MORRISVILLE, NY—More than 1,000 of the best high school students and future NYS agricultural leaders will converge on the Morrisville State College campus as it hosts this year’s State FFA Convention May 14-16.
Local chapters attending the event include, the Madison, Stockbridge Valley, DeRuyter, Cazenovia, VVS, and Hamilton.
The convention, which helps the next generation of agricultural leaders reach their goals, features a line-up of motivational and informational presentations, as well as competitions. Students will have the opportunity to explore a career show, attend leadership and career workshops and view an array of exhibits.
There will also be campus and industry tours and concerts including a performance by country artists, the Beadle Brothers.
Career development contests, planned throughout the day May 15, include agricultural communications, veterinary science, agricultural issues, marketing plan, job interview, food science and more.
According to Charles Ax, host site coordinator and MSC collegiate FFA advisor, presenters from all over the country will be speaking throughout the event, which features high school students in grades 9 through 12.
Speakers include Ryan Porter, “Make Your Own Lunch,” Victoria Maloch, National FFA secretary from Arkansas and Tracee Schiebel, of Vernon, Miss Mohawk Valley 2015.
Additional guests include state FFA officers from nine other states including, Utah, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Oregon, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Most attendees have earned their way competing at local, regional, and sub-state levels. The top students from the state convention will go on to represent New York and compete at the national competition.
In addition to students, nearly 400 volunteers will also be assisting in the convention, along with judges who include Morrisville faculty and staff, high school teachers from various FFA districts, and business and industry leaders and personnel.
For a list of competitions: visit http://www.nysffa.org/students/competitions-93814/careerdevelopmentevents/200-state-convention-cdes.
Morrisville State’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
In addition to being named to the 2014 President’s Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate.