Students Gather At The BOK Center For The Future Farmers Of America State Convention

Thousands of people from across the state are in town this week for the State FFA Convention.

This is the second consecutive year the Future Farmers of America convention has been in Tulsa.

Over 360 chapters are represented at the convention, which is a culmination of the year's work and an opportunity to grow in the year to come.

Students, parents, and teachers filled the stands inside the BOK Center Wednesday. FFA state leaders say the event brought around 15,000 people to town.

Scott Nemecek is the State FFA Advisor.

"It's a big event for us, it's a big event for Tulsa as well. And we're super happy for the opportunity for the students to be able to come here and celebrate their year," Nemecek said.

Throughout the two days, students hear from speakers, attend workshops and awards ceremonies and elect new state officers.

Moore Public Schools students and FFA President and Secretary Collin Adamo and Diego Lopez say they love coming to the convention.

"You just feel this like sense of admiration in a way, like the hard work is paid off. The fruits of your labor," Lopez said.

Moore Public Schools Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor Garrett Saunders says State Convention is the highlight of the year revealing the student's months of hard work.

"Starting back from July all the way to May, we're either going to contests or conferences, some types of competitions to build leadership, personal growth to help these students find a path and a future in agricultural education," Saunders said.

Adamo says he enjoys running into friends from other chapters and learning leadership skills from the events.

"Being able to take those back and apply them to your own chapter to benefit you in the next year is one of the most beneficial things from state convention," Adamo said.

From Binger to Dewey to Skiatook and across the map, Saunders says it's a unique experience for his students.

"We get to bring in that feeling that it is one big FFA family," Saunders said.

The convention wraps up Wednesday night.