An even dozen attending FFA National Convention

Published by admin on Wed, 11/01/2023 - 10:01am

Weiser Chapter FFA members attending the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this week are, front row, from left, Claire Matthews and Lacey Christopherson. Middle row, from left, Hannah Grace, McKailee Erickson, Trista Buescher, Brooklyn Brown, and Isabella Froshiesar. Back row, from left, Wyatt Erickson, Payton Hoffman, Josh Negrete, Banzer Arnett, and Telsyn Hawker. Photo by Nancy Grindstaff
By: 
Nancy Grindstaff
Twelve members of Weiser High School’s FFA chapter left town Monday morning, Oct. 30, at 3 a.m. to catch a flight in Boise at 5:45 a.m. to Cincinnati, with another stop in Louisville. The last leg of their trip landed them in Indianapolis, where they began an exciting week on Tuesday at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo.
 Weiser’s Chapter Treasurer Banzer Arnett, a senior, said this is his second time attending the convention.
 “I went two years ago and I know what to expect now, so I know how to make the most of it,” Arnett told the Signal American late last week. 
 The students had to start planning for this cross-country adventure last spring, each completing an application to attend.
 “We had to fill out an application,” Arnett said. “That involved a lot of questions about what we have done in the FFA, how long we’ve been in the FFA, and what we want to gain from going to the convention. I listed what I’ve done, and I qualified.”
 Making her first trip, Chapter President Lacey Christopherson said, “Yes, we filled out the application. We’re both officers, so it’s really cool that we’re able to go on this, learn, and bring back things we’ve learned to our chapter.”
 The pair verified that no one in the group is expecting a national award.
 “We’re going for the experience,” Chapter Advisor Robbie Salisbury said. “It’s interesting to take kids across the country and get to see that, and then, they also get to see just how big the FFA association is. Also, getting to see different parts of the country. 
 “They’re so used to Weiser, and the big city of Boise, when we go,” she added. “Getting to go to Indianapolis, we’re also going to Cincinnati and Louisville, and make our way to Indianapolis, so we’ll see very large cities compared to what we’re used to.
 “It’s kind of a culture thing, and fun for them to see how big the FFA association is,” Salisbury said.
 Joining both advisors, Salisbury and Patti Matthews, the 12 members on the trip include Arnett, Christopherson, Wyatt Erickson, Payton Hoffman, Hannah Grace, McKailee Erickson, Claire Matthews, Josh Negrete, Trista Buescher, Brooklyn Brown, Isabella Froshiesar, and Telsyn Hawker.

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