[March 21, 2009]

'Reach for success'

(The Observer (La Grande, Ore.) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Mar. 21--The Fourth of July came 3 1/2 months early Friday evening at La Grande High School.

A lively fireworks show on the school's south fields capped opening ceremonies at the 81st annual State FFA Convention.

Ceremonies, almost all based in the LHS gym, will not soon be forgotten by many of the 1,500 FFA members who attended. A high-tech, concert-like atmosphere prevailed in the gym. All eyes were focused on a stage flanked by two large video display boards, illuminated by sophisticated lighting and complemented by a professional-grade sound system.

From this setting emerged words of inspiration during a ceremony led by Oregon's FFA state officers.

FFA State President Thomas Griffin of Culver told his audience that some youths had traveled eight hours to reach La Grande for this weekend's convention.

"Those eight hours were worth it because the next 72 hours are going to be the ride of a lifetime,'' Griffin said.

Griffin noted that La Grande is along the Oregon Trail, which thousands of pioneers used to reach the Northwest 150 years ago.

"I challenge you to use the convention to become pioneers,'' he said. "Meet new people and do things you have not done before. ... My fellow pioneers, let's get the state convention wagon rolling. Let's reach for success.'' Griffin urged his fellow FFA members not to let setbacks derail them as they explore new avenues in life.

"Failure is not anything to be afraid of as long as you learn from it,'' Griffin said.

Griffin, now a polished public speaker, told his audience of an unsuccessful interview for an FFA chapter office during his freshman year of high school. He credits what he learned from the interview with propelling him forward.

"That disappointment was one step in my journey to success,'' Griffin said.

Union County Commissioner Steve McClure spoke at Friday's opening ceremony. He told of his involvement in FFA while growing up in Elgin and how it has helped him.

"I learned practical things. I learned true values which have stayed with me all my life,'' he said.

McClure, who graduated from Elgin High School in the 1960s, continues to embrace FFA today.

"FFA represents many of the best things about this nation,'' he said.

The event's keynote speaker, Rhett Laubach of Edmond, Okla., also discussed his involvement in FFA as a youth. Laubach urged the audience not to become just more involved in FFA, but to become immersed in it. He said that if one becomes immersed in it the return will be amazing "FFA will give back 1,000 fold,'' he said.

Laubach also urged the youths to reach out to others.

"You need to go from inspired to inspiring. Live to serve. Do something to help somebody out,'' he said.

State FFA Reporter Tiffany Harper of Junction City shared a similar sentiment, urging people to look past the emphasis on material possessions in today's world and reach out to others.

"We can never change the ways of the modern world, but we can make the material world a meaningful world,'' Harper said.

The State FFA Convention runs through Monday. Today's activities include a career and trade show at La Grande Middle School and workshops and speaking competition at La Grande High School.

Tonight's ceremony will include a presentation by Congressman Greg Walden, R-Hood River. The program begins at 7 p.m. in the LHS gym. All events at the State FFA Convention are open to the public.

To see more of The Observer or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Observer, La Grande, Ore.

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