What began as a musical performance by the 1930 Marion County FFA Chapter band has since become an indispensable part of national convention. Sponsored by Wrangler, the National FFA Talent program is celebrating its 75th anniversary of showcasing the abilities of gifted FFA members from across the nation.
“[Students] apply early in the year, and then I go over those applications and select the top 25 to 50 students to come and join us here in Indianapolis,” says Sierra Milligan, National FFA talent director. “They compete in three different rounds within our talent competition.”
Among this year’s cohort of judges is Alex Miller, a Garrard County FFA alumnus, 2019 National FFA Talent participant and former American Idol contestant. Miller opened for country music artist Brett Young during the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo.
“The talent show is an important tradition because…whenever I was growing up in Lancaster, Ky., I was a musician; I played guitar and sang,” Miller says. “It was a way for me to get involved with my chapter…and be competitive as well.”
Out of this year’s 28 National FFA Talent contestants, Santa Rosa FFA member and mariachi artist Adrian Soto received the top honor.
“To me, it really doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or what you do,” Soto says. “We are all treated the same here, so it’s an honor that I can feel like home through presenting what I love to do and my passion.”
Article edited by FFA New Horizons editor Lauren Quinlan.
