Purnell Swett FFA Member Brings Leadership & Service Ideas Home from D.C.

ROBESON COUNTY – A Purnell Swett FFA Chapter member, Kenji Davis, has returned from the National FFA Organization’s Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in Washington, D.C., inspired and eager to contribute to his local community. Davis was among students from FFA chapters nationwide who attended the impactful conference from July 7-11, 2025.

During the week-long event, FFA members immersed themselves in learning from agricultural experts, leadership professionals, and FFA staff. The conference curriculum featured a diverse range of workshops, seminars, small group activities, and tours of significant national landmarks, including the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery, the Bureau of Indian Education, Smithsonian Museums, and the U.S. Capitol. Each day of the conference was structured around a core principle: exploration, encouragement, advocacy, or service, brought to life through experiences in the heart of the nation's capital.

Kenji Davis reflected on the profound and lasting effect the experience had 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," Davis stated. "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.”

The intensive session served as a valuable opportunity for FFA members to enhance their leadership abilities. The Washington Leadership Conference stands as the second-largest student event hosted by the National FFA each year, second only to the National FFA Convention and Expo, which draws over 70,000 attendees.

A central element of the conference is the development of a "Living to Serve Plan," a civic engagement initiative that participants design and are encouraged to implement in their local communities upon returning home. In preparation for this project, members assessed the specific needs of their communities before attending the WLC.

Taleek Harlee, Purnell Swett FFA Adviser, expressed appreciation for the experience. “We’re so thankful for this opportunity in Washington, D.C.—a powerful week of leadership, learning, and connection," Harlee said. "Kenji built relationships with FFA members from across the country and is returning with fresh ideas to move our chapter forward.”

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization comprising more than 945,000 student members across 9,163 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.