Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

As the Breckenridge chapter of the FFA joins others around the country celebrating National FFA Week, the local students have an exciting year to look back on. In addition to the traditional livestock show entries, leadership development workshops, plant sales, fundraisers, statewide contests and more, this fall, a group of Breckenridge FFA members attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis for the first time in many years.

Rylee Fuller represented the Breckenridge FFA chapter in the National FFA Band, earning the first chair ranking. (Courtesy Photo)

The road to Indianapolis started when Breckenridge FFA officer Rylee Fuller auditioned and was chosen for the National FFA Band, which performs at the national convention each year. To support Rylee, as well as benefit from the many activities and programs at the convention, seven other Breckenridge FFA members made the trip, too.

Rylee was one of about 115 FFA members from around the country — one of 11 from Texas — to be chosen for the band. When she arrived for the first band practice in Indianapolis, she discovered that she had been named first chair of the trumpet section. That designation was based on her video audition, as well as the many activities she’s involved with at Breckenridge High School, including FFA, the BHS band, powerlifting, track, student council, National Honor Society and more.

Getting to meet and interact with people from all over the United States and from different backgrounds was an important part of the convention experience, Rylee said.

Rylee had a different experience at the convention than the other FFA members because of her participation in the band. She not only arrived a couple of days early, but she also had a very strict schedule filled with rehearsals and other band-related activities. The band performed seven times during the convention, including for the opening and closing ceremonies.

In addition to the rigor of band practices, the students had to learn to deal with the intricacies of rooming with strangers from other parts of the country.

Rylee Fuller of Breckenridge, third from left on back row, met other FFA members from all over the country when she participated in the National FFA Band in October. (Courtesy Photo)

“Being a member of the National FFA band was amazing. It was it truly touched my heart in a different way than I didn’t think it would,” she said at the Dec. 15 Breckenridge Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting. “I met so many people from different states that had different views, like politically, just about every little thing, everything was different, and I was able to speak to them about maybe the food, or even just simple things, like how we wear our official dress. And we were all different, and we all were able to accept each other for that. (It) was exhausting, humbling, but inspiring. … It was truly life changing, as I’ve said many times before, and I’m proud to be able to represent Breckenridge in the National FFA band.”

At the Dec. 15 school board meeting, several other Breckenridge FFA students spoke about the trip to Indianapolis, highlighting things they learned and thanking those who donated to their fundraisers.

“Overall, the National FFA Convention provided our students with meaningful leadership experiences, exposure to career and college opportunities and personal growth that extends far beyond the classroom,” said Kason Burchett. “We are especially proud of Rylee for representing Breckenridge FFA as a member of the National FFA band, and for the example she set on a national stage. None of this would be possible without the continued support of our school board, our FFA Booster Club and our community. Thank you for believing in our students and investing in opportunities that shape future leaders.”

Sisters Rylee and Rihana Fuller attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last fall, along with several other members of the Breckenridge FFA chapter. (Courtesy Photo)

One of the local FFA students who accompanied Rylee to the convention was her sister, Rihana, who volunteered as a member of the Courtesy Corps.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned from going up to national convention was the importance of serving and stepping up and just stepping up and serving, even when it doesn’t come with recognition,” Rihana said. “Volunteering taught me … leadership is about responsibility and helping others.”

Another highlight of the trip for Rylee was having an opportunity to meet U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who is originally from Glen Rose. Meeting her was one of Rylee’s goals when she was planning her trip.

Overall, the trip to the national convention was considered a success by those who attended.

“One session that stood out to me was our keynote speaker, which focused on stepping outside of your comfort zone,” said Sylee Mitchell. “And it motivated me to push myself more in FFA and in school. I learned that strong leaders listen first and aren’t afraid to ask for help. We got to explore careers like agriculture communications, and seeing new ag technology showed me how many opportunities exist in our industry overall. The convention gave us new ideas to bring back home with our own chapter, helped us grow as leaders and brought us closer together as a chapter.”

Rylee said she intends to apply for the National FFA Band again this year. (Click here to see her thank you letter to those who donated to her fundraiser for the 2025 trip.)

During National FFA Week this week (Feb. 21-28), the Breckenridge FFA is featuring alumni and some of their accomplishments on the group’s Facebook page. Click here to see some of the posts.

Rylee Fuller, fourth row, far left, and the entire National FFA Band performed seven times during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis last fall. Additionally, they practiced many hours each day to prepare for the performances. (Courtesy Photo)

Cutline, top photo: Rylee Fuller, right, addresses the crowd at the December BISD Board of Trustees meeting in the Breckenridge High School Library. She and other FFA members spoke about their trip to the National FFA Convention. The speakers, pictured from right, include Rylee Fuller, Kason Burchett, Dustie Lowrey, Rihana Fuller, Rachel Burchett, Sylee Mitchell and Kole Wright. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)