Local chapter returns from Madison with top award
By Alexis Rabassa
FFA Reporter
Waupaca FFA was named the state winner of the National FFA Chapter Award at the state FFA convention in Madison on June 11-14.
This means that Waupaca FFA ranked first out of the 238 chapters in the state.
Local members earned first place in the strengthening agriculture division, first in the growing leaders division, and first in the building communities division.
Waupaca FFA has earned first place 14 times in the past 18 years. The Waupaca FFA Chapter will advance on to national competition.
The Waupaca FFA Chapter was awarded first place in its Food for America Program. Paige Swanson and Everlah Riley were interviewed at the convention about the chapters activities included in the Food For America program.
Six FFA members were recognized for earning first place with their proficiency applications: Logan Montgomery – Swine Production Entrepreneur, Blake Orr – Beef Production Placement, Jensen Trinrud – Dairy Production Placement, Elisha Riley – Small Animal Production and Care, Maddie Moericke – Equine Science Entrepreneur, and Taylor Eilers – Diversified Livestock Production.
These members will find out this summer if they are selected as one of the four national finalists. If selected, they will compete at National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October.
Students who earned state gold ratings include:
Beef Production Entrepreneur – Anna Doyle seventh gold;
Beef Production Placement – Blake Orr first gold;
Dairy Production Placement – Jensen Trinrud first gold;
Dairy Production Entrepreneur – Aaron Hamm fifth gold and Elisha Riley sixth gold;
Diversified Crop Production – Griffin Trinrud second gold;
Diversified Livestock – Taylor Eilers first gold;
Equine Science Placement – Maddison Moericke 13th gold and Macy Tebeest 14th gold;
Equine Science Entrepreneurship – Niamh Sexton second gold and Maddison Moericke first gold;
Forage Production – Alex Orr sixth gold;
Goat Production – Everlah Riley second gold;
Small Animal Production & Care – Elisha Riley first gold and Maddison Moericke 12th gold;
Swine Production Entrepreneurship – Logan Montgomery first gold.
Taylor Eilers was the 2018 runner-up to the Wisconsin Star Farmer. This award recognizes students who have expanded their knowledge and their own agricultural related enterprise where they have mastered skills in production, finance and ownership management.
Wisconsin FFA State Degrees were earned by Josh Peglow, Niahm Sexton, Taylor Eilers and Janissa Nickel.
Everlah Riley and Paige Swanson served as official chapter delegates.
Eryn Butzin attended the “ Change Lives Teach Agriculture Education” workshop to learn more about the responsibilities and education requirements of an agricultural teacher.
Paige Swanson helped kick-off the convention when she participated in the FFA Parade of Flags.
Eryn Butzin, Paige Swanson, Everlah Riley and Anna Doyle helped setup for the Rally to Fight Hunger. FFA members will assemble food packages using 40,000 pounds of food to provide relief to adults and children suffering from food insecurities.
Erin Montgomery earned recognition as a Three Star Leader. This honor rated her as one of the best FFA members in Wisconsin during the 2016-17 school year.
Elish Riley, Wisconsin 2017-18 State FFA Treasurer, recognized Greg Nyen and Mark Flaten of the Waupaca School District for their continued support of the Wisconsin and Waupaca FFA.