Watson named to National FFA Band

To perform for crowd of 54,000 in Indianapolis, Ind. in October

— When the lights are dimmed and a hush descends upon the audience of more than 54,000 at the nation’s largest annual student convention this Oct. 20 through Oct. 23, in Conseco Fieldhouse, Lensey Watson will share the spotlight in a musical performance that will inspire the crowd and provide memories to last a lifetime.

Watson, of the Decatur FFA Chapter, has been selected to play the flute in the National FFA Band. The student submitted an audition tape and was one of 85 FFA members selected to help bring full instrumental balance to the band.

The band will perform several times at the 83rd National FFA Convention, adding excitement and motivation to the sessions through their music. National FFA Band members are chosen from a pool of more than 200 applicants.

The young musicians arrive in Indianapolis three days before convention begins to rehearse.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as Future Farmers of America,is a national youth organization of 520,284 student members - all preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture - as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organizations changed to its present name in 1988 in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st United States Congress, and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs.

Community News, Pages 13 on 09/15/2010