Leigh FFA Attends State Convention
By: Jared Olson, a freshman at Leigh High School
The Nebraska State FFA Convention is held annually in Lincoln each April. This year, the Leigh FFA chapter attended the convention on April 6-8.
Throughout the convention, students attend motivational sessions as well as compete in various events that they qualified for.
This was the first time students across the state were able to get together in person in two years due to pandemic restrictions.
Leigh FFA had students competing in the following contests: Agronomy, Environmental & Natural Resources, Livestock Evaluation: Junior Division, Livestock Management Team, Meats Evaluation & Technology, Creed, People in Ag Careers, and JH Quiz Bowl.
Highlights from the convention include sophomore James Grotelueschen placing 10th overall in Livestock Evaluation, Junior Division. Also, the Junior Livestock Evaluation Team of James Grotelueschen, Taya Hambleton, Kammy Held, and Carter Brabec placed 2nd overall out of 55 teams.
In addition to the contests, five chapter members earned their FFA State Degree. These included Jacob Eisenmann, Kanyon Held, Madison Noonan, Zane Williams, and Logan Schroeder.
Sophomore Taya Hambleton says “Finally being able to be back in person for State FFA was amazing! We had several teams compete and everyone placed fairly well. Placing second in livestock judging was also a huge victory!”
FFA Advisor Vanessa Knutson said, “State FFA was a great experience for the students, and I am very proud of them.”
Full List of State Contest Results:
Environmental & Natural Resources: Audie Tejkl - Red Ribbon, Aiden Miller - White Ribbon
Livestock Evaluation, Junior: James Grotelueschen - 10th Overall Individual - Purple Ribbon, Taya Hambleton – Purple Ribbon, Kammy Held – Blue Ribbon, Carter Brabec – White Ribbon; Team - 2nd Place - Purple Ribbon
Livestock Evaluation, Senior: Team: White Ribbon; Meats Evaluation & Technology: Kanyon Held - Red Ribbon; Creed Speaking: Brianne Kuhr – Bronze; People in Ag Careers: Reann Bruhn – Silver, Grace Hanson – Gold, Cody Jedlicka – Gold, Reese Bruhn – Gold, Rebecca Hastreiter – Silver, Daphne Jedlicka - Gold