Three members earn first place in proficiency applications
By Leah Piotter

The Waupaca FFA was selected as runner-up for the National Chapter Award at the Wisconsin FFA Convention June 15-19 in Madison.

Waupaca FFA ranked second out of all the chapters in the state. Local FFA members also earned third place in the student development division, and first in the community development division. Waupaca FFA will now advance to national competition.

Three FFA members were recognized for earning first place with their proficiency applications: Kimberly Zills – organic agriculture; Morgan Eilers – sheep production; and Natasha Hales – wildlife production and management.

These members will find out this summer if they are selected as one of the four national finalists who will compete at National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in October.

Morgan Eilers earned the Wisconsin FFA State Degree. She was runner up for the Wisconsin Star Farmer Award.

Students who earned state gold ratings

Ag Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Brett Koski, second gold.

Agricultural Sales – Morgan Eilers, second gold.

Beef Production Entrepreneurship – Taylor Eilers, third gold.

Beef Production Placement – Blake Orr, sixth gold; and Violet Thielke, 10th gold.

Dairy Production- Elisha Riley, 14th gold; Jensen Trinrud, 18th gold; Kimberly Zills, 19th gold; and Jessica Allen, 20th gold.

Diversified Livestock – Morgan Eilers, second gold; Taylor Eilers, third gold; and Caleb Hamm, sixth gold.

Equine Science – Mikayla Martin, fourth gold; and Erin Montgomery, sixth gold.

Organic Agriculture – Kimberly Zills, first gold.

Poultry Production – Josh Peglow, second gold; and Violet Thielke, fifth gold.

Sheep Production – Morgan Eilers, first gold; Ellyssa Grant, second gold; and Taylor Eilers, fifth gold.

Small Animal Production and Care – Elisha Riley, fourth gold.

Swine Production – Austin Hovarter, eighth gold; and Tanner Johnson, sixth gold.

Wildlife Production and Management – Natasha Hales, first gold; and Seth Piencikowski, third gold.

Leah Piotter, Erin Montgomery, Brett Koski, Taylor Eilers, JennaMarie Pagel and Elisha Riley earned second place in the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremony contest for high school students.

Caleb Hamm participated in the FFA job interview contest at the state convention.

Cole Pankratz competed in Extemporaneous Speaking Contest and earned second place.

Taylor Eilers and Eilsha Riley served as official chapter delegates.

Leah Piotter earned the recognition of a Three Star Leader. This honor rated her as one of the best FFA members in Wisconsin during the 2014-2015 school year. The Three Star Leader Award recognizes a selected FFA member from a local chapter for being actively involved in chapter activities in national chapter student development, chapter development and community development.

JennaMarie Pagel was named a member of the State FFA Band and played her clarinet at the convention. She will also perform at the Wisconsin State Fair in August.

Brett Koski helped kick-off the convention when he participated in the FFA Parade of Flags.

Brett Koski, Elisha Riley, Tanner Johnson, Erin Montgomery, JennaMarie Pagel and Josh Peglow all helped pack boxes for Kids Against Hunger as their Community Service Day.

The members of the Waupaca FFA appreciate the support of their parents, business leaders, FFA alumni, community residents, teachers, administrators and school board members for the agri-science program and FFA activities.

Leah Piotter is the Waupaca FFA reporter.