By BOB MARTIN 

Eagle Times Staff 

NEWPORT, N.H. — Six Newport High School students will be heading to Indianapolis for a national convention surrounded by thousands of future farmers with drive to succeed in a variety of related fields. 

On Sept. 12, the Newport School Board unanimously approved sending six students and three adults in the Future Farmers of America program to the 97th Annual FFA National Convention. The event takes place from Oct. 22 to 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and involves 70,000 other FFA members. 

“These students competed in the first career development event at the Granite State FFA conference last spring and received first place honors,” Magoon said. 

The Future Farmers of America describes itself on its website a “dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career successes through agricultural education.”  

It was founded by a group of young farmers in 1928 with a mission to prepare future generations for challenges of feeding a growing population. It has evolved over the years, and is now intended to reflect “the growing diversity and new opportunities in the industry of agriculture.” 

Members of the national organization include future farmers, chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals. 

Magoon explained that the students will attend leadership workshops, general professional development sessions and share career success stories. They will also take part in what is a career development event at the conference. 

Magoon called it an “amazing opportunity” for students to attend. The cost is $1,500 per student, and they have multiple fundraisers scheduled this fall to cover the costs. 

School Board member Darrell Jones said this is an excellent experience for the students who have worked hard in the program. Fellow board member Kathryn Boutin agreed, saying that she is proud of the students who have placed at states multiple years in a row.  

“They are really dedicated and I hope when you see them out and about selling their cotton candy that you buy a bag and throw a donation their way, and say have a good time, because they deserve it,” Boutin said. 

During the meeting, the board also approved a pair of donations, one from the Rotary of Newport and the other from the Connect the Cotton program, that are intended to benefit students across the district. 

The board accepted a $2,000 donation from Rotary of Newport, as well as snack items that were collected outside Shaw’s supermarket, for the Healthy Snack Closet. Magoon reminded the board that the district started the Healthy Snack Closet at Richards Elementary, along with the middle and high school, last year.  

The school also received donations through Connect the Cotton, which is a program out of Maine that was brought forward by Newport resident Ashley Morris. Morris reached out to Chair Steve Morris (no relation), who met with the district’s family liaison Christine Ball. 

The district received 972 liners, 480 tampons and 1,560 pads that are currently being stored with Ball at the high school. The Healthy Snack Closet also has these items which Ball oversees, Magoon said. These items will be available for when the female students in the district need them. 

“I greatly appreciate the donations from the Rotary and Connect the Cotton,” Magoon said.