Charles City FFA members win honors at state convention

To The Press

The 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference took place April 14-16 in Ames, and Charles City FFA members earned several awards and honors.

According to Bret Spurgin, Charles City High School agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor, the Leadership and Career Development results were:

• Josette Benning, Individual Ag Sales – gold rating, third overall.
• Chapter Display – Aubrey Michael and Xavier Scott – Top 10 gold.
• Greenhand Quiz – Addison Mutch and Laila Northrop – gold.
• Poultry Evaluation – Colton Anderegg, Lukas Vance, Isabelle Vance and Xavier Scott – gold (24th out of 135 teams).
• Shea Bell, Ag Broadcasting – silver.
• Parliamentary Procedure – Ava Molitor, Bennett Hansen, Bryce Walker, Emma Prichard and Joslyn Bormann – silver.
• Ag Issues and Perceptions – Anya Ruzicka, Alex Wright, Quinn Heidebrink, Brayden Ellis, Nick Williams, Jordin Ritter and Xander Greaser – silver.
• Team Ag Sales – Trevor Carolan, Blake Dean, Cole Jones and Everett Schmitt – silver.
• Farm Business Management – Hayden Heyer, Dillan Dight, Evan Salinas and Jackson Ruzicka – silver.
• Ag Biotechnology – Mayzie Bruening, Madison Crooks, Tyler Heitz and Emma Schmitt – silver.
• Marketing Plan – Josette Benning, Madison Haus and Olivia Kreger – bronze.

Other Results:

• State runner-up in the National Chapter Award Program.
• Hayden Heyer was named the state runner-up for his Turfgrass Management Proficiency Award.
• Taylor Quade was one of six finalists for the Iowa FFA Star in Agricultural Production Award.
• 13 members received their Iowa FFA Degree, the highest honor the state association can bestow on a member – Colton Anderegg, Shea Bell, Josette Benning, Margaret Boss, Madison Haus, Hayden Heyer, Olivia Kreger, Jada Litterer, Ameleah McKenna, Taylor Quade, Evan Salinas, Lauren Staudt and Lukas Vance.
• Josette Benning and Madison Haus participated in the Iowa FFA Band.
• Olivia Kreger participated in the Iowa FFA Choir.

Nearly 7,000 FFA members and guests from across the state gathered to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete in various events, and shape the future of the Iowa FFA Association, according to information from the state organization.