News and Media Center
Lauren Merklein
Riley Hospital officials have confirmed to FFA that 14-year-old Lauren Merklein, a national FFA convention attendee, passed away quietly, surrounded by her family, at that hospital on Sunday, October 25.
National FFA Organization Chief Operating Officer Dwight Armstrong attended Lauren’s funeral on behalf of FFA members and staff. He said, “Our hearts go out to the Merklein family and Lauren’s classmates, teachers and neighbors in Kansas. May those closest to her find comfort in the memories and legacy left by this bright, vibrant young lady.”
We understand that Lauren's family has indicated that Lauren's death was related to infection with the H1N1 virus. FFA cannot confirm any connection between Lauren's death and H1N1. Nevertheless, and out of an abundance of caution, FFA distributed a message to every advisor who attended the convention informing them that we experienced a handful of cases of flu-like symptoms, and have been informed of at least one suspected case of H1N1. We asked our advisors to ensure that their students and their families closely monitor their health and seek medical treatment if flu symptoms develop.
FFA Member Injured
Phillip Caler, a 16-year-old sophomore FFA member from Booker, Texas, remains in critical but stable condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. His family is with him and has been since shortly after his accidental fall at Circle Centre Mall. The Booker School Department website has the most complete and current information on Phillip’s condition at: www.bookerisd.net. We ask that you continue to post your thoughts and prayers for Phillip and his family on our Facebook page: As always, thank you FFA for coming together to support this young man and his family.
2009 National FFA Convention News
Visit the 2009 National FFA Convention page for the latest convention news and updates.
Welcome to the National FFA News and Media Center.
The National FFA Organization and its 7,439 local chapters have many stories to share about students learning, perservering and succeeding through agricultural education.
Our marketing and communications staff at the National FFA Center would be happy to help you schedule interviews with our members, teachers and expert spokespeople.
- Contacts for national stories:
Julie Adams, 317-802-4255
jadams@ffa.org
Kristy Meyer, 317-802-4205
kmeyer@ffa.org
Contacts for local and regional stories:
Contact your state FFA association.
General information:
media@ffa.org
Logo Requests:
logorequests@ffa.org
News
- 10/22/09 - Senate resolution honors 40 years of Women in FFA
- 10/22/09 - 2009 National FFA Convention Highlights for Thurs. Oct. 22
- 10/21/09 - 2009 National FFA Convention Highlights for Wed. Oct. 21
- 10/21/09 - RFD-TV to offer special Tournament of Roses Parade, FFA float coverage
- 10/21/09 - FFA float will be featured in Tournament of Roses Parade
- 10/20/09 - 2009 National FFA Convention Highlights for Tues. Oct. 20
- 10/19/09 - 2009 National FFA Convention Highlights
- 09/17/09 - National FFA Alumni plans Harvest for America food drive
- 09/15/09 - FFA and the Renewable Fuels Association Develop Lesson Plans
- 09/10/09 - Dwight Armstrong Named National FFA Chief Operating Officer
- 09/03/09 - Grants available for Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Projects
- 09/02/09 - National FFA seeks commemorative coin legislation
- 08/21/09 - Country music superstar Toby Keith to perform at 82nd National FFA Convention
Media Kit
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FFA Today is a weekly television show featuring talented FFA members and teachers from across the U.S.A. It airs on RFD-TV every Wednesday at 6 p.m. EST.
Contact: ffatoday@ffa.org - FFA New Horizons Magazine
FFA New Horizons is published six times a year, both in print and online, for members, alumni and friends of the National FFA Organization.
Contact: newhorizons@ffa.org - FFA Blogs
- National FFA Officers' Blog
Follow our six national FFA officers as they travel all over the country, visiting FFA chapters, state conventions, and agriculture industry leaders. - National FFA Blog
FFA members and staff blog from special trips and events.