Camdyn Price will never forget the first time he saw a sea of blue corduroy jackets when he attended the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in 2022.
“Seeing all of those jackets together, with different states on their backs, talking to each other like they were old friends, is a memory that really sticks with you,” Price said. “Everyone is wearing the same jacket, and they’re there for the same reason — to become a better leader.”
Price, a senior at Clinton Central in Michigantown, Ind., has been a member of the Clinton Central FFA chapter since he was an eighth grader. Price has been involved in a myriad of activities throughout his time in FFA — but his experience at WLC will always stand out as one of his most memorable FFA experiences.
His trip to Washington, D.C., was made possible by the Travis Stowers Endowment. Travis, a dedicated FFA member, participated in WLC just before his death in 2001. After donations were made in honor of Travis, his parents, Alan and Sherry, created an endowment to fund the Travis Stowers WLC Scholarship.
“It’s really meaningful knowing the story behind it,” Price said. “Giving other FFA members the same opportunity Travis had through this gift is inspiring, and I was so grateful they gave me the opportunity for that experience.”
Price still stays in contact with his roommates from his WLC experience. Sharing that time with three other people he didn’t know before the trip, but walking away as friends at the end, is one of several reasons he encourages other FFA members to attend WLC.
“I think it really showed me how FFA brings people together,” Price said.
Price is wrapping up his FFA career on a high note, having made it to the state persuasive essay leadership development event and winning his district proficiency award in landscape installation. He plans to take his entrepreneurial and leadership skills to the next level as he begins his college journey in the fall at Indiana University-Kokomo, with the dream of managing his own golf course one day. He says his Supervised Agricultural Experience in landscape management helped him realize that dream.
“FFA can take you anywhere you want to go,” Price said. “I’m really grateful for every opportunity and the support I’ve had along the way.”
