Locust Grove FFA President Becky Sanders and Secretary Emily Crisp attended FFA Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. They flew to the capitol June 3 and returned home June 8.

Only half of one percent of the 500,823 FFA members nationwide are accepted to the conference. The conference concerns learning to solve local problems, build relationships, develop character and living to serve. It encourages FFA members to make a positive impact in their school, local community, state and country.

Members have the opportunity to develop a Living to Serve Plan (LTS). These plans encourage members to find a problem in their community and find a solution. Whatever the problem, each member has the chance to find a solution, develop a plan and bring it back to his or her community.

Not only did Sanders and Crisp attend conferences and meetings throughout the day, they also were able to tour Washington, D.C. They visited the Washington, Lincoln and World War II Memorials, the Capitol, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Locust Grove members also met U.S. Representative Frank Lucas from Oklahoma’s 3rd district. He taught them about economic problems the U.S. faces each day and how much Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can help the economy.

“I thought the experience was amazing,” Sanders said. “Not just any member has the chance to see Washington and change the world. It was great to see all the monuments and visit with the people from D.C.

“The city is so much different from home. There are millions of people, very few animals and almost no grass.

“The most memorable experience was going to Arlington. Every member had on official dress with their corduroy jackets and as we walked through the 300,000 graves, not one member spoke. It was the biggest sign of respect I have ever witnessed.”

“It was an awesome experience,” Crisp said. “I learned so much from the whole trip. I wouldn’t mind going back to the city, but there is no way I would want to live there. What can I say? I just like my small town.

“The greatest thing I saw was the Iwo Jima. It was amazing to see just how big the statue is in real life because in all the photos it looks so small.”