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Anderson Takes Fifth Place At National Agriscience Fair
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Ten members of the Escalon FFA attended the National Convention in Indianapolis in October. Photo Contributed

Two weeks ago, from October 19 through 22, the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo brought together over 60,000 FFA members from across the nation, including 10 from Escalon, to Indianapolis, Indiana. Among the Escalon ten was Lexi Anderson who was slated to compete in the National Agriscience Fair in the Social Systems category after winning that category when the California Agriscience Fair was held in Fresno this April.

Anderson’s project was a survey that asked questions pertaining to sugar and its health effects. Due to Anderson’s in depth analysis of the results she gathered in a unique topic, as well as the painstaking detail she put into the report of her findings, she was able to impress the judges at the California Fair enough to be sent on the National Agriscience Fair.

There, she gave a presentation detailing the methodology of her survey and of the conclusions she was able to make. After being adjudicated for the professionality of her presentation as well as the organization with which her results and lab report were given to the judges, Anderson was able to win the fifth place spot in the Social Systems category for the entire United States.

Escalon’s representatives to the convention were Sidney Saunders, Mary Adams, Rachel Swift, Emma Santellan, Bella Medina, Rowan Murphy, Lexi Anderson, Natalie Bianchi, Cydney Keener and Julia Orlando.

Besides the Agriscience Fair, numerous Speaking Competitions and Career Development Event (CDE) Competitions are held at the annual convention to pit the best of the best from across the nation against each other to award national championships. Furthermore, the “Star” awards, including Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement, Star in Agriscience, and Star Farmer, are announced to honor individuals for their outstanding contributions and participation in the Agricultural Industry.

At National Convention, delegates from each State’s or Territory’s FFA Association vote on constitutional amendments and elect the new National Officer Team. At the National FFA Expo, students are given the opportunity to connect with representatives from agricultural colleges and universities, large agribusinesses like Monsanto, and other influential members of the Agricultural Industry. One Escalon FFA member was even able to meet famous Television Veterinarian, Dr. Jan Pol, from The Incredible Dr. Pol.

National Convention is an event that brings thousands together for a common purpose. It educates FFA members about the opportunities and innovations in agriculture, it encourages attendees to get involved in their local agricultural industries, it connects people from distant corners of the country, and it recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of FFA members, like our very own Lexi Anderson.