I hope I don't sound too excited in the title of this blog; however, the truth is upon us - school is back in session. I hope everyone had a fanatstic Holiday Break and a Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but mine went by so fast. In OSU, we get about 4 weeks off in between fall and winter quarter, but it sure didn't seem like 4 weeks. Wow does time fly.
I did have an awesome break, though! While I was on break, I had the opportunity to attend two schools - a chapter visit in Lancaster and a Greenhand Ceremony in Fairfield Union. I must say that I enjoyed myself while I was talking with the students in Lancaster - that was a lot of fun! You all are so entertaining! Thanks for making my visit a great one.
Like I wrote before, I attended and spoke at the Fairfield Union Greenhand Ceremony. However, this was not in the schedule for my Thursday night. Allow me to explain. Around noon on that Thursday, I received a call from our State Reporter, Jodi Roush, telling me that she was sick and could not speak at the Ceremony that night which she was already scheduled to attend. I couldn't let Jodi or the FFA members at Fairfield Union down, so I said that I would go in her place. Of course, I had to prepare extremly fast for the speech I was going to present. I hope everyone in Fairfield Union enjoyed my speech; you were such a good audience! I really enjoyed speaking for you; and I must say, I have never in my life seen an arm-wrestling tournament in such a capacity as yours! Wow!
To everyone else, I hope you all have a Happy New Year and don't forget to keep your FFA Pride shining bright!
-Nick Higgins

Holy cow...this is the first time this week that I have actually had a chance to sit down and write about my time at National Convention last week. I've been pretty busy playing catch-up in my classes and taking make-up exams. All is well now, and most importantly, I can talk to all of you!

Hopefully all of you Ohio FFA members who went to National Convention thought the same thing I did - it was absolutely AMAZING! Like always, there was so much to do and so many things to see, but this year was a little different for me. Its probably because this was my first convention in Indianapolis. I had been to three conventions prior to last week, and they had all been in Louisville, KY. I must say that Indy is a great city.

Another thing that made this convention a little different was the fact that I served as a delegate representing the great state of Ohio. This meant that I was able to vote on some things that the National FFA brought up to us. It was a pretty cool experience! Of course, I love debating and getting into politics, so this had me interested right from the beginning.

Let me go through my week for you day by day.
Sunday - The other state officers and I arrived in Indianapolis around 6:00 pm and got prepared for a very busy week.
Monday - We participated in a National Day of Service with other delegates from other states. The group I was in was with a few delegates from Arkansas (shout-out to Zack, Ryan, and Steven!) and Georgia (shout-out to Shelly and Anna!). We worked on restoring a farm-house for the community. Some of our jobs included cleaning out an old barn full of six-year-old hay, building a fence around the property, and cleaning out weeds around the house. This sounds like hard work, but we had fun with it!
Tuesday - This was the first day we had delegate meetings to discuss our topics of what the National FFA wanted to discuss. We were divided up into six different topics or committees. This is where we debated and discussed a particular issue. I gave a testimony (speech) to the delegate committee about what Ohio's idea was for our issue, which was establishing a National FFA Week of Service. This was a pretty neat experience.
Wednesday - We had our final committee meetings and voted on the issues at hand. Then we came together as one large delegate body and voted on more issues. This was really cool, but it did take a while. Parliamentary Procedure was used a lot in these processes, so keep on practicing those abilities!
Thursday - I went to the First Session of Convention and got to sit on the delegate floor and be in all of the action! This was awesome! We got up and danced when the new "Blue Jackets, Bright Futures" song came on. I have to admit, this new song is pretty cool! We also got to make the tunnel for the National Officers to come running through to the stage. The keynote speaker for the morning was Dr. Rick Rigsby, who had a great message for everyone. After lunch was the Second Covention Session where Kacy Baugher, National Secretary, gave her retiring address speech. Finally, that night was the Buckeye Bash, and I hope that everyone who went had an awesome time! I know I did! Go BUCKS!
Friday - I went to the Fourth Convention Session, and Janette Barnard gave her retiring address. The keynote speaker for the morning was Chad Hymas, and he had a very inspiring message on vision. After lunch was the Fifth Convention Session where three very deserving individuals from Ohio recieved the National Agri-Entrepreneurship Award. Congratulations Tyler, Wesley VanScoy, and Michael Williams! Right after this session was the Sixth Convention Session where eight very worthy Ohioans received National Proficiency Awards. Congratulations to Dakota Shaw, Tyler Schindel, Abby Snyder, Amanda Beck, Sara Nichols, Samantha McAdams, Cody Clifton, and Brock Williamson! After dinner was the Seventh Convention Session where Abby Snyder was recognized as a National Agriscience Student. The keynote speaker for the evening was Henry Winkler! He was very funny, but still had a great message.
Saturday - I went to the Eighth Convention Session, where the American Degree Ceremony was held. Congratulations to all of the members who received their degree! This is a very prestigious honor! Afterwards, we checked out of our hotel and went to lunch. Then, after lunch, we went to the Ninth and Final Convention Session where the new National Officers were announced. If you would like to know who your new National Officers are, go to www.ffa.org and find the link that says "High School" and then "National Officers." Finally, after that last tap of the gavel, convention ended and we were on our way home for Ohio.

As you can see, we had a very busy week, but it was worth it. As I said before, it was an amazing experience. I'm not sure I will ever experience anything like it ever again! So for those of you FFA members who have not yet attended National Convention, I highly suggest you consider it for next year's convention! It will be worth your while, I guarantee it!

Keep wearing those Blue Jackets and continue working toward your Bright Futures, Ohio FFA members!
-Nicholas Higgins, District 7 President

Hello Ohio FFA!

Well, I can say that I have completed my first two chapter visits! I have had a lot of fun with all of you and I can't wait to visit more chapters!

Last Friday I visited the Utica FFA chapter. I hope they had as much fun as I did. Mr. Priest sure seemed like he was having a blast getting involved with his students! I hope the football team played well at Loudonville! I haven't heard anything about the game, yet.

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Danville FFA chapter. Everyone was so excited and fun to talk to, and that's what I like to see - a chapter that's excited about what they are doing! I really liked how the Ag I students were coming up with news brodcasts to help them learn the Creed. Very creative! Keep that pride, and like Ron Burgandy, a.k.a Luke, would say, "Stay classy, Danville!"

I want to wish both chapters the best of luck in all that they do! It was nice getting to meet all of you! I cannot wait to visit more chapters!

Hey Ohio FFA!

I have to say that I had so much fun at both Greenhand Camps! I got to meet so many new faces! Keep in touch!

I hope that everyone had a good time and learned some new things. I know I had a lot of fun with my Adventure Valley groups, and I hope that you did too! Don't forget, all of you should be working on your SMART Goals! You have so many opportunities just waiting for you! If anyone has any questions, don't be afraid to ask me! I'm here to help. Or if you just want someone to talk to, I'm here for that, too. Feel free to email me anytime!

Keep working hard and stay proud, OHIO FFA!

Hey Ohio FFA Members!

Wow, this is my first blog! Sorry that it's kind of late, I've been real busy with everything that I'm doing this summer. Being the Junior Fair Board President for my local fair is a lot of work! I hope that everyone is having a great summer!

I hope everyone had a good time at camp. I wasn't able to be there this year. I had prior committments with my county 4-H program. I attended what is called Citizen Washington Focus. It is a type of leadership convention for 4-H members all over the nation. I don't want to say its like our National FFA Convention, because it is not. However, it is kind of a national convention to 4-H members, but there were only four states during the week I went. You see, the convention lasts about eight weeks through the summer (June - July) and I went during one week. There are only so many states that can go each week, so there are different sessions held throughout the convention, almost like FFA Camp. I must say, though, that the student leaders did try to impersonate what happens at our State and National Convention Opening Ceremonies when the Officers run through the crowd. It was an entertaining experience. I did get the opportunity to walk around Washington D.C. and Capitol Hill. I met with my local Representative, Pat Tiberi, and I went on a tour through the Capitol Building.

I did learn one thing on my trip, though: nobody can do what the FFA does like we do it! Have some pride in being an FFA member because what you are is something that nobody else will be (unless they join the FFA, of course!). I am really excited about serving as your District 7 President! This year is going to be awesome!!! Feel free to e-mail me or respond to this blog! Have a great summer and enjoy yourselves, and don't forget to show some FFA PRIDE!!!

Nicholas Higgins
District 7 President
Ohio FFA Association