FFA members attended the Three Rivers Federation Leadership Conference at the North Carolina FFA Center.
The North Carolina FFA Center at White Lake is the second oldest FFA camp in the nation. Since 1928, more than 150,000 FFA members have made lifelong memories at White Lake while attending summer recreational camp, wildlife camp and State Leadership Conference.
“It is always busy over the summer,” says Three Rivers Federation President Ashtyn Worthington.
The Off-Season
Aside from summer fun at White Lake for North Carolina FFA members, the campgrounds can be rented out in the off-season for a variety of events. The Three Rivers Federation saw this opportunity and, due to an exponential increase in interest, decided to host its Federation Leadership Conference (FLC) at the North Carolina FFA Center for the past three years.
On Dec. 6, 2024, more than 90 FFA members from Bladen and Columbus Counties in North Carolina arrived at White Lake to participate in a day full of creating lifelong friendships and leadership skills.
Members rotated through various workshops during the conference, which were all related to the theme of “Harvesting Your Potential.” Some examples of workshop topics were “Cultivating Relationships” and “Growing Trust,” which are essential to understanding how to become the best leader you can be. Following four rotations of workshops led by federation officers, lunch was provided and donated by John and Emily Grice, both FFA Alumni who served as federation officers while in high school. Emily Grass now serves as a school board member for Columbus County Schools.
“I think it is great we are able to use such a large facility for such a personal experience,” says Greyanna Brown, the Federation’s reporter. “We are beyond grateful for Mrs. Loflin, state staff and all of the individuals who helped make this event possible.”
Once lunch concluded, Walt Moore, a North Carolina FFA state vice president, facilitated a workshop. Members then played bingo before final remarks, and students loaded the buses to return home.
Lasting Memories
“We are very thankful state staff allows us to use these facilities,” Worthington says. “I hope FLC will continue to grow in the future, giving students more opportunities to improve their leadership skills and to create relationships that will last a lifetime.”
2024-25 Three Rivers Federation Officer Team:
- President Ashtyn Worthington (Whiteville High)
- Vice President Dulce Torres (West Columbus High)
- Secretary Lacier Mercer (South Columbus)
- Treasurer Laney Barnhill (South Columbus)
- Reporter Greyanna Brown (Whiteville High)
- Sentinel Jonas Anderson (West Columbus High)
- Chaplain Ethan Hammond (West Columbus High)
- Historian Trey Clark (Whiteville High)
- Parliamentarian Sara Sessions (East Columbus High)
- Junior Advisor Ben Long (East Columbus High)
