by Kay McCullick, 12

On Oct. 25, Agriculture Teacher Mr. Jay Martin took five students to Indianapolis, Indiana. Macy Stauffer, 11, Brodi McNeece, 11, KayLynne McCullick, 12, Sydney Barger, 12, and Hanna Ridgway, 9 arrived at the National FFA Convention before the rest of the chapter representatives for a very special reason. Macy Stauffer won Area, Districts, and State Creed Speaking and competed in the first round of National Creed Speaking over Zoom. After placing in the top 16 in the Nation, Macy got the opportunity to compete in person at the National FFA Convention. KayLynne, Brodi, Hanna, and Sydney traveled with Macy and Mr. Martin to show their support. Macy gained a Silver rating on the National Level.

Later that same week, on Oct. 27, Carolyn Huff, 12, Braxton Watts, 9, Clara Farran, 9, Gavin Heuser, 9, Kolten Norman, 9, and Tackett Arnold, 10 arrived with Mrs. Melanie Martin in Indianapolis to share the experience of the National FFA Convention with their peers. Stopping first in St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch, this fun group arrived late Wednesday night in Indy.

While in Indianapolis, the FFA members from ElDo attended sessions, toured farms, visited the Indianapolis Speedway (home of the Indy 500), watched a hypnotist show, and listened to Keynote speaker, the fancy lady cowgirl, Courtenay DeHoff. They even got to see Missouri State FFA Vice President, Kraysen Leonard, a member of the El Dorado Springs FFA chapter. Students also visited the FFA Expo and talked to businesses, colleges, and various organizations, all while collecting the mandatory three ink pens for Mr. Martin.

The students arrived back home on Halloween weekend.