Zoey McClintock, Sophia Newton, and Abby McKenna at the FFA Rodeo.

Levi Lutz and Bri Dulin playing Shuffle Board at Brother’s restaurant. 

Levi Lutz, Jonah Meyer, Cole Birker, and Zoey McClintock experiencing Horse Racing simulations at the Churchill Down Museum.

Sophia Newton, Kassidi Brunssen, Raine Wheeler, Ciara Dods, and Abby McKenna coloring during their stop at the John Deere Pavilion.

Group photo: 

By: Co-Reporter, Bri Dulin

From October 28th to November 1st, 19 Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, joining thousands of students from across the country to celebrate leadership, agriculture, and the FFA spirit. The trip began early Tuesday morning with a stop at the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois, where members toured exhibits and learned about the history and innovation behind one of agriculture’s biggest brands. Afterward, the chapter made their way to Indianapolis, where they settled into their hotel and participated in a quiz competition before enjoying dinner together at Buca di Beppo sponsored by the Vinton-Shellsburg Alumni & Supporters Chapter.

Our teams earned 9th, 10th, 14th, and 38th place for the quiz. Notable individual finishes are Ciara Dods- 23rd place, Will McKenna- 36th, Raine Wheeler- 39th place, Andrew Allsup- 41st place, and Zane Helter- 46th place out of 323 individuals.

Congrats to all members on their performance in the National FFA Quiz! On Wednesday, members traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for a full day of learning and fun. Stops included Churchill Downs, where students enjoyed a Backstretch Breakfast Tour, followed by visits to the Louisville Slugger Museum, and Schimpff’s Confectionery, all offering unique insights into history, production, and local business.

Thursday and Friday were packed with National Convention activities, including leadership workshops, career expos, and general sessions featuring inspiring keynote speakers and national officers’ retiring addresses. The chapter also celebrated a major achievement as Vinton-Shellsburg FFA received a Three-Star National Chapter Award (accepted by Kirsten Pettit and Ali Lutz), one of the highest honors a chapter can earn.

Members also attended the FFA Rodeo, explored the convention’s massive expo hall, and connected with FFA members from all over the nation. The trip concluded on Saturday with the American FFA Degree Ceremony, where members proudly cheered for Matthew Bookmeier and Clayton McKenna, who received the highest degree achievable in the organization. Following the ceremony, the group began their journey home tired but full of memories, friendships, and inspiration to continue growing as leaders. The 98th National FFA Convention & Expo was not just a trip, but an unforgettable experience that strengthened the chapter’s bond and reminded members why they wear the blue jacket with pride.