Legacy, Tradition and Perseverance

 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.