News : Vinton-Shellsburg FFA members earn honors at State Convention

These VS FFA members worked on the hydroponics display.

Aaron Burkey, FFA choir.

Amanda Burkey and Sadie Novotny were also in the FFA choir.

Reporter's Award: Emily Cashman.

othy Houtchens (c) received a plaque for first place in the state for his proficiency in ag sales.

VS FFA member Jessica Alderson (center) placed 6th in the state for greenhand quiz.

Karley Kenney, left, and Emily Cashmanshma received the Iowa Farmer Today 2nd place honor.

Kyle Henkle: Star Finalist

Iowa Degrees: Timothy H, Timothy H, Dillon B, Kyle H, Karley K, and Caleb S with Mrs. Fleming.

VS FFA members earned many honors at the State Convention.

The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA chapter attended the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference from April 21-23, 2013. We took 28 members and five chaperones to Ames, IA for this convention. While there we had many things going on, and had members on stage at every general session.

On Sunday April 21, 2013, we arrived in Ames around 4:30pm. At 5:30 p.m. our chapter took the National Officer, Joenelle Futrell, out to eat at Hickory Park. This is something that we try to do every year. It is a great experience getting to see and meet a National Officer and learn about everything they do. We then went back to the hotel, where members went swimming and relaxed for the long days ahead.

On Monday April 22, 2013, We were at Hilton Coliseum bright and early. During this day, members got to explore the career and college fair and buy things from the FFA Merchandise shop. They also packaged meals from the Heartland. Soup pouches that are sent to Haiti every year; with this year’s goal being 250,000 meals. Members watched FFA Idol and the first general session. In the session, they saw Mrs. Louise Fleming on stage receiving her Iowa FFA Honorary Degree, and also Kyle Henkle accepting our ambassador program certificate for giving back to the Iowa FFA association. Later that evening members ate at an Italian restaurant and celebrated two of our members birthdays.

On Tuesday April 23, 2013 we packed our vans and arrived at Hilton Coliseum early once again. During the day members had the chance to see the career and college fair, watch career development events, and attend workshops. Some of our members attended a workshop lead by the National Officer we took out, Joenelle Futrell.

At the second general session, Emily Cashman went on stage to receive our gold National Chapter award of being the 6th place chapter in the state, out of over 200 chapters. We also had Timothy Houtchens receive his plaque of 1st place in the state for his Agricultural Sales Proficiency. In the third general session we had our two Reporters, Emily Cashman and Karley Kenney on stage receiving their Iowa Farmer Today Journalism award of 2nd in the state. We also saw Jessica Alderson on stage for receiving 6th place gold on her greenhand quiz.

Later in the day we had more parents of members showing up to soon watch their kids on stage to receive their Iowa Degrees. This year we had six members apply and receive their Iowa Degrees. Those members were, Dillon Brummer, Kyle Henkle, Karley Kenney, Timothy Haerther, Timothy Houtchens, and Caleb Svoboda.

We also had Kyle Henkle on stage with his parents, Mrs. Fleming, Mr. Kingsbury, and Mrs. Hainstock, for being a Star Finalist. This means that he was one of six in his category for his SAE of Diversified Crop Entrepreneurship. This part of the convention took place during the fourth general session.

Other event results that we had included:

Ag Sales- Timothy Houtchens, John Eden, Timothy Reynolds, and CJ Fowler--Bronze

Farm Business Management- Riley Ries, Keaton Robb, Karys Lillie, and Shane Monoghan--Bronze

Chapter Exhibit- Emily Cashman, Steven Henry,. Jacob Patrilla, Cole Emrich, and Hannah Seitz--Silver

Greenhand Quiz- Sydney Walker--Silver

State Choir- Aaron Burkey, Amanda Burkey, and Sadie Novotny