Plymouth High School FFA attended the 89th National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis on October 19-21. Ten PHS students took time over their Fall Break to attend the convention. Students had the opportunity to listen to Keynote Speakers, Diana Nyad and Jason Brown as well as the National Officers’ retiring addresses.
At the age of 64, Diana Nyad became the first person to make the 110-mile swim from Havana to Key West without a shark cage. The swim took her 52 hours and 54 minutes to complete, a lifetime goal she had begun dreaming of in the late 1970s. She made her first attempt in 1978 at the age of 28. Then after decades of not swimming, she decided to try again in her 60s. After three unsuccessful attempts, she made it in 2013.
NFL player Jason Brown was at the top of his career with a five-year, $37 million dollar contract, but walked away to become a farmer. His farm, First Fruits Farm, donates the first fruits of every harvest to food pantries. He says he has never felt more successful – maybe not in man’s standards, but in God’s eyes. He says he believes that a life of greatness is a life of service and that love is the currency that really counts.
Students also spent time at the FFA Expo Center and Megastore where they were able to meet with business representatives, colleges, and organizations. Also, a celebrity appearance from Dr. Pol, from TV show “The Incredible Dr. Pol”
Specializing in large farm animals, Dr. Pol treats horses, pigs, cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens and even an occasional reindeer. A true friend of the farmer, Dr. Pol works tirelessly to ensure that the diminishing population of family farmers remains in business. Many farmers consider Dr. Pol a part of their family as he plays an integral role in keeping their livestock healthy and their business profitable. With his thick Dutch accent, signature mustache and vintage 1985 “Back to the Future” DeLorean, Dr. Pol is nothing short of a local legend.
The Plymouth FFA members in attendance were: President, Trevor Pletcher, Co-Vice President, Austin Bachtel, Co-Vice President, Frannie Bottorff, Secretary, Samantha Zechiel, Treasurer, Brieanna Slonaker, Reporter, Kassie Dickey, Sentinel, Wryanne Leed, Members, Macy Warren, Olyvia Clark, and Kendra Langfeldt
A special thank you to the Culver Young Farmers and Indiana Farm Bureau for helping sponsor the trip to the FFA National Convention.
