The organization hoped for an in-person gathering with Minnesota FFA postponed its annual convention until June, but current COVID-19 conditions lead to a virtual convention May 19-21.
“We are holding on to hope to be able to hold an FFA Celebration Sept. 1 as part of the Minnesota State Fair in order to come together and celebrate in community,” State Executive Director Juleah Tolosky said.
Tolosky said the organization made the decision in tandem with teacher leaders across Minnesota.
“We determined that if we couldn’t confidently predict a date when we could gather together in accordance with state health and education recommendations, we needed to make a change in order to celebrate students in a timely and definitive manner,” Tolosky said.
Convention will be held over three days with predictable schedules that are a mix of pre-developed and live, interactive content such as workshops, panels and social events. Some small segments will be released for family and friends to celebrate student success.
State officer retiring addresses, leadership messages and FFA traditions will continue in this new format.
“We’re looking forward to being able to include new opportunities to engage partners who might not have been able to participate in a physical event,” Tolosky said. “One of our students even pointed out that there will likely be students who participate virtually who would not have been able to afford to otherwise.”
Tolosky expressed pride in the humility and executive-level thinking students displayed throughout the changes.
–Kaitlyn Riley
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