The Illinois State FFA Convention took place this week and concluded Thursday Afternoon. Students from Edwards County, Gallatin County, Mount Vernon, and Olney were recognized during the convention in Springfield.
Illinois State FFA Degrees were awarded to Heidi Beadles, Brooklyn Metcalf, and Alyson Williams of Edwards County, Bailee Brown and Darrin Newton of Gallatin County, Maelee Allen, Quinton Mullinax, and Alexia Trout of Mount Vernon, and Chase Ackman, Joselyn Kocher, Trenton Payne, Colleen Steber, Jorri VanDyke, and Delaney Williams of Olney.
American FFA Degrees were awarded to Carissa Jefferson and Emma Wiseman o Edwards County, Halle Klockenga and Tori Shaw of Mount Vernon, and Jenna Bare, Alec Kocher, Jacob Pampe, Tristen Payne, Avery Schneider, Dane Steber, Olivia Steber, Peige Steber, and Hayden Travis of Olney
Growing Leaders National Chapter Award Section Winners include JW Simms-Reisner and Gabe Wyatt of Edwards County as well as Bailee Brown and Darrin Netwon of Gallatin County, and Alexia Trout and Calee Woodcock of Mount Vernon.
Gallatin County’s Jillian Allen and Brooklyn Raymer were selected as the Building Communities National Chapter Award Section Winner as well as Mount Vernon’s Travin Elliott and Wyatt Pilson and Olney’s Joselyn Kocher and Claire Steber.
Mount Vernon’s Autumn Bain and Faith Hayes as well as Gallatin County’s Brenden Brown and Max Brockett and Olney’s Trenton Payne and Brett Kocher were selected as Strengthening Agriculture’s National Chapter Section Winners.
The Edwards County FFA Receive a Foundation Star Supporter Award for raising $1,000 for the Illinois FFA Foundation. A $4,000 Foundation Award was given to both the Mount Vernon and Olney FFA’s.
Several State Awards were given to Olney, including for Agronomy Career Development Events, the conduct of Chapter Meeting Leadership Development, Forestry Career Development Event, Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development, Poultry Evaluation Career Development, Service Learning State Proficiency, and State Scrapbook. Finally, Trenton Payne was installed as the section president for Section 23. He will serve his term thru 2024.
A couple of chapter reporters in the area made the 10 outstanding chapter reporters in the state. Olney’s Delaney Williams, Edwards County’s Jake Wiseman.
Mount Vernon’s FFA Chapter was recognized as a top 5 in the state and 2nd runner-up in the premier chapter category.
Gallatin County and Mount Vernon FFA Chapters were recognized as State Premier Chapter Award Section Winners.
The Edwards County Chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete in Indianapolis this fall for National FFA Chapter.
Overall, more than 5,000 FFA Members, advisors, and guests attended the convention this year with the theme being “Electrify”.