Flathead FFA Chapter earns high marks again

The Flathead FFA Chapter has a star-rated record of excellence.

The chapter was recognized as a top team at the 2013 National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville, Ky., earning a two-star National FFA Star Chapter Award, the second highest rank.

About 350 Flathead and Glacier high school students make up the chapter.

The National FFA recognizes outstanding chapters that successfully complete an annual set of required activities that encourage members to grow as individuals, work as a team and serve others in their community.

Before a chapter is eligible to compete at the national level it must earn a gold award at the state level. The top three gold award winners from each state advance to compete for a National FFA Star Chapter Award.

This is the 69th time the Kalispell FFA Chapter has been recognized at the state level, having received a three-star rating 40 times, a two-star rating 26 times and a one-star rating three times.

In addition to the two-star rating, four Kalispell FFA Chapter members received individual awards in the National FFA Meats Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event held in conjunction with the convention and expo Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.

The team led by adviser Tucker Hankinson was awarded a bronze emblem. Members also competed individually against 159 participants. Members Kendra Abernathy and Justine Hersey each earned silver emblems. Sandra Ek and Travis Levanen earned bronze emblems.

The Meats and Technology Career Development Event tests students’ skills and competencies in evaluating and identifying various meat carcasses, retail and wholesale cuts, quality and yield grading of beef carcasses.