Davis returns from D.C. with renewed vision to lead, serve
INDIANAPOLIS – A Purnell Swett FFA member recently attended the National FFA Organization’s Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. and returned home inspired and eager to serve their community.
Purnell Swett FFA Chapter member Kenji Davis was among students from chapters across the nation to attend the conference from July 7-11, 2025.
FFA members from various chapters across the nation spent the week learning from agricultural experts, leadership professionals and FFA staff who led them through a variety of workshops, seminars, small group activities and tours of national landmarks—including the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, Bureau of Indian Education, Smithsonian Museums, and the U.S. Capitol. Each day centered on a core principle—exploration, encouragement, advocacy, or service—brought to life through experiences in the heart of our nation’s capital.
Davis shared that the experience had a meaningful and lasting effect on him.
“WLC is more than a leadership conference or a trip to Washington D.C it is an opportunity to meet people from all over the U.S. and make deep connections. You get to see others come up with and present their LTS plans (Living to Serve) and you can start to realize how impactful FFA is in the community. At WLC, we went to many museums, one of them being the Native American Museum. It was really meaningful to see my culture showcased in a place like Washington, D.C. We also visited the Capitol, Library of Congress, Martin Luther King Monument, and many other memorable places,” said PSHS FFA Chapter member Kenji Davis.
The weeklong session provided FFA members with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their leadership abilities. It is the second-largest student event hosted by the National FFA each year, surpassed only by the National FFA Convention and Expo, which attracts over 70,000 attendees.
A key highlight of the conference is the creation of a Living to Serve Plan—a civic engagement initiative that participants design and carry out in their local communities after the event. In preparation for this project, members assessed the specific needs of their communities before attending the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC). Once back home, students are encouraged to work with their FFA chapter advisers to bring their plans to life.
“We’re so thankful for this opportunity in Washington, D.C.—a powerful week of leadership, learning, and connection. Kenji built relationships with FFA members from across the country and is returning with fresh ideas to move our chapter forward,” said Purnell Swett FFA Adviser Taleek Harlee.
The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 945,000 student members as part of 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.