Kewanee High School and Central School FFA members and supporters celebrated agriculture and agricultural education during the 98th National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis Oct. 29-Nov. 1.

Kewanee FFA was well represented by the following members and chaperones:

Alumni: Rachel DeRycke, Abigail DeSchepper and Emma Evans

These Central School FFA students attended their first national convention: Kynlee Dwyer, Warren Mott, Coy Rieker, Carissa Sosa and Emmelyn Swearingen.

Kewanee High School students attending were Derek Bernal, Gunnar Carmichael, Katy Carton, Rachel DeRycke, Abigail DeSchepper, Emma Evans, Jonah Janey Isabella Guzman. Emmalee Kilstrom, Leah Loibl. Cheyenne Orwig. Mikayla Ouart, Tripp Rieker, Braxton Roberts, Kelsey Scott, Brooklynn Schiltz and Paige Polowy.

Advisers attending were Ella Cagwin, Kindra Callahan, Connor Ray and Mrs. Reed.

Below are some ways FFA members were empowered by attending the convention:

Career success

  • Explored 350 careers in agriculture at the Expo
  • Talked with 65 universities from across the country about their programs, ranging from agriculture engineering to business management
  • Rachel DeRycke, Abigail DeSchepper, and Emma Evans crossed the stage to receive their American FFA Degrees. Kewanee FFA has had nine members earn their American Degrees. This year, these three alumni made history; this is the most members KHS has had recognized in one year. Other American degree winners in school history include Frank L. Reed Jr., 1943; Kenneth D. Gibson, 1980; Brandon Lesage, 2011; Benjamin Pickering. 2013; Jason Manthe, 2014; and Kyle Joos, 2014.
  • Personal growth
  • Attended the opening general session featuring motivational speaker A’ric Jackson
  • Attended student and teacher workshops
  • Heard Retiring Addresses from National Officers: Caroline Groth and Jack Lingenfelter
  • Callahan led a workshop with the National Association of Agricultural Educators to inspire future Ag Teachers. 
  • Ray and Mrs. Reed provided our Kewanee Middle FFA members the chance to attend their FIRST National Convention.

Premier leadership

  • High School members buddied up with middle school members to enjoy a meal and take in the expo floor.
  • Cagwin led our members in daily reflections and shout-outs. This is a unique time to share in a safe space what experiences and people empowered the members each day.
  • Gunnar Carmichael and Katy Carton crossed the stage to receive our 3 Star Chapter award.

Days of service

  • Cagwin and our High School FFA members embodied the last line of the FFA motto by living to serve. They spent Friday morning cleaning up the White River State Park.
  • The National FFA Organization is the nation’s premier school-based youth leadership development organization, with more than 1 million members and 9,000 chapters in rural, suburban, and urban schools in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
  • The  FFA mission is to grow the next generation of leaders who will feed, fuel, clothe and sustain our world. Throughout the year, FFA is focused on career success and personal development for every student member, no matter their path after high school graduation. The National FFA Convention and Expo is a culmination of hard work throughout the members’ year and a prime opportunity to network with others throughout the country.
  • The Convention and Expo is the largest gathering of FFA members annually, with over 70,000 FFA members making their way to Lucas Oil Stadium.