Radtke wins state proficiency
By Sandra Dykes

The 86th Wisconsin FFA Convention held last month in Madison attracted more than 3,000 members, advisers and guests.

Highlighted during the convention was the year of service and successes for students involved in Wisconsin Agricultural Education and the FFA.

In addition, local chapter and individual achievements were also celebrated.

At the state convention, the “best of the best” of the FFA in the state are honored for their work and their achievements.

Numerous FFA members were involved and competed in competitions and received awards.

The convention showcased everything from agriscience and entrepreneurship to production agriculture, as well as the opportunities FFA offers its members through Leadership Development.

The Weyauwega-Fremont FFA Chapter was named a Gold and third best chapter in the state of almost 300 chapters, through the National Chapter Award Program.

The W-F Chapter also learned it would be advancing to national competition for its work on the National Chapter Award program.

Each chapter must complete a packet explaining what it did throughout the year.

The application splits up the chapter’s Program of Activities into three sections: Student Development, Chapter Development and Community Development.

Furthermore, W-F FFA received Fourth Gold in Student Development and Second Gold in Chapter Development.

The chapter earned a sixth-place ranking for its Food for America program.

Many chapters competed in this award area, which involves FFA members educating elementary school students about Wisconsin agriculture. The students receive in-class instruction and participate in hands-on activities at a local farm.

Georgia Radtke won first place for her Home and Community Development Proficiency.

Her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) consists of her hours helping the people of Haiti during her mission trips, as well as all the community service projects she has been involved in since seventh grade.

Receiving a gold at state on their SAE projects were Liz Hillskotter in two areas, Jesse La Mie, Alexis Kloehn, Ryan Ebert, Taylor Miller, Hannah Sroka and Brandon Hanes.

La Mie won the State Agriculture Art Contest for the Chevrolet Tailgate Bench he planned, designed, built and painted.

The tailgate was salvaged from a truck that was in his barn fire.

Joan Radtke was the Section 8 winner of the State Junior High Essay Contest.

She had to write a 500 word essay which addressed this year’s National FFA Theme of “Go All Out.”

The High School Opening and Closing Team competed at state and received fourth place.

Members included Ryan Ebert, Karlie Grundman, Hannah Sroka, Madison Lantvit, Sarah Fields and Alex Bartel.

The Middle School Opening and Closing Ceremonies team placed fifth.

Its members included Joan Radtke, Jenna La Mie, Abby Wheaton, Jade Miller, Jesse Heinz and Katie Loehrke.

Four FFA members received their State FFA Degree, the highest award the state association may bestow upon its members.

They were Ryan Ebert, Kaitlyn Hickey, Olivia Kester and Brandon Hanes.

Three members were recognized for receiving their American FFA Degree, the highest award the National FFA may bestow upon a member.

The following will be recognized at the National FFA Convention this fall for receiving their American FFA degrees: Maggie Lind, Alexis Kloehn and Georgia Radtke.

Three members represented the chapter by serving on the State FFA Chorus and performing at the State FFA convention.

Rudy Zuleger, Kaitlyn Hickey and Alex Bartel will perform at the state fair for five days in August and will also represent the chapter by singing at the National Convention in October.

Ryan Ebert received the Three Star Leader Award.

This achievement is based on the local FFA chapter qualifying and receiving a gold rating in the National Chapter Award program. It recognizes a selected member from a local chapter for his work in student development, chapter development and community development.

Olivia Kester completed the chapter scrapbook and received a second place.

A number of members were inducted as part of the Courtesy Corps and helped clean the convention hall and assist members and guests to their proper seats.

All members helped with the Hall of Stars area, which included the state winning proficiency booths, state star finalists and state degree finalists.

In addition, a select few members attended the FFA on the Hill tour and presentation.

Two members, Ryan Ebert and Sarah Fields, were also selected to represent the chapter by attending the convention as delegates.

Sandra Dykes is the ag-science teacher and FFA advisor at Weyauwega-Fremont High School.