Front row: Shay Lemke, Meranda Gruber, Rylee Robson, Allison Drake and Montana Douglas. Second row: Belle Fagan, Camdyn Richter, Lilah Hienz, Carrie Downing and Lucy Knutter. Third row: Stella Largent, Irelyn Wirt, Ava Sneller and Nora Langgaard. Fourth row: Aaron Langgaard, Caydence Boals and Laurin Davis. Fifth row: Hudson Gilland, Brexton Schneider, Carter Richter and Bryce Betts. Sixth row: Garrett Lemke, Jack Sheeder, Emmarae Ellis and Stetson Ellis. Not pictured: Will Kading, Chase Slaybaugh, Calleigh Wolfe, Xander Harwood, Tyler Thomas, Casey Young and Gracie Hodges.
By Lilah Heinz, Chapter Reporter | Special to the Times Vedette
The 97th Annual Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference was held April 13-15 in Ames. The ACGC Chapter had 38 members attend and participate in multiple events, competitions, award ceremonies and workshops throughout the conference.
This year, the chapter saw 13 members participate in different contest areas. Garrett Lemke, Carter Richter and Jack Sheeder participated in poultry evaluation and received a bronze rating while Irelyn Wirt, Miranda Gruber, Gracie Hodges and Ava Sneller participated in the Farm Business Management contest and received a silver rating. Nora Langgaard took the Chapter Knowledge Quiz and received a gold rating, respectively.
Two greenhand members took the Greenhand Knowledge Quiz. Stetson Ellis received a gold rating and Hudson Gilland received a silver rating.
The chapter also had the opportunity to bring two middle school members to participate in the Discovery Quiz where Aaron Langgaard received a gold rating with a top 10 finish and Carrie Downing received a bronze rating.
The Chapter Exhibit contest that was entered by Belle Fagan, Shay Lemke and Camdyn Richter received a gold rating as well.
The final contest that competed over the weekend was Marketing Plan with members Lucy Knutter, Lilah Heinz and Rylee Robson where they placed third overall in the contest with a gold rating, which is the highest in chapter history.
While members were competing in contests, the chapter also saw 14 members receive awards for their efforts and on behalf of the chapter over the weekend. Brexton Schneider was recognized for his state runner up Beef Production Placement proficiency application. Lilah Heinz was the SW District Rising Star finalist. Belle Fagan accepted the bronze rating for the National Chapter Award, and Camdyn Richter received the ambassador award on behalf of the chapter. Bryce Betts, Emmarae Ellis, Gracie Hodges, William Kading, Lucy Knutter, Chase Slaybaugh, Blaise Tallman, Tyler Thomas, Irelyn Wirt and Casey Young received their Iowa FFA Degrees.
Aside from the contests and awards, members had the opportunity to participate in other activities as well while at the state conference. Xander Harwood, Chase Slaybaugh and Calleigh Wolfe participated in Courtesy Corps escorting members in contests to their rooms and helping set up throughout the conference. Laurin Davis participated in the State FFA Band and Emmarae Ellis, Allison Drake and Montana Douglas participated in the State FFA Chorus.
A total of eight Discovery members participated in the Middle School Leadership workshop. This group included Carrie Downing, Aaron Langgaard, Andrew Baumert, Creighton Suhr, Tessa Slaybaugh, Alli Wiers, Taryn Carroll and Logan Stringer. During this workshop, these members learned about teamwork and what it means to communicate, as well as qualities of leadership.
Aaron Langgaard, Cordell Wolfe, Andrew Baumert, Creighton Suhr, Alli Wiers, Taryn Carroll, Tessa Slaybaugh and Carrie Downing.
Front row: Gracie Hodges, Irelyn Wirt, Lucy Knutter and Emmarae Ellis. Back row: Casey Young, William Kading, Tyler Thomas, Bryce Betts and Chase Slaybaugh. Not pictured: Blaise Tallman