Catoctin FFA Succeed at 92nd National FFA Convention & Expo
National FFA convention is held every year and attracts FFA members from every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. The 92nd National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 28-November 2, 2019. At the convention, 22 Catoctin FFA members joined over 69,000 other FFA members and guests from across our nation. Throughout the week, members were able to participate in sessions, workshops, and a career expo.
Members competed in career development events and leadership development events, more often referred to as CDEs and LDEs. To complete a CDE/LDE, each team (or individual contestant) had to extensively learn their subject and rehearse their task in preparation for the state convention. Every state gets to send one winning team per CDE/LDE to advance to nationals. This year, Catoctin FFA’s Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Issues, Farm and Agribusiness Management, and Milk Qualities and Products teams advanced to nationals.
Agriculture Mechanics: The Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event (CDE) helps students develop technical knowledge and an ability to work with others to solve complex agricultural problems. The event is built around students learning and executing a “systems approach.”Catoctin’s team placed silver. Danny Janc and Alex Sumner earned a bronze individual placing; Robert Hahn placed silver, individually; and Devin Wine placed gold, individually. The team won a welder for the Catoctin FFA Chapter. The team was coached by Phil Kolb and Tyler Wolf.
Agriculture Issues: The Agriculture Issues team presented a 15-minute skit on alternative milk options. Each member of the team played a part that was an expert on milk and alternative milk options. The team had to present the facts in an unbiased and creative way. The team earned a bronze placing. Members include: Kendall Abruzzese, Daniel Dutrow, Carley McGhee, Josie Kaas, and Kolton Whetzel. The team was coached by Cathy Little and Michael Poffenberger.
Farm and Agribusiness Management: Farm and Agribusiness Management helps the students to learn business skills and economic principles to agricultural businesses. Students were given a real-life business that they analyzed and answered questions. Catoctin’s team placed bronze at the national convention. Individual standing included: Abigail Christian and Taylor Wivell earned bronze placings. Riley Flick and Ty Lenhart earned silver placings. The team was coached by Micahel Poffenberger.
Milk Qualities and Products: Members in this CDE demonstrate their knowledge about the quality production, processing, distribution, promotion, and marketing of milk and dairy foods. Alexis Morgan and Kiah Morgan placed silver, individually. Sierra Weatherly and Cheyenne Van Echo placed gold, individually. The team was a silver placing team. The team was coached by Shelby Green and Carrie Wivell.
Members Paige Baker, Sierra Flanary, Abby Kinnaird, Konnor Sowell, and Cadin Valentine attended convention as Chapter Delegates.
Catoctin FFA sends out a special thanks to its chaperones, Cathy Little, Patti Hubbard, Matt Dellinger, Chris and Dani Jackson, Carrie Wivell, Shebly Green, Phil Kolb, Tyler Wolf, and Michael Poffenberger.
Four chapters in Maryland were recognized at this year’s convention. This is based on an application the chapter completes to showcase some of its activities throughout the year. Catoctin FFA was one of four eligible chapters from Maryland and was recognized nationally as a 1-star chapter.
