News : Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Conquers State Convention

Eight Members had the ability to receive their Iowa Degrees, Left to Right: Kevin Heckmann II, Kail Evans, Matthew Bookmeier, Gunnar Schminke, Grace Schminke, Rachel Rollinger, Autumn McGowan, and Sam Lundvall

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA State Convention attendees gathered for a group picture.

VS FFA members helping package meals for the Meals for the Heartland organization.

By: Co-Reporter, Grace Schminke 

From Sunday April 16th through Tuesday April 18th, 45 members from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter traveled to Ames for the 95th Annual State Leadership Conference. The members spent countless hours preparing for their competitions with setting up and practicing for their competitions. On Sunday, the chapter got to help with the Meal for the Heartland event where they were able to help package meals for a charity event. On Monday, several LDE competitors from the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter were up and ready to compete at 6:30am, these contests include Chapter Display, Prepared Public Speaking, and two Courtesy Corps members. The rest of the members arrived around 8:30, while at the State Convention members were able to visit with college booths, different vendors, watch members compete in their competitions, and listen to general sessions held by the 2022-2023 State Officer Team. On Tuesday, the chapter's Poultry Judging, Farm Business Management, Ag Communications, Marketing Plan, and Team Ag Sales Teams all competed throughout the day.  Throughout the day there were three general sessions for members to attend. In these sessions members were able to listen to the retiring address of the State Officers, watch some of the Talent winners, listen to Guest Speakers, and listen to the Band and Choir members. After the third general session members had a chance to go get something to eat before coming back for the fourth and final general session of the 95th Annual State FFA Leadership Convention. The chapter gathered together once again to attend the fourth general session which included the State President's retiring address, the Iowa FFA Band, an address from Iowa's Governor Kim Reynolds, FFA members receiving their Iowa Degrees, and the Installation of the new State Officer Team. After the fourth session, the chapter loaded back up into the vehicles and headed back to Vinton to bring back the new information that they had learned to members that were unable to attend. The chapter would like to give a huge thank you to our seven chaperones Nichole McKenna, Jenni Birker, Chad Newton, Kim Newton, Mark Pingenot, Kelli McClintock, and Stacie Buhr for helping out and making sure that all of the members were where they needed to be at the right time.

• Ag Communications: Autumn McGowan, Baylee Wheeler, Grayce McClintock, Kelcie Appleby - 6th Place Silver

• Poultry Judging: Jazmyn Dods, Carlie Clark, Brody Waters, Amber Deklotz - Silver

• Team Ag Sales: Alana Fleming, Austin Noe, Andrew Pingenot, Clayton McKenna, Izzie Birker - 4th Gold, Clayton placed 6th individually

• Marketing Plan: Christopher Fleming, Dallas Fairbanks, Anabelle Hernandez, Jerry Lee - 7th Place Silver

• Farm Business Management: Kate Timmerman, Andrew Allsup, Kaelyn Pettyjohn, Cooper McClintock - Bronze

• Greenhand Quiz: Ben McGowan, Eli Ollinger - Gold

• Chapter Exhibit: Will McKenna, Wes McKenna, Ryan Carolus, Ben Buhr, Alexa Henkle, Braedon Hepker - Gold

• Ag Biotechnology: Megan Schlitter, Cal Christenson, Rachel Rollinger, Izzie Birker - Silver, Rachel placed 8th individually

• Prepared Public Speaking: Annabelle Newton - 2nd Gold

• Treasurer's Book: Kail Evans - 2nd Gold

• Secretary's Book: Josh Wiley - Silver

• Reporter's Book: Alana Fleming, Grace Schminke - Silver

• Iowa Degree Recipients: Matthew Bookmeier, Kail Evans, Kevin Heckmann II, Sam Lundvall, Autumn McGowan, Rachel Rollinger, Grace Schminke, Gunnar Schminke

• Foundation Scholarship Recipients: Josh Wiley and Annabelle Newton

• Courtesy Corp: Matthew Bookmeier, Kevin Heckmann II, Juliana Luis, Amber Deklotz,Carlie Clark, Harley Hinshaw, Abbie Osborn

• Talent Show: Paul Herger

• Massing of the Flags: Juliana Luis

• Teach Ag Signing: Annabelle Newton

• State Auditing Committee Chair: Josh Wiley

• State Band: Sam Lundvall, Rachel Rollinger, Macie Enos

• Northeast District Rising Star: Andrew Pingenot

• Journalism Award: Grace Schminke, Alana Fleming - 1st Place

• Ag Communications Proficiency: Grace Schminke - 2nd Gold

• Ag Education Proficiency: Annabelle Newton - 2nd Gold

• Vegetable Production Proficiency: Paul Herger - 1st Gold, Advance to Nationals

• National Chapter Award: 5th Place Ranking

• Elected Northeast State Vice President: Annabelle Newton