Wawasee FFA members attending the state FFA Convention at Purdue. Awards were won in Horticulture Judging CDE, Dairy Evaluation and Soils Evaluation. Shelby Swartz was also the state winner in her Poultry Production Proficiency, Shown in front are Kevin Schlipf, Shelby Swartz, Ashley Beer, Molly Swartz, and Sarah Harden.
In back are Mason Germonprez, Colin Beer, Christy Carson, Austin Beer. (Photo provided)

By MARIAH ROBERTS
Wawasee FFA Advisor

Purdue University served as host to the 86th Indiana FFA State Convention June 15-18. Wawasee High School was among the numerous FFA Chapters present.

Wawasee FFA members competed in eight Career Development Event programs this school year and were the state winners in the Horticulture Judging CDE and earned second place in the Dairy Evaluation and third in Soils Evaluation.

The Leadership CDE Awards Program recognized excellence in leadership development. The program rewards FFA members for exceptional accomplishments in progressing toward specific career objectives in the agriculture industry. FFA members develop and enhance their communications, critical and analytical thinking, decision-making, and presentation skills.

Shelby Swartz earned first place with her Poultry Production Proficiency and will compete at the national level this summer.

The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their Supervised Agriculture Experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students can compete for awards in 49 areas covering everything from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Each award area has two categories, placement and entrepreneurship.

Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization.Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Proficiency awards are given out at the local, district, state and national levels.

While at the Indiana FFA State Convention, Sophia Nyce and Shelby Swartz also received Indiana FFA Scholarships, which are supported by individuals who purchase FFA license plates.

Sarah Harden and Swartz also applied for and earned their Hoosier FFA Degree by participating in community service, a variety of FFA activities and by investing $1,500 or working 360 hours or more in their Supervised Agriculture Experiences.

In celebration of members’ involvement within Indiana FFA, “Go All Out” served as the theme for the annual convention of the over 11,000 Indiana FFA members. We are privileged to announce the convention title sponsor, Farm Credit-Mid America.

This year’s state convention was filled with exciting opportunities for the 2,500 convention attendees. The six general sessions in Elliott Hall of Music were highlighted by keynote speaker, Katie Stam Irk, a born and raised farm girl who was crowned Miss Indiana in 2008 and Miss America in 2009.

The Indiana FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of over 11,000 students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.