National Officer

Success boils down to two important components, persistence and focus. In this retiring address, 2017-18 National FFA Southern Region Vice President Ian Bennett discusses how we encounter challenges on our path to success and how we need to be persistent and focused throughout these many challenges to achieve success.

Fear is a feeling that creeps up in everyday life, anything from fearing the judgment of peers to bigger feelings such as being unwanted. We should not let fear control our lives. We need to learn to combat the fears. Erica Baier discusses fear and why we need to overcome our biggest obstacle … ourselves.

A lesson plan to accompany the 2017-18 National FFA President Breanna Holbert's retiring address.

The following activity is designed to help guide students through keynote speeches and retiring addresses from National FFA Convention. Students will have the opportunity to think critically and apply messages conveyed through the presentations.

"The Book of Life" is a 50-minute FFA personal growth lesson plan in which students watch a National FFA officer's retiring address and reflect on the chapters of their own lives.

"Take a Stand!" is a 50-minute FFA leadership/personal growth lesson built around Sarah Draper's National FFA retiring address video.

"Listen Closely" is a 50-minute FFA lesson plan that helps students distinguish between listening and hearing and develop a personal plan to become a better listener.

"Have Heart!" is a 45-minute FFA quick lesson plan on commitment, built around viewing 2015-16 National FFA President Taylor McNeel's Retiring Address and completing a "Commitment" worksheet.

"Choose to See Hope" is a 50-minute personal growth lesson plan from the National FFA Organization in which students watch the 2015-2016 National FFA Vice President Sydney Snider's retiring address…

"All You All the Time" is a 50-minute FFA personal growth lesson in which students reflect on who they are and who they want to become.