• Article Photo. Will Kruetner, Aiden Lukaszka, Grayson Marzen, Wyatt Shaver, Jolie Seidel-Beltran, Madeline Pingenot, MaKenzie Rhinehart, Zoey Dods, Presley Waters, Zada Mohr, and June Bodeker all attended the District Greenhand Fire Up.
    Will Kruetner, Aiden Lukaszka, Grayson Marzen, Wyatt Shaver, Jolie Seidel-Beltran, Madeline Pingenot, MaKenzie Rhinehart, Zoey Dods, Presley Waters, Zada Mohr, and June Bodeker all attended the District Greenhand Fire Up.
  • Article Photo. Grayson Marzen learning about FFA competitions with State Officer Cooper Vanderheiden.
    Grayson Marzen learning about FFA competitions with State Officer Cooper Vanderheiden.


By: Co-Reporter, Bri Dulin

Laughter, teamwork, and plenty of blue corduroy filled the halls at Waverly-Shellrock on Friday, September 26th, as 11 first-year FFA members from Vinton-Shellsburg attended the District Greenhand Fire Up. The conference introduced new members to FFA traditions, leadership opportunities, hands-on activities, and team challenges, all while building excitement for the year ahead.

Iowa FFA President Chloe Zittergruen shared, “Greenhand Fire Up provides a chance for first-year high school members to get a sneak peek of the opportunities that FFA holds, and is a conference for members to meet and interact with state and district officers.” Attendee Madeline Pingenot said, ‘I really enjoyed meeting new people from other schools and learning about all the chances we’ll have to get involved in FFA this year.’

Students left the event feeling confident, connected, and inspired, ready to take an active role in their chapter and make the most of their FFA journey.