HNS FFA Chapter fares very well at State convention

LINCOLN — There were 7,746 FFA members registered for the Nebraska State FFA Convention. The FFA Blue Jacket took over downtown Lincoln April 3-5 for the 96th State FFA Convention, with 27 students from both local high school taking the challenge of competing in district contests, selling fruit and updating their Supervised Agricultural Experience, in order to be eligible to attend the State Convention.

Unwritten was this year’s theme, where students next pages are still waiting to be written. FFA members got the chance to attend FFA Foundation Expo, where many colleges are there to speak with members. UNL Welcome event, where members could eat ice cream, talk with the rodeo team, and talk with members of the UNL staff. Nebraska Career Fair was a place where members could talk with 50 different agricultural businesses.

Wednesday started out with four members going to Ag Technology and Mechanics Contest, where they did both individual activities and team event. Karsan Albers, Andrew Heimes, Grayden Hochstein and Castin Pinkelman were the members who had to identify parts of a wood chipping machine along with other things, the team placed 50th.

Ava Stewart took to the challenge of writing her own speech about the Natural Weaning Methods of Beef Cattle. She presented her speech in the first round of Jr Public Speaking where she had to beat out 12 other individuals to make finals.

Ava Noecker and Tessa Haahr were selected to be finalist in theproficiency area. These individuals had to interview about their Supervised Agricultural Experience, which are both in the Dairy Production Placement area.

The final contest of the night was Farm and Agribusiness Management, Emma Wubben, Maddie Steffen, Karli Bruning and Mckenzie Bruningwere the members of the team which placed 42nd. Both Emma Wubben and Maddie Steffen placed with ribbons individually for their event. These members had to take an individual written exam, a team decision making activity, and farm and ranch simulation.

To round out the night, members had the opportunity to listen to Rob Jones a retired US Marine that now works as a leadership instructor at Echelon Front. He focused on how leadership happens at every capacity in your life. From his darkest day of losing his legs to an IED to now, as Paralympic medalist, the students were inspired to become the best leaders that they could be.

The second day was another busy day of contest,Ava Stewart started off by making finals in Jr Public Speaking and having to present her speech again, results were announced Friday. She ended up taking fourth individual in the state. The Agronomy Team, who consisted of Logan Eickhoff, Cole Heimes, Graham Potts, and Jason Heimes, had to identify insects, plants, weeds, machinery, soils, and plant disorders. The team placed 41st, with Logan Eickhoff getting a red ribbon and Graham Potts receiving a white ribbon. The Livestock Management Team consist of Tessa Haahr, Ava Noecker, Jade Ford, Ava Stewart, and Breah Steffen. These members had to work together to test knowledge over beef, dairy, horse, poultry, sheep and swine industries. The team placed 43rd.

Final contest of the day was the Agriscience team, consisting of Colton Cavanaugh, William Feilmeier, Jason Heimes and Gabriel Reyes. They had to write a career report about someone they interviewed, take an individual test, and then work together to dissect a flower and identify parts. The Agriscience team placed 104th.

The night finished by listening to Kelly Barnes. He inspired the students to be the best person they could be. Logan Eickhoff was inspired when Barnes said, “Be willing to fail in order to be successful.” That really hit home because graduation is coming up and he was not sure what is going to happen in the future.

This night was also the night that proficiency awards were handed out, Tessa Haahr received first place, where her application is being submitted on to the National FFA Convention later in the year. Ava Noecker placed second right behind Tessa Haahr.

Friday, the final day was a day of celebrations. Tavious Pinkelman and Aaralynn Collier were selected to be a part of the FFA choir, their talents were showcased throughout all the general sessions. The only contest that was happening Friday was Livestock Judging, where the jr. team made it. Quinn Hochstein, Breah Steffen, Cris Kneifl, and Gabe Reyes judged eight classes of livestock animals, two keep/cull classes, and had to present one oral reason to the judges. The team ended up placing 37th, and Gabe Reyes ribboned with a blue.

Three seniors were selected as the state delegates, to attend a meeting in order to vote on things changing within Nebraska FFA, Zoey Gratzfeld, James Pick and Paul Kleinschmit.

One of the biggest accomplishments a student could get in the FFA is receiving their State Degrees. This year the HNS chapter had 11 seniors take the challenge. Each member must complete their record books, FFA activities, community service hours in order to just apply. Once they apply they have to interview, and send it on to the state department, which looks them over and decides if they are eligible to receive. All 11 senior FFA members earned the privilege of walking across the stage to receive their State Degrees.