Members of the Waupaca FFA won several awards at the 2012 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 23-26.
Ashley Orr was named the National Diversified Livestock Proficiency Winner.
Hannah Piencikowski competed in the national prepared speaking contest. The title of her speech was “The Mentality that Keeps the World Hungry”.
Devon Feldt, Erin Hanson, Alex Hanson, and Lauren TeBeest earned their American FFA Degree, which is the highest degree given by the National FFA Association.
The Waupaca FFA was honored as a three-star chapter, which placed the local chapter among the elite.
Members created a Wisconsin FFA Hall of States booth. More than 400 pounds of cheese and 50 pounds of sausage were donated and distributed at the booth. The booth was created to promote Wisconsin agriculture and the FFA.
An autographed picture of Aaron Rodgers was given away as a prize. Waupaca was selected to create the booth because the local FFA had been named the No. 1 chapter in Wisconsin.
All Waupaca members in attendance participated in the Rally to Fight Hunger, .a service event to help feed children and adults suffering from food insecurity.
Members toured Miller Park Stadium in Milwaukee.They went into the dugout, touched the field, visited the locker room, and learned about the stadium and how it was built.
Students toured the Albanese Candy Factory, located in Merrillville, Ind., on the way to Indianapolis. The factory produces gummies. The factory is renowned for their technical expertise in the use of vitamins, and pharmaceutical nutrients in conjunction with confections. Members went on a self-guided tour that included television demonstrations and also a view of the working machines.
Other tours included the Circle S Ranch where students were able to see an alpaca farm and learn more about how they are raised. The last tour the members went on was to the factory Not Just Popcorn, where they learned about the production of 38 different flavors of popcorn.