June 12, 2024 -Members of the Maroa-Forsyth, Andreas Ag Academy and Central A & M FFA chapters attended the 96th annual Illinois State FFA Convention this week, along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2024 theme of “United As One,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA Western Region Vice President Emily Gossett of New Mexico and from each of the retiring major state officers.
Chapters and members from around the state were honored as well, including many awards presented to Maroa-Forsyth, Central A & M and the Andreas Ag Academy.
Maroa-Forsyth FFA chapter Awards:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Greyson Applebee, Beau Laswell, Peyton Peters, and Jackson Wallen were conferred with State FFA Degrees by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
American FFA Degree: John Aupperle was recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2024 American FFA Degrees will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.
Sam Taylor Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Maxwell Berry was selected as one of twelve 2024 recipients of this statewide memorial scholarship. Established by the Taylor family in memory of Sam Taylor, the 1991-92 State FFA President, the scholarship is available to a graduating high school senior who is an Illinois FFA member planning to major in agriculture, a student enrolled in an agriculture program leading to a degree in agriculture, or a student enrolled in agriculture at a two or four year college. Students majoring in agricultural education or animal science receive first consideration. The scholarship is administered by the Illinois Foundation FFA.
Top 10 Chapter President: Grant Simmons was recognized as one of ten outstanding chapter presidents in the state who achieved the highest degree of excellence during their year of service to their chapter. The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders sponsors the Top 10 Chapter Presidents Award.
Top 10 Chapter Reporter: Taylor Crouch was recognized as one of 10 outstanding chapter reporters in the state for exemplary dedication and diligence in communicating with chapter members and the local media. The award is sponsored by Illinois AgriNews.
Top 5 Section Reporter: Gehrig Bunselmeyer was recognized as one of the top five outstanding section reporters in the state for exemplary dedication and diligence in communicating with chapters and the media throughout the section. The award is sponsored by Illinois AgriNews.
Fruit and Nut Production State Proficiency Winner: Gehrig Bunselmeyer was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Fruit and Nut Production. Gehrig is the son of Mark and Mindy Bunselmeyer. He is a member of the Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter, advised by Cassie Crouch. For his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Gehrig works at Maddox Farms for his placement book, which details his time raising watermelons and cantaloupes. He handles everything from planting to harvest and selling and can accurately identify quality watermelons and cantaloupes. Gehrig works as a crew boss and handles employee management. He enjoys selling to and interacting with customers.
Agriscience Environmental Sciences & Natural Resource Systems Division Winner: Greyson Applebee was recognized as a top participant in one of the six categories of the Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair. Students gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises and use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. CF Industries sponsors FFA’s Agriscience Fair.
State Winner Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event: Morgan Crouch was recognized for winning the state Creed Speaking LDE for Greenhand FFA members. Participants present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions about its meaning and purpose. The event boosts students’ self-confidence and develops their abilities to communicate in a powerful, professional manner..
Central A & M FFA chapter awards:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Laynee Dunakey was conferred with the State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Landscape Management State Proficiency Winner: Samantha Hazelwonder was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Landscape Management. Samantha is the daughter of Russell and Candi Hazelwonder. She is a member of the Central A&M FFA Chapter, advised by Betsy Burgener. For her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Samantha works for the Moweaqua Park District, where she manages five flowerbeds at two parks. She designs, plants, and weeds the flower beds in the spring, pulls annuals out in the fall, ensures the flower beds are maintained throughout the summer, and keeps the park board up to date on what she is doing. She began the SAE working with an older FFA member and took over her sophomore year. Samantha has learned many skills, including public speaking, time management, and properly caring for plants.
Top Chapter Foundation Award & $15,000 Club Award: The chapter was recognized for coordinating the state’s top local fundraising campaign for the Illinois Foundation FFA. The chapter’s fundraising total was more than $15,000.
Andreas Ag Academy FFA Chapter Awards:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Chloe Ribley was conferred with the State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Foundation Star Supporter: The chapter was recognized for making a gift of at least $1,000 to the Illinois Foundation FFA during the annual fundraising campaign which designates them as a One Star Foundation Sponsor.
National Chapter Award Finalist: The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.
