Goessel High School FFA members returned from FFA National Convention determined to compete at the 2010 convention, sponsor John Bergin said.

Junior Kent Duerksen; sophomores Josh Booth, Joe Campbell, Drake Sterk, Austin Unruh, and Peter Voth; and freshman Jake Bray attended the convention Oct. 20 to 24, but didn’t compete in events.

They were selected to attend through an application process.

“The students had fun and came back chock-full of ideas about how to get back and compete,” Bergin said.

“Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe gave a speech at the convention. At a career fair, Bergin sent his students on a scavenger hunt to learn about education and businesses. Students attended leadership workshops and watched a speaking contest.

Outside the convention, the chapter visited the National Collegiate Athletic Association headquarters and hall of fame.

“They thoroughly enjoyed it,” Bergin said.

The change of pace was good for the students, he said. They want to compete at the national level and took time to evaluate what they need to do to make it happen.