This content series shines a light on some of the FFA members and alumni who propel national convention forward, and offers an inside look at their responsibilities during the week.
The National FFA Convention & Expo brings together over 70,000 members and requires many helping hands to make it all happen. FFA members serving with the Courtesy Corps volunteer in various areas and ensure all members have seamless convention experiences.
Kaylie Petteys from New York is managing a cash register at the ShopFFA Mega Store. She says everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to give back in this way.
“I think it’s cool how we get to help them out and they’re helping us,” Petteys says. “I see different people coming through here and faces and personalities. I have talked to almost every single person that’s gone through the line and just listened to their stories.”
Giving Back
Emma Roeben of the Narragansett FFA in Rhode Island says she was interested in volunteering with the Courtesy Corps, specifically with the Dairy Cattle Management and Evaluation CDE, because she wanted to see how the event works.
“I helped with keeping the ring organized and I helped with the announcers,” she says. “I was able to really watch how they did it and how the people did the judging.”
Helping out at convention in this capacity is an important part of being an FFA member, she adds. “There’s a lot of time and effort put into the convention. To be able to help out and put a little bit back in is really nice.”
Roeben’s FFA advisor, Aaron Gathen, says having students participate in the Courtesy Corps is also important coming from a small state because they can see the scope of agriculture nationwide.
“Students having that involvement in helping allows us as a state to bring more students out and allow them to see what this convention is,” Gathen says.
Be an Example
Bailee Pennington from the South Laurel FFA in Kentucky helps with the rodeo flag presentation. She says it’s important to set an example for younger FFA members at convention.
“They can see our example and maybe help others as we help them,” Pennington says.
Kiera Oakley, also from South Laurel FFA, looks forward to being involved in the flag presentation.
“My family is really patriotic and military-based, so I’m excited to just get to hold the flag. I think that’s a big honor,” Oakley says.
For any FFA member considering volunteering with the Courtesy Corps, Oakley offers this advice: “Get out there and do it because in the end, you’ll regret it if you didn’t and you always come out with a better experience. If you just go ahead and do it, you’ll be glad you did!”
