There were many reasons for the Stone Ridge Christian chapter to be excited about the 2017-2018 90th Annual California FFA State Leadership Conference in Anaheim.
First of all, it was their first year as a chapter and members were thrilled to be able to be a part of the California FFA Association. Second, they had three members in the state chorus, one member as the committee chair for the Courtesy Corps, they were receiving our charter at the opening session, and they were displaying our Hall of Chapters booth at the conference's career show.
Stone Ridge took over 50% of their chapter to Anaheim to make memories, learn a lot, have fun, attend session, and even go to an exclusive FFA member-only event at California Adventures!
For some students, the journey began on Saturday, April 21st. The Hall of Chapters crew headed down around 7:30, while the delegates and choir members waited for the dairy products team to finish up a Fresno competition. Upon arriving, they started setting up their booth (they were the first and only chapter there that day), ate dinner together, and went to bed exhausted from their day.
Sunday morning, they finished setting up our booth, welcomed the remainder of their group who arrived early that afternoon, and got the last few things done before the career show began at 2. Students enjoyed the opening session as they cheered on their delegates as they received their charter.
Monday was another busy day for them as it was the judging day for the booth. They felt confident in themselves as judges spontaneously came around, asked us questions, and explored the barn. They enjoyed a chapter dinner at IHOP and got ready for the fourth session. The SRC FFA chapter prepared to cheer on the co-chairs of the booth's committee as they were to go on stage that night to find out the results of the contest. Everyone was ecstatic to find out that their chapter won the Hall of Chapters competition. They're going to nationals!
Tuesday was Disneyland bound; they cleaned up our booth and loaded it up after that day's career show and walked over to California Adventures! SRC FFA members had a blast together, whether on the rides, eating, or just hanging out.
The closing and final session was Wednesday morning, and everyone was tired from the night before. The 2018-2019 State Officers were installed as everyone gave them a California FFA welcome! As they drove back home, they shared all of our memories, pictures, and happenings with each other. They cannot wait for next year!