Montana FFA youth compete well at national convention
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
By Jim Rose, Montana State FFA Advisor
INDIANAPOLIS — Montana FFA members recently returned from participation at the National FFA Convention and Expo held in Indianapolis, IN. Approximately 600 Montana students attended the convention where they engaged in competitions, leadership workshops, tours and educational seminars. This annual event attracted nearly 73,000 members from across the nation.
In the national Livestock Evaluation competition, the Big Timber FFA chapter placed 2nd in the nation by besting 44 other state-winning teams from across the U.S. Team members were Morgan Anderson, Mollie Ruth, RaeAnna King and Rylee Swartz. Another team from the Big Timber chapter placed sixth in the National Vet Science contest. Additionally, Kalispell FFA Chapter’s Agronomy team placed seventh and Gardiner FFA placed 10th in Food Science.
Individual members that rose to the top in their respective competitions were led by Kalispell’s Ethan Bay who placed second in the national Agronomy competition, Shepherd FFA’s Claire Murnin placed fourth in the National Employment Skills event and Morgan Anderson place 10th in the livestock evaluation contest. Perhaps the individual highlight of the convention was when Kyelynn Coombe from the Joliet FFA Chapter was named as the national winner in the Beef Production Proficiency Award area. Proficiency awards recognize students who excel in their work-based learning experiences. Additionally, Kara Conley and Faith Berow from Missoula placed in the top 10 in the National Agriscience program. Finally, Aiden Fouhy from Scobey participated in the National FFA Chorus, Cort Fraker from Forsyth participated in the National Talent program and Shyanna Harmen from Huntley Project and Wybie Naber from Lewistown participated in the National Band.
The following are the results of how the other Montana chapters placed during this year’s national convention: Floriculture – Park City – Silver, Marketing plan – Corvallis – Bronze, Conduct of meetings – Shepherd – Silver, Parliamentary Procedure – Bainville – Bronze, Creed – Riley Jones – Miles City - Bronze, Extemporaneous Speaking – Rylee Glimm – Kalispell - Bronze, Prepared Speaking – Carly Friedrich - Plentywood - Silver, Forestry – Missoula – Silver, Ag Issues – Corvallis – Bronze, Ag Communication – Wibaux - Silver, Horse – Mission Valley – Silver, Farm Agribusiness Mgmt. – Big Sandy – Silver, Ag Mechanics – Mission Valley – Silver, and Poultry – Hobson – Gold.
*Note – Gold, Silver and Bronze ratings represent roughly the top, the middle, and the lower third of teams participating.
The National Chapter Award recognizes chapters who excel in member, chapter and community development. The Beaverhead FFA Chapter in Dillon was recognized as a top ten finalist and was identified as a Premier Chapter.
In addition to the contest placings, 24 members received the American FFA Degree. They are as follows: Olivia Collins – Joliet, Carson Crary – Choteau, Justin Dickhaut – Missoula, Wyatt Dooley and Keena Lewis – Gardiner, Jack Gibson and Daniel Martin – Beaverhead, Anthony Hernandez – Little Big Horn, Jesse Isaacs – Miles City, Wyatt Iverson – Bainville, Gabby Krueger – Corvallis, Brighton Lane – Huntley Project, Brealyn LaRue – Big Timber, Jesica Masshardt – Ruby Valley, Colton Noyes – Broadwater, Shelby Pitman – Shepherd, Adaline Reilly – Forsyth, Darin Schallenberger – Carter County, Mackenzie Serrano – Roundup, Kiara Sherman and Ashlie Welker – Mission Valley, Lenora Shoemaker and Jordyn Whitmus – Fromberg, and Claire Standley – Missoula.
*The American FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be bestowed upon a member and represents at least five years of dedicated participation in the FFA organization.
Three individuals received the Honorary American FFA Degrees for their support of Montana FFA. They are:
Dave Kelsey – long-time FFA supporter
Stacy Dietz who is the Agriculture Education Instructor in Shepherd
Ben Meyer – former Ag teacher in Conrad and currently a National FFA employee
Finally, Montana Agriculture Education was awarded a 100% membership award and the Montana FFA Association received an award for membership growth.
The next event for Montana’s FFA Members will be the Montana FFA Ag Expo, a regional activity set for Nov. 16-18, in Bozeman.
