FFA 88th State Leadership Conference
Brokaw FFA Members Excel at 88th Iowa State FFA Leadership Conference
Twenty-six Brokaw FFA members of Clarinda along with advisor Andy Johnson and chaperones George and Katie Crawford, Mindy Bebout, and Renee Bond recently attended the 88th Iowa State FFA Leadership Conference held April 18-19 at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa. Members were involved in numerous activities throughout the convention that helped develop leadership and teamwork skills.
All twenty-six members competed in eleven different Career Development Events at the conference. The Conduct of Meetings team, Public Speaking contestant, Parliamentary Procedure team, Ag Sales contestant, Chapter Program team, Extemporaneous Speaking contestant, Ag Broadcasting contestant, and Creed Speaking contestant competed at the state level after moving on from the sub-district and district levels. The Parliamentary Procedure team, consisting of Hunter Crawford, Austin Gutknecht, Sadie Graham, Abbie Guthrie, and Paige Sunderman, received a Gold rating and was named the state champion team. The Conduct of Meetings team, consisting of Taylor Wedemeyer, Darah Gray, Lexie Haer, Ciera Carlson, Tate Hughes, Brett Robberts, and Brady Williams, received a Gold rating and second place in the state. Paetyn Rock competed in Ag Broadcasting, receiving a Gold rating and second place in the state. The Chapter Program team, consisting of Madalynne Gray, Skie Campbell, and Chandler Strough, received a Gold rating and third in the state. In the Ag Sales competition, Cori Bebout received a Gold rating and third in the state. Savanna Bond competed in Creed Speaking and received a Silver rating. Will Mellencamp competed in the Extemporaneous Speaking event and also received a Silver rating. Annie Wallin competed in the Public Speaking event and received a Bronze rating. Lexie Haer and Taylor Wedemeyer competed in the Greenhand Quiz contest, with both receiving a Gold rating and Lexie tying for tenth place out of 253 individuals. Tyler Luckado, Jon McNees, and Noah Carlson competed in the Farm Business Management event, earning a Silver rating. Jordan Sunderman and Allison Fast participated in the Chapter Display event, earning a Gold rating.
Hunter Crawford was recognized as the Southwest District winner in the Rising Star Award program. This program recognizes outstanding second year FFA members who have participated in many FFA activities and have an excellent SAE project in place. Hunter participated in an interview process during the convention as part of the selection process of the state winner.
Cori Bebout participated in the first annual Letter of Intent signing program during the convention. Over forty FFA members from across the state who are planning to become an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor participated in the letter signing. Cori plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall.
Jon McNees and Noah Carlson served as delegates for the business session held and also voted for next year’s state officers. Annie Wallin served as a Courtesy Corps member during the convention as part of her duties as a district officer.
Cori Bebout, Will Mellencamp, and Annie Wallin all received a Gold rating in state competition for each of their proficiency award areas that moved on to the state level from district competition. The proficiency award program recognizes members for their outstanding SAE projects in over 40 different areas. Cori received first place in the Ag Sales Placement proficiency area, Annie received third place for her Equine Science Placement proficiency, and Will received fourth place for his Ag Services proficiency.
Six Brokaw members received their Iowa FFA Degree, which is the highest degree bestowed upon a member at the state level. Those members were: Madalynne Gray, Skie Campbell, Chandler Strough, Noah Carlson, Jon McNees, and Tyler Luckado.
The Brokaw Chapter was recognized as a Supreme National Chapter with a Gold rating in the state in this award program. The National Chapter Award program is based on activities conducted in the areas of Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development. This marks the tenth year in a row that the Brokaw FFA Chapter has finished with a Gold rating in the National Chapter Award program with the application moving on to the national level. The WHO/Public Relations Award was presented to the Brokaw Chapter for its efforts in promoting the Food for America program in the local elementary school.
As part of the convention activities this year, Brokaw members participated in “Meals from the Heartland,” which is a program that includes packaging rice meals to be sent overseas as well as to feed those people in the U.S. in need. All members worked a one-hour shift and helped package over 200,000 meals. Other activities members were involved in included attending general sessions, where awards were handed out and speakers gave motivational and educational speeches to the members. Speakers included Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey; Governor of Iowa, Terry Branstad; and keynote speaker Rick Rigsby. Members also attended leadership workshops and the career show as well.