CBNA FFA Members Participate at the National FFA Convention

During the weekend of October 18-22, 2016, members of the Coe-Brown Northwood Academy Much-to-Do Chapter of FFA represented CBNA and New Hampshire at the 89^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. The Horse Evaluation team of Emery Travers, Preston Bethke, Ryan Graeme, and 2016 graduate Molly DeTrude earned third place in national competition. In the Horse Evaluation event, students evaluate and rank horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. As a team, students cooperatively solve problems related to equine selection, management, nutrition and production. In addition, 2016 CBNA graduate Sydney Wilson competed in Extemporaneous Public Speaking, speaking on the topic of the impacts of urban agriculture, earning a bronze medal. In this event participants are given 30 minutes to deliver a speech on one of three assigned agricultural topics. Students must learn to think on their feet and develop an argument quickly and persuasively. CBNA was also represented by NH flag bearer 2016 graduate Mariah Valerio who proudly carried NH’s flag in the FFA Parade and presented NH’s flag at the second general session. CBNA student Hunter Tetu was also in attendance to represent CBNA and NH at the national convention in which nearly 65,000 FFA members and guests from across the country participate in many activities such as general sessions, competitive events, educational tours, leadership workshops, an expo and volunteer activities. It is one of the largest annual student conventions in the world. The National FFA Expo is the only Agricultural, Food Science and Natural Resource Education Show that brings 47,000 high school students and 4,000 agriculture teachers together all in one place, and all in just three days. No other event can deliver the future buying power of our more than 500,000 National FFA members, advisors and guests.