embers of Clarke Central High School’s National FFA Organization stand at the Georgia FFA Convention on April 28, 2025 in Macon, Ga.. At the 2025 convention, CCHS senior Quinn Pendley was voted as Georgia FFA’s Northern Region State Vice President and will give his retiring address at the 98th Georgia FFA Convention, taking place from April 22-25 this year, which FFA Vice President and CCHS sophomore Kaydon Jones is looking forward to. “I want to be able to support (Quinn) as he steps out of his office position. I just feel like it’s just a great opportunity,” Jones said. Photo courtesy of Kaydon Jones
CCHS’ National FFA Organization chapter will attend the 98th Georgia FFA Convention in Macon, Ga,. from April 22-25.
Clarke Central High School’s National Future Farmers of America Organization chapter is taking a trip to Macon, Ga. for the 98th Georgia FFA Convention from April 22-25 to participate in Leadership Development Events, informational sessions, career shows, workshops and more.
Twenty-nine CCHS FFA student officers and Agriculture and Horticulture students who competed in Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE’s and LDE’s) throughout the school year are eligible to attend the convention, as well as many of the 391 FFA chapters within Georgia.
“Not only are (convention participants) getting to be with other FFA chapters from all over Georgia, (they’re) going to get to see FFA alumni and hear from people that are actively involved in supporting the National FFA Organization,” FFA Vice President Kaydon Jones, a CCHS sophomore, said. “(They’re) getting to (go) out of (their) comfort zone and meet new people.”
LDEs, including Extemporaneous public speaking, marketing, planning and parliamentary procedure are scattered throughout the first two days of the convention, while sessions and student leadership workshops are only on Friday and Saturday. These different events serve as an opportunity for CCHS FFA students to showcase their agricultural and leadership skills.
FFA student officer and Clarke Central High School junior Colin Boyle stands in the CCHS courtyard on March 31. After participating in nursery landscaping competitions throughout the school year, Boyle is going to the state convention for the second time. “People really do work hard for these competitions, and it does require a lot of studying and work. I think it’s important to show people how much agriculture means to people in Clarke County,” Boyle said. Photo by Miriam Silk
“State convention brings together students from all across Georgia—urban, rural, and everything in between,for a common purpose: leadership through agricultural education,” CCHS Career, Technical and Agricultural Education department teacher and FFA co-adviser Anthony Brooks said. “Our students may not all come from traditional agricultural backgrounds, but they bring unique perspectives and experiences.”
This year at the state convention, six CCHS FFA students are earning the State FFA Degree, which is the “highest level of membership the Georgia Association may bestow upon a member,” according to the Georgia FFA Association. Additionally CCHS also has a student receiving a scholarship at the convention, six students being recognized for their success in CDEs, and a student being recognized for their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
“(The convention has) always been incredibly rewarding. Each year we’ve seen our students grow, both personally and professionally, and receive more recognition for their hard work,” Brooks said. “It’s a great opportunity to celebrate their achievements and see them shine on a bigger stage.”
“Not only are (convention participants) getting to be with other FFA chapters from all over Georgia, (they’re) going to get to see FFA alumni and hear from people that are actively involved in supporting the National FFA Organization.”
— Kaydon Jones,
FFA Vice President
Other than the FFA-related competitions, the convention will also host a career show, keynote speakers, and this year, a concert featuring Georgia Native and American Idol Performer Will Mosely.
“State convention is where you get to see how we all come together even though we have our separate chapters all over Georgia,” Jones said. “Even though we’re separated, we’re all one organization with one sole purpose.”
