The St. Joseph FFA were excited to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
They were even more excited when they heard who the keynote speaker would be.
“It was truly one of the most memorable moments in my life to hear President Trump speak,” said FFA member Abby Schlueter.
Schlueter said she is used to hearing about The President on the news and on social media but never expected to see him in person.
“The experience was almost as if a movie star came to speech,” she said. “He is just that big of a celebrity and no one really ever expects to see him in person.”
The National FFA Organization traditionally invites the sitting president to make remarks during its annual national convention and expo. The first president to address FFA was Former President Harry S. Truman in 1957. Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter spoke in 1974 and 1978, respectively. s Vice President, George H.W. Bush spoke in 1987 followed by a pre-recorded message from President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Then, as president, H.W. Bush spoke in 1991. First Lady Michelle Obama also brought pre-recorded greetings in 2015, and Vice President Mike Pence did the same at last year’s convention.
Schlueter said the energy in the convention center was almost electric when The President was about to speak.
“We had a long pause in the session while he was getting ready backstage and you could feel the suspense whenever a song would end and everyone would wait to see him come out from backstage,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room so full of eagerness and anticipation before.”
Schlueter said the security to get into see hear The President speak was heavy, which was to be expected. Schlueter, who was a convention delegate, got to go into a special line that speed up the process. She still had to go through a metal detector and have her jacket inspected.
“Once we were allowed in and once we got in, about two hours before the session started, we weren’t allowed to leave,” Schlueter said. “Regardless of political association, I think it is very amazing that President Trump came to speak with FFA members and I hope more presidents will follow his lead in following years.”
Schlueter said the National FFA is one of the most impactful events that FFA members can attend.
“Something about seeing a sea of blue corduroy jackets everywhere you look gives you this great feeling like you are a part of something bigger than yourself but also that you belong,” Schlueter said. “We may all have different states or chapters or names embroidered onto our jackets but we are all there for the same purpose, to become the leaders of the future, whether that be in agriculture or not. Even if a member doesn’t go on to have a leadership position in the organization, everyone has a part and everyone is valued and important.”
Schlueter said she feels it is important for the SJO FFA to participate in national events because it helps them expand their world view.
“Being able to attend these national events with people that have different backgrounds or opinions than you is essential to better understanding the world and being prepared for a future outside of this town,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love St. Joseph and all the people here, but unique experiences can be few and far between without organizations like FFA giving students the opportunity to go outside their comfort zones.”
Schlueter has been to the national convention three times but this was her first time attending as a delegate. Being a delegate allowed Schlueter to sit on the convention floor close to the stage, attend luncheons with other state associations, vote during all of the business sessions and enabled her to play a part in the decisions being made for the future of the national organization.
“All of the new friends that I made because I was a delegate were definitely my favorite part,” she said.
Schlueter said her favorite part of FFA is its ability to bring people together, no matter their background, political orientation, upbringing, race or ability. She said that she was agile to find a family and a group in supporters in FFA that she doubts she would have found in another organization, sport or extra curricular.
“I know that I have made friends for life and I know that if I ever have any problems I will always be able to count on FFA members or my advisor to help get me through them,” she said. “I just am always in awe in how people who could be so divided can come together with so much passion for an organization.”
