On March 7-9, Waldron FFA took 39 members to Lansing to compete in two contests, and many of them were picked to receive awards at the state level.

The Junior High Conduct of Meetings team of John Emens, Ben Fellows, Alicia Knapp, Taylor Price, Shawna Young, Shelby Sattler, Catey Fix, Adam Meyers, Fletcher Masters, and Dakotah Potter took a silver award in their competition.

The Greenhand Conduct of Meetings team was Katie Baker, Casey Mohr, Dylan Emens, Blake Fix, Chelsea Shadbolt, Erica Keefer, Liz Doucette, and Deanna Sterling, who also took silver at state level. The chapter also gave it their best singing and dancing their way onto the stage.

Jessi Fether, Tosha Price, Natasha Arno, and Melania Klinger danced to the "Watermelon Crawl" and made it to the big stage. Cherokee Potter and Destini Forbs were also honored to sing at a banquet to "Three Wooden Crosses." Chris Smith sang "How Do You Get That Lonely," competing with the best of the state.

Having the chance to see the nation's capitol were Jordan Flotkoetter, Samuel Lockwood and Josh Fellows, who were the voting delegates for Waldron. Acting as Courtesy Corps, helping the convention run smoothly, were Ashley Jagielski, Cherokee Potter and Chris Smith.

Tim Jagielski, Byron Leininger, Becky Beaverson, Allie Eaton, Melania Klinger, Carl Knapp, Dani Mann, Tosha Price and Travis Sanders all received Outstanding Junior awards, recognizing their accomplishments in FFA at state level.

Receiving State Degrees were seniors Jenna Stuck, Ben Emens, Brian Hopkins, Jessi Fether, Devin Emens, Matt Lockwood, Jen Geib, Andrew Whitehead, and Natasha Arno. Proficiency winners included Ben Emens with swine production; Jessi Fether for dairy production; Byron Leininger for beef production; and Tim Jagielski for vegetable production.

Ben Emens was named the State FFA Star Farmer winner, the first time ever in the Waldron FFA chapter's history. He received a certificate and $300 check for his SAE in hog production. Ben started with 4 bred gilts six years ago, and today has a strong SAE with 10 sows. Ben has worked very hard to achieve his goal in receiving this award at state level.

The top honor at state level, winners of the State Star Farmer Award are eligible to participate in competition for national honors. National finalists will each receive a plaque and a $2,000 check. The national winner, selected from this group, will receive an additional $2,000 check and plaque.

A Star Farmer's outstanding achievement in production agriculture SAE and active participation is recognized with the State Star Farmer Award. Each year, state associations select one member from the top applicants for the State FFA Degree. The National FFA Foundation provides the $300 cash award. The Star Farmer Award is sponsored by DuPont Company and USDA Farm Service Agency as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.

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