Kalispell FFA students bring home state awards
Twenty-one students from Flathead and Glacier high schools competed during spring break at the State FFA Convention in Billings.
Flathead FFA students tested their knowledge and skills in a variety of agricultural and leadership competitions and brought home several awards.
Jemma Morrow was the state champion in Prepared Public Speaking and will represent Montana next fall at the National FFA Convention with her speech, “Back to School to Learn About Agricultural Education.”
Jordan Robins, Bekah Allen, Meghan Floyd, Suny Cheff, Kylee Gibson and Julie Denna were the runners-up in the highly competitive Parliamentary Procedure event.
“We won the state championship last year and started over this year with a brand new group of students,” adviser Justin Heupel said. “Believe me, they didn’t do so well because it’s an easy competition.”
Ashley Goyer, Kassy Betterley, Kalee McRae and Morrow finished in third place in Ag Business Management. Morrow took seventh and Goyer finished ninth individually in that event.
McRae, Andrea Jepsen, Jordan Robins and Carter Krantz took fourth place in Livestock Evaluation. McRae finished 11th individually.
Kelsey Ovik, Alana Townsend, Amber Wiebe and Krantz finished sixth in Agronomy. Townsend finished 15th and Krantz came in 18th as individuals in the event.
Tanaia Wise, Ovik, McRae and Morrow took ninth in Ag Sales. Wise was the seventh-place individual in the event.
Ian Paulson, Aaron Burns, Tyler Burnett and Ryan Ek participated in the Ag Mechanics event.
Sean Bohannan, Goyer, McRae, Ovik, Morrow, Wise and Paulson were recognized as State FFA Degree recipients. The degree is given to top members of a state FFA association.
Four Flathead FFA students received proficiency awards, which are given to students in a Supervised Agricultural Experience — a work-based learning program.
Morrow and Paulson received Gold awards in Agricultural Processing and Dairy Production, respectively.
McRae was the state winner in Turf Grass Management, and Bohannan was the state winner in Forestry and Forest Products.
State winners receive $250 cash awards and their applications go on to compete nationally.
Three students were recognized for their chapter officer books. Morrow took first place for her secretary book. Robins’ treasurer book took second place. McRae took first place for her chapter scrapbook and second place for her reporter’s event.
Ovik was the first-ever Glacier High School candidate for state office. She ultimately was not selected, but Heupel was proud of her efforts.
“She represented us all very well and put forth her best effort,” he said. “This is the most grueling interview process she will ever experience in her entire life.”
Fifty-five Flathead FFA members have served as state FFA officers since FFA began in Montana in 1930, Heupel said.
Flathead FFA was named one of the state’s top FFA chapters; that application will go on to represent Montana at the national level, he said. The chapter presented information about its activities to about 1,500 people at the state convention.
Flathead FFA has earned recognition in the National Chapter Award category 69 times since 1942, Heupel said.