Local FFA members take the stage to accept state awards

By Carrie A. Mizell

Gilchrist County was well represented at the 81st Florida FFA State Convention, where members of both Bell and Trenton FFA Chapters participated in contests at the state level, served as voting delegates, and picked up state awards.
According to Bill Martin, Bell FFA Sr. Chapter advisor, 19 students from Bell Middle-High School traveled to the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando to attend State Convention, June 8-12.
The Bell FFA chapter advisor said that if you want to know about a tractor, look no further than Bell FFA member Orrie Roberts. Roberts was recognized at Convention as the state winner in the tractor operation and maintenance competition.

Bell FFA member Orrie Roberts is shown accepting his first place trophy after winning the state tractor operations event. Shown l-r: State FFA President Marshal Sewell, Orrie Roberts, Bell FFA Advisor Bill Martin and State FFA Officer Will Leonard.

Trenton FFA member Katie Quincey also took the stage at State Convention to accept a 2009 Proficiency Award for Beef Production-Entrepreneurship. Quincey was reportedly quite surprised, but overjoyed by the unexpected win.

Katie Quincey is shown with her parents,
Steven and Kimberly Hines after she won a state proficiency award.

The Proficiency Award program rewards FFA members for accomplishments in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. According to the Florida FFA website, these supervised programs are planned, practical activities that are conducted outside of class time that help students develop and apply agricultural knowledge and skills learned inside the classroom.
Racheal Harrison, a member of the Trenton FFA Chapter, placed in the top five in the state for her proficiency programs, Outdoor Recreation and Agriculture Education.
Bell FFA member Katie Geiger was recognized as High Individual in the State for her performance in the middle school division of the state land judging contest. Overall, Martin explained that Bell’s middle school land judging team placed third in the state, as did Bell’s dairy team.
Members of the Trenton Sr. Chapter’s Dairy Judging Team were recognized during state convention as having placed first in the state, while Trenton’s Jr. Chapter Dairy Judging Team placed second.
According to Heather Rucker, Trenton Jr. Chapter advisor, Trenton’s Ag. Mechanics team was also recognized at state convention.
Josh Leverette, a member of the Trenton FFA Chapter placed third in Extemporaneous Public Speaking Contest.
Members of the Trenton Sr. FFA Chapter also placed third in the Food For America Program.
“Our senior and junior chapters were recognized for being premier chapters and national chapters and for having 100 percent membership,” Rucker said.
Rucker and Trenton Sr. FFA Chapter Advisor Steve Broker were acknowledged for Trenton FFA Chapter’s outstanding work in winning the Plate for a Plate Challenge, which was sponsored by Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson.
Trenton FFA member Erin Jones placed fifth in the ornamental horticulture state contest, Rucker explained.
During the week-long convention, Martin said FFA members attended leadership workshops and sessions where they heard inspiring words from keynote speakers, and elected new state FFA officers. Among those elected state officers for 2009-2010 was Austin Gibson of Baker County FFA.
As the newly elected Area II State Vice President, Austin will represent Trenton and Bell FFA Chapters, as well as chapters throughout the region at the state level.