Hillsdale FFA brings creative touch to national convention

JEROMESVILLE — In a normal school year, the Hillsdale FFA chapter members would travel to Indianapolis for the FFA National Convention and Expo — but 2020 has been far from normal. This year, the 93rd convention is being held virtually on Zoom, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It kicked off Tuesday and ran through Thursday. Hillsdale FFA got creative, tuning into the online sessions hosted by the 2019-20 National FFA Officer Team, while putting on its own in-school convention with service activities and speakers. Hillsdale High School took about 30 students to Indianapolis last year, said Lindsay Bowen, vocational agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. Between 40 to 45 students are involved this year. FFA (Future Farmers of America) is a national organization of more than 700,000 student members as part of 8,600 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the FFA's website. Hillsdale FFA officers took it upon themselves to brainstorm themes and activities for each of the three convention days: service and appreciation on Tuesday, personal growth on Wednesday and leadership on Thursday. "We wanted to give the members who haven't been to the national convention a little glimpse of what it is like," said Colby Helbert, a Hillsdale FFA senior chapter officer. Along with the activities they organized at the high school, students are watching sessions provided by the national convention. Members heard from Kolesen McCoy, an Ohio State University student and Clark County native who was selected as the National FFA Organization president last year. Thursday, they heard from John Deere about data-driven solutions. "While the convention will look a little different this year than what we are used to, FFA members around the country have proven their willingness the past few months to not only adapt but create meaningful experiences while celebrating FFA and agricultural education," McCoy said in a news release this summer, after it was announced the convention would happen virtually. "Our officer team is humbled to share this fantastic experience with more members than ever before." On Tuesday, members made cards for the elderly residing in Brethren Care Village, tie blankets and positive Post-It notes they placed around the school. These activities seemed like the "best way to engage in the community," Helbert said. A guest speaker presented Wednesday about how far the FFA has come. "We wanted the members to see the different opportunities available to them in their future," said Caleb Murawski, a Hillsdale FFA senior club officer. On Thursday, members worked on leadership and team-building in the school's gym. Megan Schwendeman, a Hillsdale FFA senior club officer, said the goal is to "replicate the experience of a national convention ... and to grow as a team and bond as a chapter." ___ (c)2020 Ashland Times-Gazette, Ohio Visit Ashland Times-Gazette, Ohio at www.times-gazette.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.