News : VS Blue Jackets earn Gold at State FFA Convention

The Iowa FFA State Convention was held in Ames, IA from April 27-29, 2014. The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter had 43 members and several chaperones attend the convention.

Drew Wiley, Class of 2017, went to state to compete in Creed speaking.

“Receiving a gold was my goal and I achieved that goal, so I am very happy,” said Drew, who was recognized on stage for this achievement.

The Team Ag Sales team consisted of Riley Ries ’15, John Eden ’15, Kyle Henkle ’14, and Cole Emrich ’16. The team received a bronze.

Ag communications was an event that was done for the first time this year. The team was made up of Jessica Alderson ’16, Kayla Schneider ’17, and Sarah Siglin ’16. The team placed 4th in the state with a Gold, and Jessica Alderson ’16 placed 5th place individually.

“I was really nervous about competing but in the end we did wonderful! I was really surprised at how well we did,” said freshman Kayla Schneider.

Katie Isbell ’16, Sydney Robertson ’15, Emily Reich ’16, and Grace Milroy ’16 made up the Farm Business Management team. This team also received a bronze placement.

Six members attended state for competing in Chapter Exhibit. The team consisted of Dillon Brummer ’14, Jacob Patrilla ’14, Cole Emrich ’16, Shane Monoghan ’16, Kaitlin Isbell ’16, and Sydney Walker ’16.

“We placed with a gold and received 3rd in the state. We did much better than we thought we would and we got to go an stage to get a plaque which was pretty cool,” said Sydney Walker ’16.

The chapter also received the WHO Public Relations award for submitting an application on the county fair classes that the chapter taught this past summer.

Kyle Henkle placed first in his diversified crop production proficiency application, which will continue to the National level to be judged.

Along with all of these awards, the chapter was presented with the Supreme National Chapter award for being the 10th chapter in the state which advances them to nationals, and the Ambassador award for its contributions and donations to the Iowa FFA.

Overall the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter had an amazing time at state convention, and represented themselves as well as our school very well.