May 21, 2025
Local NewsState & National

‘Transform’ marked the 89th National FFA Convention

Creston FFA members are pictured outside of the FFA Career Center while attending the 89th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis. Members in front, from left, are Kayla Luther, Paige Parsons, Mattie Wheeler, Macy Evans, Taylor Sorrells and Ellie Starlin. In the middle row are Logan Pettit, Danika Schultes, Morgan Shawler and Laura Weis. In the back row are Hank Looney, Nathan Pudenz, Will Gordan, Seth Steinbach, Kolten Phelps, Devon Buls and adviser Kelsey Bailey. (Contributed photo)

Creston FFA members know firsthand why “Transform” was the theme for the 89th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The convention’s theme symbolized the agricultural education organization’s mission to spark the passion and purpose to prepare students for success throughout their lives.

More than 66,000 FFA members, advisers, supporters and guests were in attendance at the annual convention held Oct. 19-22.

The Creston FFA Chapter again was recognized as a supreme chapter and ranked in the top 25 chapters in the state of Iowa for its outstanding efforts in promoting and working toward the development of its members, chapter and community by developing individual and cooperative activities that enhanced its members’ life skills, promoting its ability to develop a positive image and interaction with support groups through cooperative and organized activities and its developed community partnership in improving economic, environmental and human resources.

The chapter stressed the development of its members, chapter and community through a wide variety of projects. During the past school year, the chapter conducted local leadership workshops and conventions, participated in more than a dozen judging events and had members compete in contests above the local level.

Chapter activities Make Creston Green and Christmas holiday activities have been identified as programs assisting in Creston FFA’s success in being recognized as one of Iowa’s top 25 chapters. Its Christmas holiday activities, including the CHS student body, involved purchasing presents for children and the collection of toys and canned goods. The canned goods and toys were given to the community pantry for distribution during the holiday season.

During the past school year, the chapter conducted a number of safety activities involving hundreds of area youth, which included its annual bicycle safety program and rodeo, where helmets were provided to participating youth, as well as hunter safety and Halloween safety program presentations. The chapter also assisted with counselors in conducting a Red Ribbon Week Drug Safety Awareness program for the school’s elementary students.

Future education and career exploration are key components of the convention. Students attending visited hundreds of exhibitors that provided information about educational and career possibilities held at the concurrent National FFA Alumni Convention and National Agricultural Career Show. In addition to convention highlights, members also embarked on a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. Most people do not think of the animal-science principles zookeepers need to have in order to operate a zoo. Veterinarians, nutritionists, behavior specialists, education specialists and general caretakers are all careers available at the zoo. For many on the trip, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first opportunity to see dolphin trainers in action when FFA members attended the dolphin show at the aquatic center.

The last day of the National FFA Convention was celebrated by awarding FFA members from across the nation with the American FFA Degree. The American FFA Degree is the highest honor an FFA member can earn in this organization.

To receive the American FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• received their state degree, been an FFA member for three consecutive years and participated in activities at and beyond the chapter level

• have satisfactorily complete a secondary agriculture education program

• have graduated from high school 12 months prior to the national convention in which the degree will be awarded

• have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding SAE

• earned at least $10,000 and productively invested $7,500 or earned and productively invested $2,000 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time

• have a record of outstanding leadership abilities, community involvement and achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent

• have participated in at least 50 hours of community service within at least three different community service activities.

This year, Creston FFA member Brooke Thelen earned and received her American FFA Degree at the convention.