Submitted by:
Michelle Borges
Hughson FFA Reporter
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are”
said Theodore Roosevelt. Michelle Borges of Hughson
FFA had the opportunity to go the Washington Leadership
Conference (WLC) through FFA in Washington, D.C. This
quote by Theodore Roosevelt was the overall theme of
the conference. This was a life-changing conference that
widened your perspective on the world. There were five
themes of the conference: Citizenship, Purpose, Diversity,
Advocacy, and Live a Legacy. Many activities
went on throughout the week, like a night tour
of the monuments, visiting the capitol and the
“Do what you can,
Newseum, a museum all about news. Each
with what you have,
student had to also pick a Living to Serve
project to take back to their community to
where you are.”
help fix whatever struggle their community
~ Theodore Roosevelt
faced. There was also the learning of the WLC
High Five: be vulnerable, be committed, be
respectful, ichi go ichi e (for this time only), and
be ready. There were so many valuable skills learned during
this conference, like learning how to selflessly serve others.
During the week, there was a community service project
through the Meals of Hope. Meals of Hope began in 2007
and is the only food-packing event organization that has
developed four different type of meals that are for the hungry
specifically in the United States. Michelle recommends that
all people attend this conference if they are able to. •
The Washington Leadership
Conference focusses on the “SERVE”
component of FFA. SERVE:
Community Development,
Personal Growth. This five-
day conference is available
to all members and is held in
June and July in Washington D.C.
Photo Captions, top to bottom: Michelle Borges at the National Capitol in
Washington D.C.; Lauren Roberts from the Florida FFA and Borges in front of a
Lego version of the Statue of Liberty at the American History museum; Borges by
her local representative’s office; Borges with a group of members from Florida
FFA standing in front of one of the very first tractors; Kyra Bukoski from the Hawaii
Association and Borges are pointing to the National Captiol from the Newseum.
California FFANEWS • PAGE 10 • Winter 2018