Jordan Hamilton, president, and Matthew Wilson, secretary of the Alabama State FFA Association, had the experience of a lifetime when they met with George W. Bush at the FFA State Presidents' Conference (SPC) held in Washington, D.C. July 26-30.

Attendees of the conference (state FFA presidents and an additional officer from their team) represented all 50 states and Puerto Rico. All were united by common goals: to strengthen skills in leadership and citizenship, to discuss national FFA business and to explore the heritage of the nation's capital. The group attended the conference to prepare for their responsibilities as delegates and committee chairs for the 2005 National FFA Convention, to be held in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 26-29.

Hamilton, 16, is the son of Robert and Sheri Hamilton of Cedar Bluff. Wilson, 16, is the son of Don and Debra Wilson of Jacksonville.

The State Presidents' Conference is planned and conducted by a team of six national FFA officers, who chose this year's conference theme, ``Cultivate the Experience.'' State officers attending the conference cultivate the information they learn and, in turn, train chapter FFA members in more than 7,223 local schools.

Highlights of the conference, other than meeting the president, were meeting members of congress and Mike Johanns, the United States Secretary of Agriculture.

Activities included visits to the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial and many other historical landmarks. Officers also attended leadership workshops daily to discuss the importance of FFA, agricultural education and leadership.

The Chevrolet Motor Division and GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) sponsor SPC is a special project of the National FFA Foundation