Attendees from one of the weeks of the Washington Leadership Conference pose for a group photo.
When Daren Deftereos signed up for the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in Washington, D.C., it wasn’t just because of the tours of the National Mall, U.S. Capitol and Smithsonian Museums. The Hanford FFA member from California hoped attending the conference would help him develop leadership skills.
“I’m always trying to be a better person and a better leader,” he says.
WLC includes opportunities to explore the nation’s capital while engaging with legislators and honing leadership skills. The conference culminates with members creating Living to Serve plans, which outline civic engagement projects they will implement in their communities after the conference.
“It pushes students outside of their comfort zone and allows them to meet others from all over the country,” says national FFA program specialist Payton Carter. “It also empowers them to come home and make a difference.”
People-Focused Passion Projects
Students are encouraged to let their passions guide their Living to Serve plans. Past projects have ranged from hosting food drives to fishing outings with veterans. In 2024, Kuna FFA member Audrey Schwisow developed a plan to create mental health spaces in schools.
“There’s a lot of stressful moments at schools,” Schwisow says. “A lot of students in my Idaho school who are struggling go into the bathroom. So, having a safe space to step away for a minute would really help.”
Deftereos’ Living to Serve plan includes using social media as a tool for spreading positivity and hope, and he left WLC ready to bring his ideas to life.
“The coolest part about being at a national conference was meeting people from a lot of different backgrounds,” he says.
Schwisow, who left WLC with new friends from Wisconsin, Missouri and North Carolina, says, “Creating those connections with others around the country was really cool. I enjoyed hearing about their backgrounds and how their chapters worked.”
Parkview FFA Alumna Emily Sheehan from Wisconsin chats with workshop attendees during the 2024 Washington Leadership Conference.
After the conference, students are invited to join a Facebook group that includes all past WLC participants to share updates on their plans. Carter also posts information about National FFA grants that could help fund community service projects.
“You can come home and use what you learned to help improve your chapter and your community,” Carter says. “Any student who’s thinking of going [to WLC] should take the chance to get a new perspective and see what FFA is like outside of their community.”
Make Plans to Attend
Spend this summer investing in your personal growth by attending WLC (or another FFA conference near you!). Click here to access everything related to WLC, including 2025 dates, helpful resources and participant testimonials.
