The Waupaca FFA was named the No. 1 chapter in Wisconsin at the state FFA convention in Madison, June 11-14.
Waupaca earned first place in the National Chapter Award, first place in the Chapter Development Division and was runner up in the Student and Community Development divisions.
Hannah Piencikowski earned first place in the Prepared Speaking contest. She will perform at the National FFA Convention in October.
The Waupaca FFA Middle School Quiz Bowl team earned second place. Erin Montgomery, Jenna Pagel, Larkin Hooker-Moericke and Taylor Eilers competed four times at the convention to earn their title.
Taylor Eilers, Larkin Hooker-Moericke, Seth Piencikowski, Elisha Riley, Ethan Riley and Caleb Hamm completed in the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremony contest for middle school students. These members earned third place.
Morgan Eilers, Ashley Orr, Ellyssa Grant, Morgan Orr, Stephanie Johnson and Jessica Allen competed in the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremony contest for high school students.
Nicole Jacowski competed in the Interview Contest at the state convention.
Ashley Orr and Morgan Eiler earned fourth place in the Food for America Award competition.
The FFA Chapter also earned fourth place for the Membership Recruitment Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of the chapter in their efforts to recruit new members and agricultural education students. The current chapter officers and leaders are the most vital form of membership recruitment.
FFA members were recognized for their supervised agriculture experience programs and proficiency applications. Ashley Orr earned top honors in the Diversified Livestock Proficiency area. She will compete at the regional level in July.
The following students earned state gold ratings:
Erin Hanson, second gold Equine Science; Ben Nickel, second gold Grain Production; Stephanie Johnson, third gold Diversified Livestock, Avery Nowak, third gold Equine Science; Ashley Orr, third gold Sheep Production and first gold Diversified Livestock; Kaley Cardinal, third gold Small Animal Production and Care; Jason Cardinal, seventh gold Poultry Production; Morgan Eilers, 10th gold Diversified Livestock, 10th Sheep Production and fifth gold Beef Production; Morgan Platta, third gold Specialty Animal Production, eighth gold Small Animal Production and Care; Natasha Hales, eighth gold Wildlife Production and Management; Tony Austreng, sixth gold Wildlife Production and Management; Alta Littrel, seventh gold Equine Science; Brandon Engel, 11th gold Poultry Production; and Ellyssa Grant, 21st gold Sheep Production.
Ashley Orr, Kaitlyn Gillis and Kaley Cardinal earned their Wisconsin FFA Degrees at the convention.
The FFA Degree is the highest degree a state association can bestow on its members. To qualify, FFA members must have earned and invested $1,000 or worked 1,500 hours, performed 25 hours of community service, have been in FFA for at least two years, completed 360 hours of agricultural classroom instruction, given two speeches and have been actively involved in FFA activities.
Ashley Orr placed runner-up as the 2012 Wisconsin Star Farmer. Stephanie Johnson earned the recognition of a Three Star Leader. Jessica Allen accepted the FFA recruitment award taking fourth place, and Morgan Eilers received a $300 WLC scholarship from the Wisconsin FFA Alumni Association.
Austin Zempel, Morgan Orr, Ellyssa Grant and Jessica Allen competed in the Veterinary Science Career Development Event.