FFA goes virtual

Several parish Future Farmer of America students attend virtual sessions
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This summer among many new adaptations surrounding the nemesis COVID19, the Louisiana State FFA Association was among many organizations that tried to continue “business as usual” in a very different format.
FFA Leadership Camp and Delegate Business sessions are usually held at a physical setting where hundreds of FFA members and advisors from around the state gather together for activities and organizational matters. This year, for the first time, it was all done from home where social distancing was implemented to the max.
The week of July 13, FFA members from Evangeline Parish “Zoomed In” on three days of Area Leadership Camp while on July 22, 24, and 28, members of the Basile and Ville Platte FFA chapters signed into Zoom for the FFA Virtual Delegate Sessions. Members missed the interaction with their peers and advisors but realized there was still business that needed to be addressed. Jayce Smith and Wesley Lejeune represented BHS along with Lauren DeVille, Abigail Thomas, and Lauren Guilbeau from Ville Platte FFA.
Lauren DeVille, who is very shy and usually quiet amongst crowds of people, said it was a lot easier than she expected to speak to a group of people on the computer. So much so, that for the second session, she didn’t hesitate to voice her opinions before a vote was taken.
Even though Jayce Smith did not get to experience sweating in the blue corduroy, he still confided to his advisor, Christina Lejeune, that it was a unique experience and appreciated the opportunity to represent Basile FFA.
These FFA members will represent their schools and advisors once again on August 3-5 while attending the first ever Virtual Louisiana State FFA Convention. Natalie Guillory, advisor of Ville Platte FFA, stated “Like everyone else we have to adapt. For the benefit of our members and students, we will do what is required to the best of our ability.”