INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, July 30, 2013/National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization has selected 16 students from throughout the U.S. as finalists for its top student achievement awards for 2013.

The American Star Farmer, American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience awards recognize FFA members who have developed exemplary agricultural skills and competency through career development programs, demonstrated outstanding management skills, earned an American FFA Degree and met other agricultural education, scholarship and leadership requirements. The finalists are:

American Star Farmer
Tyler Loschen: Tri-Point FFA, Illinois
Tyler Vathauer: Blue Valley FFA, Kansas
Tyler Linneman: Keytesville FFA, Missouri
Vance Zacharias: Enderlin FFA, North Dakota

American Star in Agribusiness
Chelsey Schlosnagle: Collins FFA, Kentucky
Eric Dean Miller: Lyons-Decatur Northeast FFA, Nebraska
Elizabeth Hayes: Marysville FFA, Ohio
Aaron M. Zimmerman: Spencer FFA, Wisconsin

American Star in Agricultural Placement
Ross Crabill: Shenandoah FFA, Indiana
Connor J. Rose: Shields Valley FFA, Montana
Riley James Schwader: Howard FFA, South Dakota
Trenton Bemis: Lincoln (Alma Center-Humbird-Merillian) FFA, Wisconsin

American Star in Agriscience
Jacob Harrison Schindler: Lowndes County FFA, Georgia
Kelly Froehlich: Academy for Science and Agriculture FFA, Minnesota
Mark Keck: Plainview FFA, Nebraska
Emilie S. Cerny: Big Foot FFA, Wisconsin

Each star finalist receives a cash prize of $2,000 from the National FFA Foundation and earns the opportunity to participate in an international experience.

A panel of judges will interview finalists and select one winner for each award at the 2013 National FFA Convention & Expo Oct. 30-Nov. 2 in Louisville, Ky. The four winners will each receive an additional $2,000 cash award.

The American FFA Degree and Star recognition programs and international experience are co-sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, DuPont Pioneer, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 557,318 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,498 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

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About National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 557,318 student members as part of 7,498 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at www.FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter and the official National FFA Organization blog.

 Shenandoah FFA members joined more than 2,000 other Indiana FFA members at Purdue University for the 84th Indiana FFA State Convention.

Shenandoah FFA definitely had a year of growth in success, legacy, tradition, perseverance and determination. This year's convention was one to remember for the 22 students from our chapter that attended this truly amazing and impactful convention.

Shenandoah FFA member Austin Johnson, a Discovery Degree member, states, "It was truly impactful. Being a first-year member, I really didn't know what to expect when I first got off the bus that day to compete." Austin competed this year in the Discovery Degree Agricultural Issue Forum with his teammates Lauren Stewart and Ryan Reece. State Convention contest competition requires many hours of preparation and dedication in order to have a great success in your endeavors within the FFA organization.

This year Shenandoah's efforts and hours of dedication truly paid off with eight state wins, one second place and one third-place win. Nine Hoosier Degree Recipients were bestowed with the highest award the state can give its members. Shenandoah FFA was also granted the Models of Innovation award for the chapter's community service and chapter development efforts. There were also 11 gold emblem proficiency qualifiers.

Placing first in state were Nathan DeYoung in his Agriculture Communications SAE, Adrianne Trennepohl in Beef Production, Lara Eichhorn in Equine Science and Kathryn Pierce in Swine Production.

Three second-place proficiencies were Devin DeBruhl in Ag Mechanics Design & Fabrication, Jason Masters in Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance and Luke Cronk in Diversified Livestock Production.

Placing third in the state were Kathryn Pierce in Sheep Production, Ann McCambridge in Outdoor Recreation and Sydney Goyette in Fruit Production. And rounding out the top gold proficiencies was Wyatt Bivens with his Forage Production proficiency placing fourth in State.

Keeping up with tradition and following in the footsteps of many Shenandoah FFA members before them, this year's Agricultural Issues Forum team placed first and will be competing in the national in Louisville, Ky., in October. Members of the Issues team are, Nathan DeYoung, Kathryn Pierce, Adrianne Trennepohl, Sydnee Kirby, Brittnee Bertram, McKenna Resler and Wyatt Bivens. Also qualifying for a trip to the national competition in October is the Marketing team placing first in the state. Members are, Nathan DeYoung, Sydnee Kirby and Emma Carpenter

Other Career Development events Shenandoah FFA members competed and their placings are: Agricultural Education -- 1st place by Nathan DeYoung. Plant and Soil Science Demonstration -- State Qualifiers included Bailey Voth and Shelby Lockhart. Multimedia Scrapbook placed first and was created by Nathan DeYoung. The Discovery Degree Agricultural Issues Forum placed second and members were Austin Johnson, Lauren Stewart and Ryan Reese. Discovery Degree Prepared Public Speaking by Claire Trennepohl placed third.

Shenandoah FFA is also proud of their FFA member, Emily Marsh. She was selected to be apart of the State FFA choir for the week of convention -- as well as Kathryn Pierce for being elected to the President's position for the district. And Nathan DeYoung was elected into his vice presidency for the next year. These two members will spend the next year motivating, encouraging and leading members across 16 schools over a seven-county district.

During the Shenandoah FFA's visit to the Lafayette area, members also participated in the FFA chapter fun night, visited Historic Prophetstown agricultural facility and Columbia Park Zoo and took a tour of the Purdue University campus for potential future students.