Tyrone sophomore Garin Hoy is one of two FFA members in Pennsylvania to receive a scholarship to attend the FFA Washington Leadership Conference in the summer of 2019.

At the conference, Hoy will spend the week under the guidance of professionals, counselors and FFA staff.

“By attending the Washington Leadership Conference, I am able continue my journey to feed my passion to hone my skills of how policies and laws are developed, debated, and accepted or rejected in our nation,” said Hoy, “FFA has sparked my love for Parliamentary Procedure and government operations.  I can see myself serving as the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture and not only fighting for the right of our strongest industry, but continuing to promote the importance of Agricultural Education, literacy, and the economic impact the industry has on our state; would be a priority.”

More than 2,300 students attend the conference each year. Begun in 1969, it is the second-largest student event that the National FFA Organization hosts each year.

In workshops, seminars and small groups, members focus on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals while undergoing comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters. The capstone of the event is a civic engagement activity where participants apply what they learn to a hands-on activity.

FFA members also get to experience the history of the nation’s capital and tour famous landmarks. Members will also have opportunity to participate in congressional visits and visit with lawmakers and their staffs during the week.

Hoy is looking forward to learning and meeting new people at the conference.

“My outgoing personality will allow me to collaborate and learn about other students from across our country. I make it a goal to meet new people and then keep in contact with them after returning home.  At the National FFA Convention I met this student from West Virginia and one day while we were snap chatting, we discovered that our mothers were roommates in college.  WLC would allow me to not only learn about our government, but make connections and grow as a leader,” said Hoy.