Every year, an Advanced Leadership Academy/Made For Excellence (ALA/MFE) conference takes place, resulting in an FFA Bear River chapter return. With the excitement comes eager new students who are excited to learn the ropes.

“You get placed into a conference, and you are shown how to be a better leader, how to have better skills, and how to better yourself,” said Sophomore Connor McGehee. “They also show you how to lead a group without being overbearing.”

Bear River FFA teacher, Steve Paasch, explained what these conferences are all about.

“These conferences are about learning interpersonal skills,” said Mr. Paasch. “You also learn how to read people and be professional with your actions.”

Junior Kaitlyn Lorenzo reminisces about her trip to the MFE conference last year.

“I went last year and I had a lot of fun,” said Lorenzo. “It’s a lot of discovering yourself as a leader and team building. I have heard that ALA is how you can bring all that information and back to your chapter as an individual.”

Sophomore Alyssa Downes also shared her own favorite memories from last year.

“I went last year as well,” said Downes. “I got to meet a lot of new people and learn a lot more about FFA that I didn’t know.”

McGehee agreed with his fellow classmate Downes.

“My first year was last year and it was a lot of fun,” said McGehee. “ I loved meeting new people from different chapters and learning how the other chapters run compared to ours.”

Lorenzo recalled her favorite memory from her experience at the conference last year.

“My favorite memory was probably being with the people, because the people that went to this conference I am good friends with,” she said. “We were doing stuff that we really enjoyed and we were having a lot of fun while doing it.”

McGehee offered advice to those who are going for the very first time this year,

“It’s a lot of fun, you tend to be shy around new people,” said McGehee. “Just have fun with it because it is a lot of fun.”

Lorenzo agreed with McGehee and offers her own thoughts and advice.

“Go with an open mind because it is a lot to take in,” said Lorenzo. “But, if you go with an open mind and with a positive outlook and want to be there, you will have a lot of fun and make a lot of memories and new friends that you will not forget.”

Downes agreed with both Lorenzo and McGehee.

“Go with an open mind, it’s really fun,” said Downes. “Then you will be able to have more fun and enjoy it more.”

Mr. Paasch explained how these conferences will help students in their professional and personal futures.

“This will teach them how to solve problems,” said Mr. Paasch. “How to be professional in society and future careers, and it will teach them to work together in a team.”