FFA Members pose with keynote speaker, Amberley Snyder, after hearing her inspiring speech. Those posing in this picture include: Skyler Marker, Amber Bergman, Megan Bergman, Keynote Speaker, Amberley Snyder, and Becca Thornhill (Left to Right), and in the back behind Keynote Speaker, Amberley Snyder, is Robert Christman.
Ansonia FFA Attends National Convention
Recently the Ansonia FFA Chapter went to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky on October 28th through October 30th. The members that braved this voyage were Megan Bergman, Amber Bergman, Skyler Marker, Robert Christman, and Becca Thornhill. Chaperones included Advisor, Brad Lentz, and former FFA member, Taylor Bergman. On their way to Louisville they toured the DB Yummer BBQ Sauce business in Washington Court House, Ohio, so as to see the source from which some of our products in our fruit sale come from. Once there they both learned and assisted in the making of DB Yummer BBQ Sauce. While assisting, these members helped label and fill bottles of BBQ sauce. One interesting fact that they came across was that majority of the factory’s profits don’t go back to the company, but instead they are received by FFA chapters through their fundraisers. After going on this fun filled adventure, the troops went on to experience a tour of Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio. This first day was then capped off by arriving at the hotel in Louisville and attending supper at Rafferty’s. Our members then went on to enjoy opening session, and a very interesting speech by the keynote speaker, Rick Rigsby, a preacher. Rigsby delivered a speech teaching the students about how everything you do and receive is actually inherited. He tried to show that the money you get, the clothes you wear, the food you put in your mouth, and anything else you possess actually comes from someone who has previously experienced and learned from life, these people who have experienced and provided for you include people such as teachers, parents, etc. Those who attended his speech found it quite enlightening and full of humor. After having their minds opened to Mr. Rigsby’s compelling notions, the group made their way to take part in some leadership workshops. The workshop in which our team viewed was over the variety of career options in the field of agriculture, which they could one day call their job. They also went on to visit the FFA Career and Trade Show. Then they attended opening ceremony, and another tour commenced. This time a tour of the Marengo Caves in Marengo, Indiana seemed fit for the moment. Then after lunch the crew went on to witness a concert starring Kip Moore and Clare Dunn. With all the excitement coming to an end, the second day of their trip was over. On the final day of their trip all members attended the convention session, and they once more listened to a speech by the new keynote speaker, Amberley Snyder. Amberley was a state officer in the FFA, and she shared her interesting tale of her life and the many tribulations she had to work through to get to where she was today. Snyder was a competitive horse rider and due to a car accident she became paralyzed from the waist down. After the accident she decided that she wasn’t going to go around and mope about, instead she wished to accomplish her goals and not let this tragedy get in the way of living. Her goals included: finding a way to walk again, finding a way to ride again, and to find a way to compete in a rodeo again. With hard work and dedication Amberley was able to accomplish all three of her goals. Those who experienced her riveting story were inspired. They all left understanding that even in the darkest of times there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and that no matter what, don’t give up. After this the group was invited to go to a leadership workshop of their choosing. Following this they went on to attend tours in Bardstown. These tours included a tour of a bourbon distillery and a tour of My Old Kentucky Home State Park. At the distillery our bunch learned not only how bourbon is made, but they also learned how it helps agriculture. They learned that the grains and ingredients purchased to make this beverage benefit the farmers who grow them, which of course furthers all agriculture as a whole. The park on the other hand was not exactly a tour per se, but the group did learn quite a bit. This historic place wasn’t just an influential part in the creating of the song “My Old Kentucky Home”, but was also a beautiful habitat for the team to get a bit of fresh air and unwind from their rigorous and unrelenting day of learning. After all of this excitement you would think for sure that they couldn’t possibly be encouraged and motivated anymore, however much more was to come. The day continued with evening speaker, Brad Montague. Brad is most famously known as the director and writer of the all inspiring YouTube Kid President videos, but he so generously took some time to stop motivating the rest of the world, to focus his efforts on all FFA members attending the convention. His speech was mostly about dreaming big, and how you should never be afraid to imagine yourself as something that seems too grand for you if it is truly your life goal. He also tried to imprint the idea of how every life makes an impact on the world and that no matter what; you should try to make your impact a positive one. Once finished here the gang settled in for a long ride home. All in all, they all claimed to have a very fun filled and happy time.