FFA Members Will Attend State Convention

It is time for the 83rd annual Missouri FFA State Convention. On April 14 and 15 several CHS agriculture students will be receiving state awards and competing on contest teams.

The convention will begin with recognition of the proficiency award winners. FFA Proficiency Awards recognize "excellence in a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program." Several California FFA members will be receiving proficiency awards.

Those students include: Justin Clad, Swine Production-Placement; William Inglish, Sheep Production; Taylor Ratcliff, Oil and Fiber Crop Production; Phillip Longan, Grain Production-Placement; Jacob Kueffer, Grain Production-Entrepreneurship; Jordan Brizendine, Fruit Production; Caleb Martin, Food Science; John Strobel, Dairy Production-Placement, Anna Parry, Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance-Entrepreneurship.

"This is my first time receiving a proficiency award, and I'm really excited," said Kueffer.

On Friday night seniors Dawn Chapman, Justin Clad and Caleb Martin along with junior Meghan Halsey will be receiving FFA State Degrees.

The FFA State Degree recognizes coursework in agricultural education, proven leadership in the student's local chapter and excellence in the SAE. Recipients are chosen after a lengthy application and review process.

Four contest teams will also be attending the convention and competing: the Agronomy team of Jacob Kueffer, Curtis Lehman and Adam Weis, the Dairy Foods team of Lauren Heather, Libby Martin and Zach Merrrill and the Forestry team of Cassi Thompson, Anna Parry, Charles Matzes and Ryan Korte.

Finally, Andrea Knipp and Connor McGill will accompany the group to take part in the FFA State Chorus.