INDIANAPOLIS – Each October, thousands of FFA members flock to Indianapolis, Ind. to attend the National FFA Convention and Expo. It has been roughly two years since the seas of blue corduroy jackets have taken Indianapolis by storm, and two years’ worth of excitement, anticipation and celebration were present at the 94th convention.
The Gunnison Valley Chapter had the opportunity to go to the convention this past week, along with 70,000 other members from around the country. They spent the first few days in Nashville at the Music Hall of Fame and later enjoyed a concert by country star Luke Combs at the Grand Ole Opry.
“It was a lot of fun watching artists playing in Nashville’s Broadway,” said GVHS FFA reporter Aubrey Peterson.
During the week of events, the chapter was able to hear from keynote speaker Courtenay DeHoff. Dehoff, according to her LinkedIn profile, is a cowgirl turned television personality, keynote speaker and podcast host. In 2020, DeHoff launched the global brand movement Fancy Lady Cowgirl after struggling to fit the traditional cowgirl mold. Drawing criticism from those in the very communities she was advocating for, she labeled herself a “Fancy Lady Cowgirl,” proclaiming you can be both a little fancy and a little ranchy.
The Gunnison FFA members also spent time in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil, attended a rodeo, and experienced the FFA Career expo, where they were able to see many career opportunities relating to agriculture.
Peterson said that it was a great opportunity for our chapter and a thing that up and coming members can look toward each year.
