By William Meiners
Herald Staff Writer
The Ithaca FFA Chapter had quite the showing at the State Convention last week, which was held on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.
In addition to both an individual and team state championships, members placed high in multiple categories.
“It still seems surreal,” said Leslie Siefka, Ithaca agriscience teacher and FFA advisor. “These FFA members have worked long hours and days on their contests and award applications.”
Karlee Whitmore, a junior, was named state champion in equine science. Her application now moves to the national level to compete with state champions from all over the United States.
Whitmore’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is her horses, Siefka said. “Karlee has raised and showed horses her entire life. This award is an equine science proficiency, which recognizes individual and career-based skills developed through multiple years of participation in working with horses.”
The Ithaca FFA parliamentary procedure team also won a state championship. Comprised of Blake Morris, Quinne McMurphy, Brent DeSaegher, Emma Polash, Emmalee Shankel, and Emalee Woodard, that team will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis next November.
“The contest evaluates their ability to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting using parliamentary procedure from Robert’s Rules of Order,” Siefka said. “Team members are judged on their knowledge of parliamentary law and their ability to present logical, realistic and convincing debate and motions.”
The Robert’s Rules of Order presents no small learning curve. Siefka reported that the team began preparing for the state competition last fall. “They practice from early mornings to school lunch breaks, as well as after school and evenings,” she said.
The state convention offered lots of chances for FFA members to show their prowess in individual and team contests.
“These contests challenge critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of healthy competition and individual achievement,” Siefka said. “FFA members have the opportunity to develop their skills by filling out award applications and preparing for their future careers through their Supervised Agricultural Experience, which is an experiential service or work-based learning through the agricultural industry.”
As surreal as it all may seem, the Ithaca FFA achievements were not surprising when hard work factors into it. “It’s a long-dedicated time,” Siefka said. “And to put it into perspective, the contest season lasts longer than the typical sports season. However, the practices and dedication are all worth the sacrifices when they achieve their goals.”
Other award winners
In addition to the state championships, a seventh and eighth grade team earned sixth place in a “junior high conduct of meetings team” competition. The team includes Lucas Little, Ben Munro, Viola Donovan, Reagan Bauer, Riley Skinner, Samantha Taylor, and Rylee Strait.
Nicole Hollabaugh placed third in the state in an extemporaneous speaking contest. In that competition, students receive an agricultural topic and write a four- to five-minute speech in 30 minutes.
Hollabaugh was also chosen as the Jack Schut Memorial Scholarship recipient, which covers the cost of attendance for the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. this summer.
Hollabaugh and Tanner Lamey placed second in the state for the crop management challenge contest. This contest requires a team effort to develop a nutrition plan for a plot of soybeans planted in St. John’s at the Agroliquid North Central Research Station.
They also created an educational booth set up during AgroExpo and an educational presentation that they delivered to a panel of judges in the fall. It is a year-long contest, so teams must stay well engaged to accomplish their goals.
Eight FFA members received Outstanding Junior Degrees. They included Carlson Eckelbarger, Grady Andrews, Lillian Sierakowski, Sydney Harkness, Emma Montgomery, Nicole Hollabaugh, Esperansa Sandoval, and Karlee Whitmore.
Lane McDonald and Emilee Fish received State FFA degrees, the highest FFA degree in Michigan.
In addition to Whitmore’s Equine Science Proficiency award, Grady Andrews won gold in Agricultural Services Proficiency, and Nicole Hollabaugh won gold in sheep production proficiency award areas.
For the chapter awards, the Ithaca FFA chapter won the silver National Chapter Award and placed third in the state for the Speak Ag Contest.
Siefka noted that the National Chapter emphasizes growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership.
The Speak Ag Challenge Contest is a social media contest in partnership with Michigan Farm Bureau to promote monthly social media posts pertaining to the agricultural industry. And the Outstanding Junior Degrees can be likened to an FFA version of a high school degree while a State Degree is comparable to a college bachelor’s degree.