Post State FFA Convention
By Brody Knox
The Pierce FFA chapter recently returned from the State FFA Convention held in Lincoln, bringing home numerous members who walked the stage. The state convention was held April 2-4 in Lincoln, with the convention headquarters being Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The State FFA Convention is held to celebrate FFA members, hold leadership and career development workshops, and host competitions to qualify for the national FFA held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and so much more.
This year, six seniors were honored to walk the stage to receive their state degrees, and they were Trayton Christiansen, Kaylee Olson, Veronica Orona, Weston Stemick, Wyatt Stemick, and Alexis Sporleder.
Others walking the stage for their achievements and earning fifth place were Josie Painter in extemporaneous speaking and Eleanor Bauermeister in ag literacy speaking. Finally, We. Stemick placed second in ag services proficiency.
“It’s a little sad knowing that I won’t be going back there again, but it was a really good last year. It’s been a really good experience. I’ve learned a lot and met a lot of new people; it’s helped me get out of my comfort zone,” senior Taydym Koch comments.
In Leadership Development Events (LDEs), the state livestock judging team, which consisted of Bailee Thelen, Taydym Koch, Alexandria Huwaldt, and Clay White, placed 13th. In senior prepared public speaking, Christiansen earned silver, while the ag demonstration team, including Sporleder, Claudia Riggert, Scarlett Babl, Emily Endorf, and Adrienne Riggert, got silver.
“My favorite memory was probably being able to participate in livestock judging and being able to have free time with my friends, especially at state. My first convention was when I was an eighth grader, so competing in more competitions, especially from going to state in quiz bowl to now being in livestock judging. I’ve grown in how I’ve learned, people I've met, and just being there. You learn new things, you meet new people,” Huwaldt, a junior, states.
In Career Development Events (CDEs), the ag mechanics and technology team, including Seth Nelsen, Austin Kerber, White, and Boston Krueger, placed 11th, while the meats evaluation team, consisting of Bailee Thelen, Taydym Koch, Olson, and Orona, placed 22nd. The environmental and natural resources team involving Koch, Olson, Evelyn Skrdla, and Brody Knox put forth an admirable effort as a team.
“It feels pretty good knowing that we did the best we could for my last year. My favorite memory was probably getting to my state degree because it was cool seeing all the recipients down there receiving theirs,” Olson, a senior, remarks. “It was memorable being my last time, so it was more meaningful to me, the whole experience. Since my first convention, I’ve learned a lot more about agriculture and its many different aspects, and I’ve met a lot of different people, which kind of opened my eyes to all the possibilities that I have in my future careers.”
