INDIANAPOLIS – Purnell Swett FFA members 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 members Mackenzie Locklear, Ariah Clark, and Abigail Moore were among students from chapters across the nation to attend the conference from July 7-11, 2026.
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, the National Archives, the 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.
“Attending WLC helped me learn important leadership and communication skills that I can use in the future. Even though I was only there for a week, I made great memories and met amazing people from all across the country. I am very thankful for the opportunity to attend WLC because it helped me become a better leader, step outside my comfort zone, and grow as a person,” PSHS FFA member Ariah Clark said.
The 4-day 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.
“WLC was a great opportunity for our students to grow, meet new people from across the country, and see leadership in a different way. I was proud to watch them become more confident throughout the week and start thinking about how they can bring what they learned back to our chapter,” 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.