The Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Chapter’s recruitment program earned a first in the state gold rating at the Wisconsin FFA Convention.
The rating was for the program offered at the high school and middle school.
The chapter was among the more than 3,000 Wisconsin FFA members, advisers and guests – representing more than 250 schools that – that attend the 82nd state convention June 11 to 14 in Madison.
The convention highlights a year of service and success for students in Wisconsin Agricultural Education and FFA and also celebrates local chapter and individual achievements.
Numerous FFA members participated in competitions and received awards, with the “best of the best” honored for their achievements.
The convention included everything from agriscience and entrepreneurship to production agriculture and leadership developmnent.
The W-F chapter completed its National Chapter Award Program in time for the state convention.
Each chapter had to fill out sections about student development, community development and chapter development.
The local chapter received ninth place in student development and gold in both community and chapter development.
Its Food For America Program received a gold rating and ranked sixth out of all chapters in the state.
More than 250 chapters competed in that area.
The Food For America Program includes FFA members educating elementary school students about Wisconsin agriculture.
The students receive class instruction and participate in hands-on activities at a local farm.
W-F students returned home with numerous recognitions.
Jordon Rucks received fourth in the state for the essay, “I Believe.”
The high school opening and closing team, which includes Amanda Tangwall, Kelsey Gilbert, Jade Schroeder, Chloe Delher, Ryanne Benz and Alisha Kloehn, competed at state.
There were also awards to members who received a gold at state on their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
A total of 14 gold applicants from the W-F chapter received that honor.
They were are Mark Buchholtz, Cassie Rucks, Sydney De Santis, Danielle Austreng, Brooke Larson, KaLyn Schwartz, Maggie Knecht, Alisha Kloehn, Ashley Handrich, Lukas Erdmann, Jane Beyer, Thomas Long, Teal Tomaszewski and Jacqueline Beyer.
In addition, seven local FFA members received their State FFA Degree, which is the highest degree a state association can bestow upon its members.
Considred for that honor were Lukas Erdmann, Teal Tomaszewski, Maggie Knecht, Dustin Hanes, Danielle Austreng, Sydney De Santis and KaLyn Schwartz.
Three members were recognized for receiving their American degree, which is the highest award the national FFA can bestow upon a member. They will receive the awards in October, during the national FFA convention.
Selected for the state FFA chorus was Rudy Zueleger, who performed with the chorus at the state convention and who will also perform with the group at the Wisconsin State Fair in August.
Receiving a red ribbon for the work she did on the chapter scrapbook was Stephanie Sykes, and Jane Beyer was among the students from throughout the state who received the Three Star Leader Award.
That award is based on the local FFA chapter qualifying and receiving a gold rating in the National Chapter Award Program. It then recognizes a selected member from that local chapter in student development, chapter development and community development.
In addition, some helped keep things running smoothly by being Courtesy Corps members, and five members of the local chapter were selected for the FFA on the Hill tour and presentation.
During that tour, members toured the state capitol and met with their local representatives.
Two members – Jane Beyer and Mark Buchholtz – represented W-F’s chapter as delegates at the state convention.
During the final day of the state convention, chapter awards were presented and the 2012-13 Wisconsin State FFA officers were announced.