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Manawa FFA members ‘Live the Mission’

More than 3,400 Wisconsin FFA members and advisors from 250 schools attended the 84th annual Wisconsin FFA Convention in Madison.

Attending from Manawa FFA were members Courtlynn Oltz, Molly Loughrin, Wendy Kons, Tristan Selle, Adam Michalowski, Joe Kaczorowski, Tanisha Fisher, Jacob Frenche, and FFA advisor Sandy Piechowski Cordes.

The theme for this year was “See the Vision, Live the Mission.”

The convention is a celebration of student success and recognition of FFA activities conducted across the entire state of Wisconsin. FFA is making a positive difference in today’s schools and communities.

The convention highlighted a year of service and success for students in Wisconsin Agricultural Education and FFA and celebrated individual and chapter achievements. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in the application of agricultural skills and knowledge gained in their classes. The FFA organization’s major objectives are to develop agricultural leadership, cooperation, and citizenship.

Members heard from motivational speakers Kyle Scheele, Grant Baldwin, and a national FFA officer. Students attended workshops, a phenomenal Career and Business Fair, viewed displays of outstanding achievers in the FFA and participated in the convention.

Oltz and Kaczorowski served as the official delegates for the Manawa FFA Chapter. Delegates were responsible for representing the chapter at the business session and selecting its section’s state FFA officer. Reba McClone was elected as the Section 8 FFA Officer.

FFA members can receive honors for an application pertaining to their Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. Kaczorowski received 4th place gold in the state for his poultry production project.

Loughrin was selected as a second year member of the FFA Honors Band. She participated in rigorous rehearsals and performances during pre-session concerts and during sessions. She will also be showcasing their talents at the Wisconsin State Fair in August.

The Manawa FFA Chapter applied for the National Chapter Award and received a gold ranking in the state. The chapter was recognized for its overall Program of Activities focusing on three major areas: student development (9th in state), chapter development (6th in state), and community development (gold ranking). Kons, Oltz and Michalowski accepted the on-stage honors. The application has been selected to go on for national consideration.

Manawa FFA received 1st place overall in the state for the Food for America program. This award recognizes chapters for their promotion of agricultural literacy. Among the highlights of the chapter’s “Food for America” program is a Day on the Farm field trip for 3rd graders, promoting careers in agriculture, teaching students about agricultural commodities, and the 4th grade’s Get Fit, Fueled program. Kons accepted the gold award for the chapter.

Michalowski earned a scholarship to attend the Washington Leadership Conference this summer. The National FFA Alumni Association provides one leadership scholarship to each state per every 500 FFA Alumni members. Kons received a scholarship from the Section 8 FFA Alumni to attend. The Manawa FFA Alumni is helping pay for transportation for both students.

Kaczorowski was the recipient of the “Three Star Leader Award.” The award recognizes selected chapter members for stellar involvement in activities in Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development.

The chapter also received 1st place in the state award for Membership/Recruitment. The award was accepted by Kons on stage. The application was written solely by the FFA officers summarizing recruitment and retention projects.

For more information about the Manawa FFA, contact Sandy Cordes at 920-596-5826 or email at [email protected].

To join the Manawa FFA Alumni, contact Randy Steingraber at 920-538-2072.

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