WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the summer, the Washington Leadership Conference welcomed FFA members from across the nation for a week of leadership training and personal development. From July 16 to 21, students learned the importance of making a positive impact in their communities, guided by the motto, “To do what they can, with what they have, where they are!”
This year, the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter was represented by two scholarship recipients, Emma Strickler and Catherine Buckley, who attended the conference thanks to Memorial Awards established in honor of Rusty Bowers and Becky Strickler—two former members who passed away during their FFA tenure. Their families set up these scholarships to support A-C FFA students’ participation in this meaningful experience.
Throughout the week, participants engaged in leadership-building sessions and created “Living to Serve” plans, where they identified local issues and developed actionable solutions. Attendees were encouraged to collaborate with their chapter officer team to implement these plans in their hometowns.
In addition to the educational sessions, the conference included sightseeing opportunities. Participants enjoyed a night tour of Washington, D.C., visiting various monuments and memorials, and attended the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Strickler and Buckley also had the chance to meet with legislative staffers and explore the House Agriculture Committee room during their visit to Capitol Hill.
To cap off the impactful week, all attendees participated in a community service project, packing food bags for the homeless in Washington, D.C. The Amanda-Clearcreek FFA members left the conference with unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and invaluable lessons to carry forward in their lives.
