Kansas State FFA Convention!
May 26-30
Manhattan, Kansas, K-State University
Day 1, May 26
9:00 in the morning and Derek, Pete, Caitlin and I took off down 35 to Manhattan, Kansas. Standing next to a full trunk and packed backseat, we knew it was going to be a long trip! However, after seven and a half hours of driving, and stopping three times to buy Derek new pants, take a picture in the middle of the interstate, and fill up with the oh so cheap gas, we found ourselves in the wonderful town of Manhattan. However, by jamming out to some country, crafting glow in the dark bracelets, and talking about the upcoming events we were each excited about proved that sometimes it’s the Journey, not the destination. I can honestly say that I have gotten to know these three individuals extremely well and am so glad we took this trip together!
After arriving in Manhattan we abruptly pulled over to the side of the road to grap a picture by the Manhattan sign! (Throughout this trip we were extremely picture crazy!!) That night, we met up with Sharita Lacey, past Kansas State FFA Vice President, as she cultured the Minnesota State FFA Officers by taking us to the Hu Hot Mongolian Grill. Shawn Turner and Morgan Gauby, who were graciously letting us bunk with them, came along for dinner. It was so cool to see the cooks grill and slice your meal right in front of you! After supper, we got a tour of K-State by a true Kansan, visited Manhatten Hill, and went back to the Smith Scholarship House, (Shawn’s Pad), to play ROCK BAND!!
Day 2, May 27
Day two of our Kansas adventure we found ourselves stuffing convention packets, correcting tests, and my favorite, visiting Call Hall for ice cream. After visiting the student center multiple times for sustenance, our day of serving FFA was complete. It was time to again experience the life of a K-State Student! Sharita took us to some hot college spots: Grizzley’s, a popular restaurant, PIlsbury Crossing, a wading/waterfall area, and Top of the World, a lookout over top the town of Kansas.
Grizzley’s restaurant is famous for their chicken fried steak, chicken, and pork. My favorite part about the meal however were the fried pickles with ranch that Sharita made us try. I was a little hesitant at first but now that I’m back in Minnesota I am craving some fried pickles!
Pilsbury Crossing was a great experience and a chance for us to get our feet wet in Kansas soil, literally! Pilsbury Crossing is a huge wading pool with rocks at the bottom that students can wade in. We got some awesome pictures of Derek and Pete trying to brave the waterfall. Luckily, none of them fell in. I can’t wait to come back to Kansas and go visit the crossing again.
Top of the World was another destination we reached. It was a few miles out of town but was worth the drive. Top of the World is in the country outside Manhatten and, once your vehicle makes it up the hill, visitors can step out and have the most spectacular view of the city. I love Manhatten, Kansas!
Day 3, May 28
Sleeping in at a State Convention was a new feeling for us four as we didn’t need to be awake until noon. We found out later that day that Kansas runs their convention way differently than ours. All of their CDEs, except the leadership CDEs, had already been completed and Champions announced. So, the Minnesota State FFA Officers got to help out with timing and recording the Leadership CDEs. I had the amazing opportunity to be in charge of the holding area of the Parliamentary Procedure Finals. My job was to basically entertain the FFA members and calm their nerves as they waited their turn. I got to meet and watch the Parliamentary Procedure Team from the Marysville FFA Chapter. These individuals became my very first Kansan friends and I enjoyed cheering for them all while on the stage later throughout convention.
Being an old-school Creed speaking Champion myself, I jumped at the chance to time Creed speaking preliminaries and finals. It was so amazing to watch these young FFA members overcome their nerves and perform to their best potential. I’ll never forget the eventual Champion, Blaine, who talked about memorizing the FFA Creed under his oat tree drinking his sweat tea in southern Kansas.
Going to Sessions in Kansas was also exciting! After the smoke and laser show were complete, I got to see my friends, the Kansas State FFA Officers serving their state association during convention. The Minnesota Officers learned a lot about how different conventions are run and we will take a lot back to our own convention next year.
Seth Heinert, who I have met on multiple occasions, was the speaker at the night session of Day three. He was phenomenal! When he was the National FFA Secretary, I saw his retiring address which he sang in. His whole address this night was accompanied by music and was a real treat for any music lover! We are definitely looking at him for our convention.
After the night session, it was time for the party of the night: The Kansas FFA Convention Dance! I met some awesome FFA members with some kicking moves at this dance! It was great to see all 500 plus FFA members who were at the dance coming together and celebrating the future of FFA. Truly, the Minnesota Officers had a blast meeting the Kansas State Officer Candidates and hanging out with Becky and Morgan (National Officers). Once the dance was over, we all experienced our first Sonic Slushies and headed to bed, but not before meeting some FFA members walking through the drive through.
Day 4, May 29
Our Final day in Kansas! The Nebraska and South Dakota State Officers had arrived the night before so Sharita put them to work and us Minnesoootans were free to attend sessions, roam Kansas, and meet new people! My favorite part about Day four was going to Aggieville, which is a village in K-State that has tons of restaurants and hot hang outs. We visited the So Long Saloon for lunch and had the best burgers any of us have ever tasted. We also took our last opportunity to buy some fried pickles which were even better the second time. Food seemed to be the theme of the Day as we returned to Call Hall for our last chance to get some ice cream!
Attending the session that night, we got to hear the inspiring words of Shawn Harper, former NFL Pro Football Player who inspired people to choose their path! He had a phenomenal message and could rip two phone books in half which made him the coolest speaker ever! We are seriously looking at him for State Convention.
After the session was over, we headed back to the Smith House to say our final goodbyes. It was sad to say goodbye to the new found friends we had made knowing that it may be the last time we see them. However, much convincing was done to encourage our new Kansan friends to attend our convention next April! Hopefully we will see them again!
Hitting the road, we stopped at our favorite restaurant before we left Manhattan: McDonalds. Pete and I got to sleep first shift from 10:30 to 2:00 a.m. and then drive from 2:00 to 6:00. Let me tell you, when Caitlin and Derek woke up the next morning when we got back to Albert Lea at 6:30, they were a little crabby with Pete and my loopiness, but I promise it was only from lack of sleep.
Day 5, May 30
Crashing at Pete’s house for a few hours before I headed home was the most phenomenal sleep I’ve ever had in my entire life! I left Pete’s at about ten and headed home on I-90, but not before visiting one of my best FFA friends, Logan Hansen in Albert Lea. He took me to his favorite Chinese restaurant called the Wok and Roll. It was a great time catching up with an old friend who has made a huge impact on my FFA life. Finally it was time to head home, sleep and remember all the amazing times I had with my new teammates and friends in Kansas!
May 26-30
Manhattan, Kansas, K-State University
Day 1, May 26
9:00 in the morning and Derek, Pete, Caitlin and I took off down 35 to Manhattan, Kansas. Standing next to a full trunk and packed backseat, we knew it was going to be a long trip! However, after seven and a half hours of driving, and stopping three times to buy Derek new pants, take a picture in the middle of the interstate, and fill up with the oh so cheap gas, we found ourselves in the wonderful town of Manhattan. However, by jamming out to some country, crafting glow in the dark bracelets, and talking about the upcoming events we were each excited about proved that sometimes it’s the Journey, not the destination. I can honestly say that I have gotten to know these three individuals extremely well and am so glad we took this trip together!
After arriving in Manhattan we abruptly pulled over to the side of the road to grap a picture by the Manhattan sign! (Throughout this trip we were extremely picture crazy!!) That night, we met up with Sharita Lacey, past Kansas State FFA Vice President, as she cultured the Minnesota State FFA Officers by taking us to the Hu Hot Mongolian Grill. Shawn Turner and Morgan Gauby, who were graciously letting us bunk with them, came along for dinner. It was so cool to see the cooks grill and slice your meal right in front of you! After supper, we got a tour of K-State by a true Kansan, visited Manhatten Hill, and went back to the Smith Scholarship House, (Shawn’s Pad), to play ROCK BAND!!
Day 2, May 27
Day two of our Kansas adventure we found ourselves stuffing convention packets, correcting tests, and my favorite, visiting Call Hall for ice cream. After visiting the student center multiple times for sustenance, our day of serving FFA was complete. It was time to again experience the life of a K-State Student! Sharita took us to some hot college spots: Grizzley’s, a popular restaurant, PIlsbury Crossing, a wading/waterfall area, and Top of the World, a lookout over top the town of Kansas.
Grizzley’s restaurant is famous for their chicken fried steak, chicken, and pork. My favorite part about the meal however were the fried pickles with ranch that Sharita made us try. I was a little hesitant at first but now that I’m back in Minnesota I am craving some fried pickles!
Pilsbury Crossing was a great experience and a chance for us to get our feet wet in Kansas soil, literally! Pilsbury Crossing is a huge wading pool with rocks at the bottom that students can wade in. We got some awesome pictures of Derek and Pete trying to brave the waterfall. Luckily, none of them fell in. I can’t wait to come back to Kansas and go visit the crossing again.
Top of the World was another destination we reached. It was a few miles out of town but was worth the drive. Top of the World is in the country outside Manhatten and, once your vehicle makes it up the hill, visitors can step out and have the most spectacular view of the city. I love Manhatten, Kansas!
Day 3, May 28
Sleeping in at a State Convention was a new feeling for us four as we didn’t need to be awake until noon. We found out later that day that Kansas runs their convention way differently than ours. All of their CDEs, except the leadership CDEs, had already been completed and Champions announced. So, the Minnesota State FFA Officers got to help out with timing and recording the Leadership CDEs. I had the amazing opportunity to be in charge of the holding area of the Parliamentary Procedure Finals. My job was to basically entertain the FFA members and calm their nerves as they waited their turn. I got to meet and watch the Parliamentary Procedure Team from the Marysville FFA Chapter. These individuals became my very first Kansan friends and I enjoyed cheering for them all while on the stage later throughout convention.
Being an old-school Creed speaking Champion myself, I jumped at the chance to time Creed speaking preliminaries and finals. It was so amazing to watch these young FFA members overcome their nerves and perform to their best potential. I’ll never forget the eventual Champion, Blaine, who talked about memorizing the FFA Creed under his oat tree drinking his sweat tea in southern Kansas.
Going to Sessions in Kansas was also exciting! After the smoke and laser show were complete, I got to see my friends, the Kansas State FFA Officers serving their state association during convention. The Minnesota Officers learned a lot about how different conventions are run and we will take a lot back to our own convention next year.
Seth Heinert, who I have met on multiple occasions, was the speaker at the night session of Day three. He was phenomenal! When he was the National FFA Secretary, I saw his retiring address which he sang in. His whole address this night was accompanied by music and was a real treat for any music lover! We are definitely looking at him for our convention.
After the night session, it was time for the party of the night: The Kansas FFA Convention Dance! I met some awesome FFA members with some kicking moves at this dance! It was great to see all 500 plus FFA members who were at the dance coming together and celebrating the future of FFA. Truly, the Minnesota Officers had a blast meeting the Kansas State Officer Candidates and hanging out with Becky and Morgan (National Officers). Once the dance was over, we all experienced our first Sonic Slushies and headed to bed, but not before meeting some FFA members walking through the drive through.
Day 4, May 29
Our Final day in Kansas! The Nebraska and South Dakota State Officers had arrived the night before so Sharita put them to work and us Minnesoootans were free to attend sessions, roam Kansas, and meet new people! My favorite part about Day four was going to Aggieville, which is a village in K-State that has tons of restaurants and hot hang outs. We visited the So Long Saloon for lunch and had the best burgers any of us have ever tasted. We also took our last opportunity to buy some fried pickles which were even better the second time. Food seemed to be the theme of the Day as we returned to Call Hall for our last chance to get some ice cream!
Attending the session that night, we got to hear the inspiring words of Shawn Harper, former NFL Pro Football Player who inspired people to choose their path! He had a phenomenal message and could rip two phone books in half which made him the coolest speaker ever! We are seriously looking at him for State Convention.
After the session was over, we headed back to the Smith House to say our final goodbyes. It was sad to say goodbye to the new found friends we had made knowing that it may be the last time we see them. However, much convincing was done to encourage our new Kansan friends to attend our convention next April! Hopefully we will see them again!
Hitting the road, we stopped at our favorite restaurant before we left Manhattan: McDonalds. Pete and I got to sleep first shift from 10:30 to 2:00 a.m. and then drive from 2:00 to 6:00. Let me tell you, when Caitlin and Derek woke up the next morning when we got back to Albert Lea at 6:30, they were a little crabby with Pete and my loopiness, but I promise it was only from lack of sleep.
Day 5, May 30
Crashing at Pete’s house for a few hours before I headed home was the most phenomenal sleep I’ve ever had in my entire life! I left Pete’s at about ten and headed home on I-90, but not before visiting one of my best FFA friends, Logan Hansen in Albert Lea. He took me to his favorite Chinese restaurant called the Wok and Roll. It was a great time catching up with an old friend who has made a huge impact on my FFA life. Finally it was time to head home, sleep and remember all the amazing times I had with my new teammates and friends in Kansas!
No comments:
Post a Comment