Home 
Opinion A grand FFA state convention
A grand FFA state convention
|
The Oregon FFA Convention in La Grande last month was a textbook lesson
in how to do things up big. Those who attended had plenty to do and
see, and they felt right at home. For that, convention organizers and
the community in general deserve a pat on the back. Attracting more than 2,000 people from points all across the state, the event was a stellar opportunity to show off La Grande’s good side. If 2,000 people walked away with a positive impression — and all indications are that they did — the community will benefit for a long time to come in a lot of ways, including future state conventions and other youth groups who now might consider La Grande. Putting on the convention and making sure those who attended had a satisfying experience was no small task. The spirit behind it was Paul Anderes, FFA adviser at La Grande High School. As facilities coordinator, he had charge of making sure things went off without a hitch. From the beginning he rose to the task, looking after details large and small. To say the job kept him busy is an understatement. In the month before the convention, he was receiving 50 e-mails a day from people with questions about the convention. Luckily, Anderes had plenty of help. All the FFA chapters in Union and Wallowa counties pitched in, staging events including a career and trade day, and providing everything from decorative plants for the convention stage, to maps for convention-goers. Eastern Oregon University was a major player as well, hosting break-out sessions on ag-related subjects on campus. And never forget the more than 150 citizens organized by Russell West to judge events. The convention couldn’t have gone on without them. The most important benefit of the convention is that young people learned much and had fun doing it. That in itself was worth all the effort. But as a by-product, local businesses, struggling through the worst economic times since the Great Depression, saw sales increase. Restaurants, motels and retail outlets large and small received a genuine shot in the arm. Ahead of the event, Imbler FFA Adviser J.D. Cant said there’s a chance for La Grande to be picked to host the state convention every three years. That depends, he said, on making a good impression on the FFA. It’s hard to believe anybody walked away with anything but. So many people worked so hard, a memorable convention was the inevitable result. |
