris Rose, Tim House and Travis Lamb. Travis Roach received a First Place Central Area Tractor Operators Plaque and Second High Individual State Tractor Operators Plaque.
They competed in several career development events including Agricultural Sales and Computer Applications. The Virginia FFA Agriculture Sales Career Development Event includes actual sales presentations, a written exam, and a team sales situation. Ashleigh Shifflett and Travis Roach were Silver Emblem Individuals and Tim House and Travis Lamb were Bronze Emblem Individuals. The Virginia FFA Computer Applications Career Development Event is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Activities included in this event are a written exam and demonstrating practical skills by using spreadsheets and databases. Chris Rose placed Third High Individual in this event receiving a Gold Emblem.
These events are one of many education activities at the Virginia FFA State Convention in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.
To celebrate 82 years of tradition with the Virginia FFA, this year’s convention included motivational speaker Andrea Lohr, National FFA President Zach Kinne, and a power lifting team. Along with the special guests, students participated in workshops hosted by state officers from other state associations.
More than 1,300 students attended this year’s annual convention.
FFA is a national youth organization of 476,732 student members preparing for leadership in the science, business and technology of agriculture, with 7,223 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Virginia FFA Association has over 10,800 members in 208 chapters.
FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.