The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Historic visit
JVS FFA student members attend conference in nation’s capital
More than two thousand FFA members from throughout the country came together in Washington, D.C., this summer to evaluate their personal skills and interests, develop leadership talent and create service plans that will make a difference in their local communities.
Five JVS FFA Chapter members, students from the Landscape and Greenhouse Management (LGM) and Industrial Equipment Mechanics programs, spent nearly one week at the conference, held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, July 16-22.
These students are Emerald Chimileski, Landscape and Greenhouse Management senior from Keystone; Wyatt Collins, Industrial Equipment Mechanics senior from Wellington; Seth Miller, Landscape and Greenhouse Management senior from Amherst; Skyler Mshabbek, Landscape and Greenhouse Management senior from North Ridgeville; and Nathan White, Industrial Equipment Mechanics senior from Keystone.
During their time at the conference, students took part in workshops and seminars focusing on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters.
The capstone of the event is a civic engagement activity where participants apply what they have learned in a hands-on activity. JVS students gave back at the Meals of Hope organization where they had the opportunity to pack food for people in need.
Landscape and Greenhouse Management Instructor and FFA Advisor Beth Berthold shared that this conference gives the students a great opportunity to meet other students from out of the county.
“Being able to meet so many new people allows the students to learn from others and broaden their knowledge and beliefs of the world around them,” she said.
A highlight of the trip was being able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a special presentation on the Washington Monument.
The students also experienced the history of the nation’s capital and toured landmarks including Arlington National Cemetery, the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol, among others.