Members of the Garden Spot FFA Chapter of the Lampeter-Strasburg High School traveled to Penn State University to attend the 90th State Convention, which featured competitions, sessions, awards and more. The event took place on June 11, 12 and 13.
Students participated in career development events (CDEs) or leadership development events (LDEs). These competitions allowed members to gain knowledge about certain careers. Part of the process for CDEs and LDEs requires members to attend county or regional level competitions before attending states for those competitions. During the first two days of states, members competed for their chance of being able to represent the Pennsylvania FFA at the National FFA Convention in October.
Garden Spot FFA members competed in various events and received awards. The Agricultural Issues Forum team won first place and will represent Pennsylvania at the National FFA Convention. The team consisted of Jess Herr, Jeslyn Krebs, Gracie Hess, Danae Ranck, Bryce Johnson, and Tobias Leaman. The agricultural mechanics and technology team placed fifth, and individually, Alec Wagner placed 17th; Tyler Stoltzfus, 19th; Roddie Rice, 25th; and Jordan Martin, 26th.
In the Employment Skills CDE, Brayden Emmerling placed eighth and Gracie Hess place ninth. The food science team members individually placed with Danae Ranck receiving 12th, Jackson Price received 15th, and Jess Herr received 16th. The Meat Evaluation CDE consisted of two individuals; Stephanie Mays placed fourth and Bella Eckert placed seventh. Jared Risser competed in the Safe Tractor Driving CDE where he placed 11th. Three individuals competed in the Veterinary Science CDE; Amber Glatfelter placed 74th, Sawyer Lancaster place 76th, and Hailee Walters placed 79th.
Garden Spot member Leah Welk served on the nominating committee to select the 2019-20 state officers for the Pennsylvania FFA. Bryce Johnson was chosen to serve as a chapter delegate. Jess Herr won first place in the Teach Ag! Essay competition for her essay "The Tools for Sustainability." Leah Welk and Tobias Leaman were also recognized for proficiency awards.
Members also attended three sessions during the convention. Each session highlighted events from the year, award winners, and guest speakers. The first session celebrated 50 years of women in FFA. The guest speakers were Steven C. Loerch Sr., associate dean of Penn State; secretary of agriculture Russell Redding; and National FFA vice president Shea Booster. FFA members were also introduced to the state officer candidates. The second session featured three guest speakers: Pennsylvania FFA alumni Sherisa Nailor and Erica Baier, as well as Phil Haussener from the Pennsylvania FFA Foundation. Session two featured a past officer recognition, an FFA talent segment, and parent recognition of the 2018-19 office team. The third session featured guest speaker Dean Richard Roush, the CDE awards presentation, delegate reports, reflections by the 2018-19 officer team, and the introduction of the 2019-20 officer team.
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