Letter to the Editor - Grapeland FFA #2

The four students that attended the National FFA Convention from Grapeland this year were Shelby Bruner, Elizabeth Conner, Atlana Watson, and Lacy Amos. Shelby and Elizabeth tried out for the national chorus back at the beginning of the summer. We learned at the beginning of school that they both had been selected for the chorus. This is a 90 member choir that performs all week during the convention. The members are selected nationwide from hundreds of applications. We did not know until we arrived in Indianapolis that Shelby and Elizabeth were the only members of the choir from Texas. Once they arrive and start their rehearsals each member may try out for solo performances and speaking parts during the week. Elizabeth won two solo performances and Shelby a speaking part. Also while at the convention Atlana, Lacy and Elizabeth competed in a National FFA Quiz contest. The competition was held at a local high school with teams from all over the country competing. The contest is open to all ninth and tenth grade FFA members. This was our first year to compete in this contest and we only had three members, there were usually four to a team. Grapeland’s team placed 11th in the nation and Atlana Watson was the seventh overall high individual.

The members took advantage of many opportunities while there such as attending the nation’s largest career show, touring the Indiana farm country and Amish community, visiting an Amish school, listening to motivational speakers, and meeting people from all over the country.

We want to thank the many people that helped to make this trip possible including Tom and Vicki Gates, Chuck and Kim Spellman, Grapeland State Bank, Kevin Maxwell, Brandon Bridges, Grapeland Noon Lions Club, Tom Keith, Hochheim Prairie Ins., Bartee Construction, Harry Pridgen, Grapeland Fuel and the many that bought raffle tickets for the picnic table and steer.

Thank you,

Grapeland FFA