COLUMBUS – The Versailles FFA Chapter traveled to Columbus on May 1st and 2nd to participate in the 97th annual State FFA Convention. The convention is a way to recognize the accomplishments of FFA members and chapters throughout the state. Versailles FFA had an outstanding State FFA Convention, winning 7 State FFA Proficiency awards and being named the Top FFA Chapter in the state in strengthening agriculture.
Before the convention, Versailles FFA Chapter officers presented three 15-minute PowerPoint Presentations that highlighted the three categories of the National FFA Chapter Application, which include: Growing Leaders, Strengthening AG, and Building Communities. Paige Gehret and Jayna Luthman presented in the Growing Leaders portion, Colin Batten and Eden Barga presented in the Strengthening AG portion, and Greta Broering and Rhylan Broerman presented in the Building Communities portion. As a result of the presentations and interview,s Versailles FFA was named among the top ten chapters in each division. Versailles was named a top ten chapter overall and named as an Ohio FFA Gold Medal Chapter. Versailles FFA was named the #1 chapter in the state with strengthening agriculture, National FFA Chapter out of over 330 FFA Chapters through activities of Poultry Day, Omelette Breakfast and Weather Wise. In addition, Versailles FFA Chapter had a booth for as a Top 10 Chapter in the State.
The State FFA Degree is the highest degree in the state of Ohio. To receive the State FFA Degree, members must turn in their record books, along with an application. They must meet requirements in the area of SAE, chapter involvement, and leadership roles. This yea,r Versailles FFA had 12 members from the chapter receive this award, and they were recognized on Friday night at the convention. The members who received this degree were: Roger Winner, Shawna Schmitmeyer, Eden Barga, Brooke Bergman, Lauren Grogean, Jayna Luthman, Ruthie Smith, Haley Mescher, Ava May, Allee Grimme, Josie Pothast and Paige Gehret.
The Versailles FFA was also well represented with proficiency winners at the State FFA Convention. Versailles FFA had 7 State FFA proficiency winners, which was a record for the chapter. Those who placed first in their proficiency award area will have their applications sent to the national level for further competition. Versailles FFA had ten Top 4 FFA proficiency finalists, which included: Lincoln Winner, Colin Batten, Haley Mescher, Patrick McGlinch, Danica York, James Schmitmeyer, Blake Schmitmeyer, Paige Gehret, and Maggie McGlinch.
Lincoln placed 1st in the state for Diversified Agricultural Production, his SAE consists of working at Brian Winner Farms. He is the son of Brian and Lisa Winner. Colin Batten placed 1st in the state for Dairy Production, his SAE consists of working at Owl Creek Dairy. He is the son of Chris and Suzanne Batten. Haley Mescher placed 1st in the state in Organic Agriculture, where her SAE consists of working at Heckman Family Farms. She is the daughter of Todd and Melissa Mescher. Patrick placed 3rd in the state for Agricultural Services, his SAE consists of pulling and analyzing soil samples through McGlinch Soil and Sampling. He is the son of Janet and Greg McGlinch. Danica York placed 1st in the state for Forest Management and Products, her SAE consists of cutting, splitting, bundling, and selling firewood at York Woods. She is the daughter of Dan York and Mindy Kissinger. James Schmitmeyer placed 1st in the State FFA Diversified Livestock Proficiency award for, his SAE consists of working at Line-View Farm. James is the son of Doug and Brenda Schmitmeyer. Blake Schmitmeyer placed 1st in the State FFA Agricultural Processing Proficiency Award for his SAE consisted of working at The Butcher Block and Smokehouse. Blake is the son of Liz and Matt Schmitmeyer. Paige Gehret placed 2nd in State in Vegetable Production Proficiency award for her 1.1-acre pumpkin patch and Paige placed 1st in the State in the Agricultural Communication Proficiency Award. Paige’s SAE consists of being a Co-Farm News Director at WTGR 97.5 the Tiger. Paige is the daughter of Jill and Gary Gehret. Maggie McGlinch placed 4th in the state in the Poultry Production Proficiency award, with her SAE consisting of raising turkeys and broilers. Maggie is the daughter of Janet and Greg McGlinch. Lincoln Winner was recognized as Top 4 Star Ag Placement finalist for his SAE at Brian Winner Farms.
Other accomplishments included recognition at the State FFA include: Three officers were also awarded pins for being Gold Rated Officers from the Ohio FFA Association. Those officers awarded include: Luke Kaiser, Gold-Rated Treasurer; Paige Gehret, Gold-Rated Secretary; and Maggie McGlinch, Gold-Rated Reporter.
Versailles FFA had 41 members who attended the State Convention.
The students that attended were: Madilyn Wagner, Hank Smith, Andrew Lyons, Brooklyn Livingston, Juli Stephan, Paige Gehret, Josh Myers, Owen DeMange, Lucy Schmitmeyer, Makayla Subler, Grace Borchers, Dale Petitjean, Jayna Luthman, Allee Grimme, Brooke Bergman, Karlie Litten, Jeremiah Wagner, Dylan Dunn, Eden Barga, Colin Batten, Josh Henry, Ruth Smith, Shawna Schmitmeyer, Ava May, Haley Mescher, Rhylan Broerman, Danica York, Lucas Timmerman, Greta Broering, Patrick McGlinch, Luke Kaiser, Simone Grieshop, Molly White-Shappie, Maggie McGlinch, Isley Demange, Keira Rahm, Lauren Grogean, Abby Henry, Lincoln Winner, Russell Winner, and Roger Winner. A special thanks to Jill and Gary Gehret for serving as chaperones.
