Leadership meeting takes students to theme park

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Taking part in a trip to the National FFA Center are local FFA members, front row, from left, Justin King, Erica Cosminsky and Hal Laws. Second row, Jordan Elkins, Brant Prater, Chris Sims, Lynn Cannon, Corey Brown, Sarah Simons and Randy Evans.

Every summer, the officers of the Warren County Future Farmers of America attend FFA Leadership Camp to learn the skills they will need to guide the club through the upcoming school year. Due to this year’s state budget problems, however, the club had to make other plans.

According to chapter reporter Hal Laws, the officers’ annual sojourn to Camp Clements in neighboring Van Buren County was not possible this summer due to state budget cuts. Without the state’s supplement, the price of the camp became too expensive for most members, he said, leading the chapter to look for another way to acquire its leadership training.

After receiving input from FFA advisor Russell Watson, the group took his advice and decided to take a leadership tour, culminating in a visit to the National FFA Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Like camp, the tour was mandatory for chapter officers. It was also open to all chapter members.

Those officers participating in the tour were Corey Brown, president; Randy Evans, first vice president; Jordan Elkins, second vice president; Sarah Simons, secretary; Erica Cosminsky, treasurer; Hal Laws, reporter; Brant Prater, sentinel; and Russell Watson, advisor. Members in attendance were Lynn Cannon, Chris Sims and Justin King. Donna Simons chaperoned the group.

On its way to the National FFA Center, the group made several side trips, including one to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky. Further north in Louisville, they visited the Louisville Slugger Bat Museum, Six Flags over Kentucky and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

In Indianapolis, the students toured the Brickyard, home of the Indianapolis 500 and took in a minor league baseball game between the Indianapolis Indians and the Richmond Braves at White River State Park.

Finally the group made it to the National FFA Center. While there they enjoyed a tour. After the tour, the new officers held their first meeting. During this time they worked on their plan of action for the upcoming year.