"Last week I attended the Future Farmers of America's Native American Heritage Celebration at the 2011 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

With more than 45,000 people in attendance representing every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the celebration paid tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans in FFA, agriculture and agricultural education.

It was a proud moment when I watched my youngest son carry our tribe's flag during the Grand March procession at the FFA convention. He stood tall and marched confidently, knowing that he was representing a California tribe that has moved forward successfully on a path to build a solid future for generations to come. Like his father, uncles and cousins before him, he became an active participant with FFA and has been enthusiastic about it since joining."

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Vincent Armenta: FFA celebrates youth, heritage (The Solvang Valley News 10/27)