Mid-Winter Convention!!!

January 12, 2015 was my very first day of student teaching.  This day that I had anticipated for a long time was canceled, but the life of an agriculture educator does not stop for a little bit of ice.  My cooperating teacher and I headed to the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg for the Mid-Winter Convention.  Since school was canceled we were not permitted to take students to the convention, however, some traveled with their parents to participate in the ceremony.  Shippensburg FFA had eight students who were selected for the FFA Jacket program and one student who earned the Keystone FFA Degree.  The Keystone Degree is the highest FFA degree that can be bestowed upon a member in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

During the convention I was able to take in all of the excitement as we members and guests listened to the speakers.  One of my favorite speakers who had a phenomenal message was Mrs. Sherisa Nailor who was representing the Pennsylvania FFA Alumni.  She helped to recognize the over 500 Freshmen FFA members as they received their stiff, crisp, new, and first every FFA Jacket.  As she recognized them she expressed that the FFA is like a family and that there is a plethora of hope for the advancement of agriculture and humanity because of young the Learners Today; Leaders Tomorrow (2014-2015 PA FFA Theme) in the blue jacket.   As Mrs. Nailor spoke I was able to reflect on the beginning of my personal journey with agriculture education and realized that mine starter seven years ago as I received that new corduroy jacket. 

In closing, I consider myself very blessed to be a part of the Ag Ed family and I am glad that my lifelong journey began seven years ago!