Small Town News

Dozens of FFA members represent area chapters at convention

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About three dozen area FFA members represented the Nicollet, New Ulm, and GFW chapters at the 81 st annual State FFA Convention April 25-27 at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campuses.

About 3,000 high school students from all parts of the state took part in the event. Students had opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills, gain career and agricultural knowledge, and gather new ideas from prominent agricultural leaders and fellow FFA members.

FFA members competed in Career Development Events (C.D.E.), attended workshops, and listened to motivational speakers.

Members and their chapters were recognized for their accomplishments over the past year. Ceremonies honored Minnesota FFA Degree recipients, state proficiency award winners, and State Stars in entrepreneurship, placement, business, and agri-science. Workshops on a variety of topics were taught by FFA alumni, business leaders, and University of Minnesota faculty and staff.

Nicollet FFA sent eight students to the State FFA Convention. Six members participated in delegate sessions, attended the career show, did radio interviews, and worked as stage hands for the talent show, reflections program, and awards program. They also toured the Bell Museum of Minnesota Natural History on the U's Minneapolis campus.

The other two members--Ashley Enter and Richard Michels--participated in the State FFA Band and the State FFA Chorus, respectively. Michels was selected to perform a short solo during one of the choir pieces.

Sierra Frankamp and Elizabeth Kienlen also participated in the State BIG (Best Informed Greenhand) contest where both received silver ratings.

The chapter traveled with members from Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial and Truman and were chaperoned by the three advisors and Ms. Tenison Stone, wife of Nicollet advisor Mark Stone.

Thirteen teens represented the GFW chapter at the convention.

Chapter member Edward Peichel was a state officer candidate. He is the son of George and Mary Peichel of western Nicollet County, rural Fairfax. Edward was also a member of GFW's fifth place Ag Mechanics team, which competed against 34 teams.

Ag Mechanics team member Alex Platz placed 11th individually of 114 participants. Also on the team were Jack Anderson and Mitch Schweiss. Schweiss received an individual gold ranking and Anderson an individual silver. Anderson is the son of Robert and Lisa Anderson of rural Lafayette.

Platz, the son of Paul and Donita Platz of rural Lafayette, also received his State FFA Degree, and placed second in the state in the Vegetable Production Proficiency contest.

The Minnesota FFA Degree is the highest level of membership awarded to members on the state level. The award is based on an extensive application that details work on a student's S.A.E. (Supervised Agricultural Experience.)

Evan Busche and Franz Metzger received recognition for their MN State Agriscience Fair entries.

Jacob Sjostrom, son of Steve and Deb Sjostrom of rural Lafayette, received an individual gold ranking in dairy cattle evaluation.

GFW also received an award for the highest cumulative donation (over $165,000.00) to Camp Courage through the corn drive. The group raised $6,500.00 this year.

George Peichel received a 2010 FFA Honorary Degree, as did chapter alumni Beth Lauwagie.

Beth and convention attendee Emilee Lauwagie are the daughters of Kevin and Sue Lauwagie who farm near Sand Lake, south of Winthrop.

Peichel and Lauwagie were among 16 teachers, individuals, and companies to receive the honorary degrees.

Sixteen members of the New Ulm FFA Chapter attended the convention. Many competed in Career Development Events -- with each contest having nearly 200 contestants from all parts of the state. Others attended Personal Development Workshops and Motivational Leadership Sessions.

Frank Stuckey, past New Ulm agricultural teacher and FFA Advisor, was inducted into the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame.

Three members of the chapter--Andrew Maidl, Alisa Covington, and Kacie Covington -- received State FFA Degrees.

New Ulm's Floriculture Team placed fifth of 40 teams. Team member Kacie Covington placed 16th individually, CeCe Huffman 28th, and Alisa Covington 32nd. Completing the team was Molly Johnson

Competing on the chapter's Ag Sales Team were Andrew Maidl, Aaron Miller, and Chantel Lewis. Maidl placed 24th individually.

Competing on the Horse Team were Amy Stadtherr and Chantel Ruehling.

New Ulm was a Top Ten Chapter for Minnesota Service Hours with 3,992 hours. Throughout the year, FFA members logged service hours from projects for the school and community.

The state convention concluded a busy month of activities for the Nicollet chapter.

Earlier in April, chapter members took part in Career Development Events and the Region VII FFA Banquet.

The CDEvs were held at United South Central in Wells and included Nursery/Landscape, Floriculture, BIG (Best Informed Greenhand) and Parliamentary Procedure.

Nicollet's Nursery/Landscape team of Lexi Anderson, Lorraine Kienlen, and Brooklyn Corbett placed eighth; the Floriculture team of Ashley Enter, Richard Michels, and Amanda Yost placed tenth; freshman Elizabeth Kienlen placed fourth in the BIG contest while Sierra Frankamp placed seventh of 50 students.

Although no Nicollet student competed in the Parliamentary' Procedure contest, chapter advisor Mark Stone was the contest coordinator and head judge.

The Region VII FFA Banquet was held April 13 at Medford High School. Attending from Nicollet were Ashley Enter, Brittany Enter, Samantha Nourie, Samantha Lawson, James Hauser, Amanda Yost, Lorraine Kienlen, and advisor Stone.

The banquet included the installation of. the 2010-2011 Region VII Officer team. Ashley Enter was installed as next year's Region VII Secretary.

When regional awards were presented, chapter member Elizabeth Kienlen received a plaque for her fourth place finish in the BIG contest.



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© 2010 Lafayette Nicollet Ledger Lafayette, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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