Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, members of the Miami East-MVCTC FFA Chapter attended the Ohio FFA State Convention in Columbus. Members were recognized for various accomplishments and competed in several contests. While in Columbus, the members attended the convention’s Career Show, met FFA members from across the state, and enjoyed eating out.
Motivational speakers at the convention included motivational speakers Nicki Joiner and John Beede, National FFA Officer Luke Jennings from Ohio, and State FFA President Anna Moeller.
The highlight of the trip was the conferring of the State FFA Degree. This year, Miami East High School had 10 members receive such an honor. Seniors Haley Barnes, Hale Beck, Blake Boggess, Adrien Comer, Abigail Maxson, Connor Maxson, Cora Moore, Wesley Penny and Juniors Kinsley Courtright and Jenna Taylor earned the degree. The degree requirements are based on their earned income from their Supervised Agricultural Experience program, leadership experience, and FFA and community activities.
Wyatt Black was named a top 4 in the state finalist in the Star State in Agribusiness Award. Mr. Denny Zerkle was a recipient of the Honorary State FFA Degree.
During the National Chapter Award results the chapter was named a Gold Medal Chapter. Additionally, the chapter placed in the Top 10 in the areas of Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. The chapter was named a Top 10 overall in the state out of approximately 325 chapters. These results are from the chapter’s National Chapter Application. The application will now be sent to the National FFA for review and placing.
Students were recognized for having outstanding Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs through the State Proficiency Award program. All students earned a cash prize and were recognized on stage with a plaque. Wyatt Black was the state winner in Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship. Elisabeth Norman was the state winner in Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance Placement. Haley Barnes was the state winner in Diversified Horticulture Production. Kat Niswonger was named the state runner-up in Organic Agriculture. Rhylee Eichhorn was named the state winner in the state in Swine Production Entrepreneurship.
Past chapter officers submitted their year’s officer books. Kinsley Courtright, Kyle Wright and Kaci Manns received state recognition for completing a Gold Rated Chapter Secretary, Treasurer and Reporter Books, respectively. Bailey Brown and Kinsley Courtright served as vote delegates during the business session.
Wyatt Black, Bailey Brown and Kinsley Courtright were members of the State FFA Band. Other recognition for the Miami East-MVCTC FFA included special recognition for the donation of monies to various charities.
Members attending were Wyatt Black, Bailey Brown, Kinsley Courtright, Emma Eichhorn, Rhylee Eichhorn, Cora Hildebrand, Memphis Hughes, Kaci Manns, Charlotte Norman, Owen Ondera, Alivia Palivec, Savannah Pellman, Audrey Ponchillia, Jenna Taylor and Kyle Wright. Several additional members, parents and special guests joined the chapter during the Convention to celebrate the accomplishments.
