La Grande FFA Advisor Luke Coomer reflects on chapter’s pending return to National Convention
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, September 23rd, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Recently, La Grande School District Superintendent George Mendoza announced that the La Grande FFA chapter planned to return to FFA National Convention for the first time in six years. Since then, Elkhorn Media Group also spoke with La Grande agriculture/science teacher Luke Coomer on the chapter’s decision and what it means for the students.
To put it bluntly, Coomer and the chapter are overwhelmingly excited to go. None of the chapter’s current members, including the seniors, have been able to attend the National Convention despite most local chapters going roughly every other year. Partially due to expenses, the entire chapter will not be able to attend, but eight students will make the trip. Among the lucky 8 is recently graduated student Isacc Insko, receiving his American Degree, and Kara Ann Acres, competing for specialty animal proficiency and beekeeping.
While Mendoza gave Coomer the credit for helping the chapter get back on track, beyond just National Convention, Coomer himself clarified that it wasn’t his work alone. Several previous advisors had also made an effort to get the chapter back to National Convention and he himself had built on what they’d done, commenting, “When I got here, I was like, ‘hey I think I can make it work. I am really excited. I know a lot of the previous advisors have worked really hard to encourage these kids.”
The 97th National FFA convention begins October 23, 2024, in Indianapolis.
