Four Center Point High School seniors are heading to Indianapolis for the Future Farmers of America National Convention to get hands-on learning experiences, professional guidance, and attend workshops aimed at strengthening their FFA chapter.
Seniors Mauricio Gallegos, Gracie Geurin, Maria Diaz, and Daphne Lopez met FFA teacher Cammie Mitchell when they all began at Center Point FFA. Though new to FFA, the four students had a history of competing together in stock shows and participating in Hill Country agriculture their entire lives.
Mitchell is an alumnus of Center Point and was on the last FFA team that went to the National Convention, back in 2009. Now, she has returned home to teach Vocational Agriculture at Center Point High School, determined to bring the same opportunities to her students.
“I started with them as freshmen, all on my officer team, and they told me when they were freshmen that they wanted to try to go to the National Convention in Indianapolis before they graduated.” says Mitchell.
The Future Farmers of America is a nonprofit aimed at developing leadership and career success through agricultural education. Mitchell touched on some of the skills her students have acquired since joining FFA.
“They use parliamentary procedure to conduct business, they’re very comfortable talking to people, and most of them already have resumes built because of different FFA activities that they’ve done.” says Mitchell.
This particular group of students have exemplified extreme interest and participation in the program Mitchell finds deserving of recognizing.
“I feel like these kids have really worked hard. This is their senior year and I feel like they’ve really earned it. They’re very involved in everything, not just FFA, and I just would like for them to be able to experience what I did,” says Mitchell.
The group’s agenda for the convention includes workshops for both the students and educators, targeted at professionalism, resume building, and teaching tips. An educational tour to an Amish community farm as well as competing in the FFA Agricultural Quiz Contest are also in the plans.
Excited to see what the National Convention has to offer, the FFA chapter has been fundraising to cover travel, boarding, and activity costs for the students and teachers.
“We held a raffle at the Center Point ISD Back to School Bash, hosted a dinner dessert auction, and sold baked goods and water bottles before school. Right now we are wrapping up an auction to make sure that we have enough money so that the kids don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses,” says Mitchell.
The Center Point FFA Booster Club helped arrange integral fundraising and booking efforts to support the trip to Indianapolis.
“Julie Behrens and Bridget Vincent from the booster club have been instrumental in helping us. The entire community as a whole has been so supportive,” says Mitchell.
Thus far, the FFA chapter still needs around $2,000 to ensure the students get to take full advantage of the National Convention and pay back their booster club.
To support Center Point Future Farmers of America, visit their crowdfunding website at https:// givebutter.com/c/cptoindy and consider making a donation.