The Ord FFA had a fantastic state convention with State FFA Degrees and other awards being received and lots of fun to be had all around. Members who attended this year’s convention were Aaron Kokes, Trisha Dahlke, Nichole Setlik, Amanda Duvall, Debra Wray, Bailey McKay, Elizabeth Vavra, Kris Hornickel, Amanda Shepperd, Thomas Shepperd, Loren Volf, Homero Gallegos, Christie Schauer, Johnny Ference, Ben Sautter, Seth Smedra, Dillion Davis, Kurtis Dawson, Landon Banks, Geoffrey Foth, Bryant Els, Jace McKay, Tom Krcilek, Grady Gydesen, Austin Ries , Sydney Kruml, William David, Eva M., Ashley  Bruha, Brooke Miller, Taylor Hornickel, Cody Krikac, Dylan Miller, Devin Cronk, and Kelsey Anderson.

   Convention started on Wednesday, April 1st and kicked off with a very entertaining hypnotist show in which the chapter’s very own Aaron Kokes and Johnny Ference were hypnotized in front of hundreds of FFA members.

   On Thursday members were kept busy with events such as the Legislative Breakfast where  Ord FFA members had a chance to meet with their senator, Kate Sullivan, and listen to Governor Heineman address members about the importance of agriculture in Nebraska.  The rest of the day members participated in numerous contests such as Job Interview, Sr. Public Speaking, and Ag Demonstration. The Leadership Skills Events (LSEs) took place at the Cornhusker Hotel and the Career Development Events (CDEs) were held on UNL’s East Campus. 

   Also that night members attended a session held at Pershing Auditorium which featured motivational speaker, Shawn Harper.

   Friday was an exciting day as Debra Wray competed in the finals of Sr. Public Speaking and the Jr. High students came to Lincoln to participate in the quiz bowl competition.  Also the parents of State FFA Degree recipients traveled to Lincoln to have dinner with the members and watch as their children received their state degrees.

   Here’s the full run down of who did what and how they did at convention. On the LSE side of contests, the Senior Parliamentary Procedure Team of Amanda Duvall, Loren Volf, Homero Gallegos, Nichole Setlik, Elizabeth Vavra, and Debra Wray merited a bronze award.

   In the contest area of Ag Demonstration the team of Aaron Kokes, Trisha Dahlke, Kris Hornickel, and Bailey McKay received a bronze for their demonstration on conservation farming practices and Amanda Duvall competed in Job Interview and came away with a silver medal. Debra Wray won Sr. Public Speaking and received a trophy and a medal as well as the right to represent the state of Nebraska in the National Sr. Public Speaking Contest held during the National FFA Convention at Indianapolis, Indiana next October.

   In the Career Development Events, Ord had members competing in many different contests such as Livestock Management, Welding, Farm Management, Agronomy, Agriscience, Meats Judging, Ag Mechanics, and Livestock Judging with numerous individuals and teams receiving awards. Congratulations to all State FFA Convention participates!

   The Ord FFA had a phenomenal time at convention this year and would like to thank everyone who helped members prepare for their contests!

   Earlier this month nine members of the Ord FFA participated in the young Farmers and Rancher’s Tour to the Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility and to the Rowse Rake production operation in O’Neil.

   The Ord FFA has had a tremendous year full of lasting memories, chapter growth and success, and plenty of fun and would like to thank the community of Ord for its wonderful support of the chapter.