Swansea High School FFA students attend 92nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana

Swansea, SC (Paul Kirby) - The students of Swansea High School’s FFA Chapter recently returned from the 92nd National FFA Convention, which took place October 28-November 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Almost 70,000 FFA members were in attendance from across the nation.

The National FFA Organization is the largest youth organization in the world. There are over 700,000 members nationwide and 8,612 local FFA chapters in all 50 states including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The National FFA Convention and Expo is one of the largest student conventions in the world. The FFA’s EXPO mission is to develop, educate, and inspire.

While in attendance, Swansea’s FFA officers participated in student leadership workshops and local farm tours. This provided them an opportunity to see the Agribusiness side of the industry.

They also attended general sessions where they heard inspiring messages from guest speakers and the national officers. There were expo booths of industry leaders and colleges from across the nation.

They also were entertained when they attended a concert and rodeo and visited other tourist attractions. The students were not prepared for the chilly temperatures that Indiana greeted them with. They were however, pleasantly surprised with the snow shower they witnessed Thursday afternoon while touring the city!

Students met members from across the nation to share ideas, stories, and chapter traditions with one another in hopes of taking home memories, new ideas, and new friendships. “Nationals was a very eye-opening experience to me because I was able to see how large and vast the organization is in comparison to our local chapters. I didn’t expect to go into the expo and get to see somebody from every single state, but I did so, and I was able to visually see just how large this great organization is,” said Lauren Knight, SHS FFA Vice President. “10 students, 2 teachers, 12 hours, 650 miles, and one blue corduroy jacket made for an amazing experience!”

Pic 1 - (Left to Right): BACK: Kenneth Cathey, Joann Coots, Carlie Branham, Abigail Krasselt, Ashlyn Morris, Mallory Gerkin, Kassidi Smith, Caleb Mclemore FRONT: Emma Lucas and Lauren Knight

Pic 2 - (Left to Right) BACK: Kenneth Cathey, Joann Coots, Kassidi Smith, Ashlyn Morris, Mallory Gerkin, Caleb Mclemore FRONT: Abigail Krasselt, Emma Lucas, Lauren Knight, Carlie Branham

Pic 1 - (Left to Right): BACK:Kenneth Cathey, Joann Coots, Carlie Branham, Abigail Krasselt, Ashlyn Morris, Mallory Gerkin, Kassidi Smith, Caleb Mclemore FRONT: Emma Lucas and Lauren Knight

Pic 2 - (Left to Right) BACK: Kenneth Cathey, Joann Coots, Kassidi Smith, Ashlyn Morris, Mallory Gerkin, Caleb Mclemore FRONT: Abigail Krasselt, Emma Lucas, Lauren Knight, Carlie Branham