Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller reports, last weekend, January 23, 2021, FFA members Dylan Comes, Logan Eilts, Wyatt Redinbaugh, Cooper Jipsen and Daniel Freund traveled to the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa to attend the Amplify Leadership Conference. Members from all over Iowa attended the conference, which taught them about leadership and student development. AMPLIFY Conference focuses on student development. Every year, the conference rotates between two themes: Vision and Purpose.

Front Row Left to right
Dylan Comes, Logan Eilts, Wyatt Redinbaugh
Back Row Left to right
Cooper Jipsen and Daniel Freund. (Courtesy Eric Miller)

AMPLIFY Conference theme for 2021 was “Vision: See. Believe. Achieve.” FFA members examined the importance of having a vivid vision. During the workshop FFA members discovered personal passions and talents to help shape a clearer vision of their future. They created a detailed vision of who (not just what) they want to be in life. This type of leadership development will build a sense of self-confidence and winning mentality. Each member then established a strategy to reach for their declared vision and ended the day by summarizing the value of accountability in reaching their vision. “They taught you how to interact with others and how to see other people’s views,” said Eilts. Other chapter member Freund said “I learned how to be a leader and how to set good goals.”

Eric Miller said, “This was the first leadership conference our students were allowed to participate in this school year. These conferences are important to help develop the kind of leaders that we need in our school and community. I am glad the Iowa FFA provides us with the opportunity and the students are so willing to give their time to become better leaders.” The members that attended the conference enjoyed their time. Jipsen said “I liked meeting new people.” Comes also said “I enjoyed the activities, and hanging out with the other members from our chapter.” All around everybody had a good time and would recommend going again. ‘I would recommend, for one they feed you and they feed you well, and you get to meet a lot of people, you really did learn a lot,” said Redinbaugh.