FFA Members Test Leadership Skills

Posted on November 25, 2014 by WCFFA

West Central FFA members recently traveled to Brookings to compete in the Jackrabbit Invitational Leadership CDEs.  Career Development Events (CDE) are competitive events that test students’ skills in all areas of agriculture and evaluate how well they apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.

Results from the event are as follows:

Placing first were the Ag Communications team of Jared Blume, Taylor Lewin and Erica Lorang and the Ag Issues team of Jake Anderson, Cody Bussell, Conner Ulrich, Rachel Kapperman, Carson Ulrich, Jill Even and Carter Ulrich.

Placing second – the Ag Sales team of Layne Krier, Noah Larson, Cody Farmer and Dalton Larson.

Placing third – the Market Plan team of Ellie Krizan, McKenzie Henning and Cody Pearson.

in Job Interview Rachel Shartz was first and Sara Waldner 4th.

Ag Broadcasting -Dean Knuth was 6th, Devon Garry 10th

In Creed Speaking – Blair Lammers 6th and Gabe Lorang 8th.

FFA members will compete at the district level for a chance to advance to the State Leadership CDEs later this month.

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FFA Members Compete Nationally

Posted on November 7, 2014 by WCFFA

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Pictured left to right are Sara Waldner, Lauren Dolly, Dalton Larson, Linda Petersen

West Central FFA members recently represented the state of South Dakota in the National Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) during the 87th National FFA Convention held in Louisville, KY.  Members of the team were Lauren Dolly, Dalton Larson and Sara Waldner.

The Ag Communications CDE is a competitive event that tests students’ skills in all areas of the agricultural communications field and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations.  Participants attend a simulated press conference and use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in writing, electronic media, and design.  Prior to the event, students compile media plans related to innovative agricultural practices, management techniques and marketing tools.  Each team then creates a 15-minute presentation based on their proposal.  Members also compete in an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.

The team placed 13th in the nation, earning a silver medal.  Individual gold medals were earned by Sara Waldner and Lauren Dolly.  Dalton Larson captured a bronze medal.  The event is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by Osborn & Barr.  2014 marks the third year in a row that West Central has represented the state in the national CDE.  Teams advance to the national level by winning their state CDE.  The Ag Communications team is coached by Ag Ed Instructor and FFA Advisor Linda Peterson.

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Five Earn Highest Award

Posted on October 3, 2014 by WCFFA

Jorry Lammers, Anthonoy Even, Anthony Lueth, Gerrit Pearson and Maty Skinner, members of the West Central FFA Chapter will be awarded the American FFA Degree during the 87th National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY in October. Earning the degree means they are among a select group of individuals to be recognized for years of academic and professional excellence.!

The American FFA Degree is the highest award that can be bestowed upon an FFA member. Roughly 3500 members will be awarded the degree during the National FFA Convention. This represents one half of one percent of all members. The American FFA Degree recognizes demonstrated leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs. To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also make it their mission to demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.

Lammers, Even, Lueth, Pearson and Skinner are five of approximately 3,500 members out of more than 579,678 FFA members to earn the degree. The American FFA Degree recognition program is sponsored by Case IH, DTN, Farm Credit, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Syngenta. Their FFA Advisor is Linda Petersen.

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Team To Compete at National Level

Posted on July 2, 2014 by WCFFA

The West Central FFA Agricultural Communications Team of Sara Waldner, Lauren Dolly, and Dean Knuth earned a berth in the National Ag Communications CDE (Career Development Event) by winning the state contest earlier this year.  The team will represent the state in October during the 87th National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY.  During the competition, Dalton Larson will compete in place of Dean Knuth.

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Pictured left to right: Sara Waldner, Dean Knuth, Lauren Dolly

Agricultural Communications is one of 24 career development event areas ranging from transferable job skills in everything from communications to mechanics.  The three-member team is challenged in all areas of the communications field.  Participants attend a press conference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and complete individual practicums in design, electronic media and writing.  Students are also tested on editing and other communications skills.  CDEs help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly, and perform effectively in a competitive job market.  The event supports student development of sound communication principles to become strong assets to the agriculture industry in the future.

The team will compete for individual scholarships and team awards worth more than $9000 made possible by the National FFA Foundation.  The team becomes the fifth team to compete in the Ag Communications CDE on the national level since the inception of the event in 2002. This team extended WCFFA’s winning streak in the Ag Comm Event capturing the state title for the third year in a row. Waldner, Dolly, Knuth, and Larson are members of the West Central FFA Chapter and are advised and coached by Linda Petersen.

Previous National Ag Comm CDE Teams from West Central included the following:   2006 – Noelle Rist, Marissa Moeller, Kristy Rosenbrook, Danielle Morrison, Chelsea Sandahl, Travis Swier. 2008 – Joe Schartz, Shannon Miller, Stacia Knuth, Spencer Kurtz, Tucker Smith, Riley Olson. 2012 – Liz Renner, Rachel Schartz, Melinda Knuth. 2013 – Cassie Wilebski, Matt Sebert, Kaitlyn Schmeichel, Rachel Kapperman

 

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Members Advance to State Competition

Posted on November 26, 2013 by WCFFA

West Central FFA members recently competed in the District VII Leadership CDEs.  The top two teams and three individuals advance to the state level competition held in December in Pierre.

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In Creed Speaking, Dalton Larson placed 3rd.

IMG_1614Paytin Sullivan placed second in Creed Speaking and second in Prepared Public Speaking.

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In Ag Broadcasting Journalism, Sara Waldner placed first, and second in Job Interview.

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Rachel Schartz placed first in Job Interview.

The Ag Issues team of Jake Anderson, Cody Miller, Rachel Kapperman, Kaitlyn Schmeichel, Conner Ulrich, Matt Sebert and Carson Ulrich placed first.

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In Ag Sales, Noah Larson placed 3rd in individual sales.

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The team of Noah, Ashlynn Henning, Layne Krier and Cody Farmer placed second.

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The Market Plan team of Riley Riepma, Jared Blume and Taylor Bergeson placed second.

The Ag Communications team of Sara Waldner, Dean Knuth and Lauren Dolly placed first.

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Officers were elected to lead the nine-school District for the coming year.  West Central FFA members elected are Rachel Schartz -President, Dean Knuth – Vice President, Kaitylyn Schmeichel – Reporter and Sara Waldner -Sentinel.

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Teams Compete at Nationals

Posted on November 12, 2013 by WCFFA

Career Development Event (CDE) Teams advance to the national competition by winning their state event.  Two such teams represented West Central and the state of South Dakota at the 86th National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY.

The Ag Issues Team placed fifth in the nation and earned a Silver Team Medal.  Team members are Maty Skinner, Anthony Lueth, Taylor Bergeson, Jared Blume, Dean Knuth, Rachel Schartz and Sara Waldner.  The Ag Issues CDE requires members to research an issue of local importance and develop and present all sides or opinions of the issue.  West Central’s Ag Issues topic discussed whether or not the Federal School Lunch Regulations should be repealed.  Each team must present numerous forums to local organizations and groups outside of the school prior to competing at the national event.

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Ag Issues Team front row, left to right: Rachel Schartz, Sara Waldner, Maty Skinner, and Taylor Bergeson.  Back row – Dean Knuth, Anthony Lueth, and Jared Blume

The Ag Communications CDE team of Cassie Wilebski, Rachel Kapperman, and Kaitlyn Schmeichel earned a Silver team award placing 13th in the nation.  The event challenges students’ knowledge of the journalism and communications fields through editing exercises, completing a communications quiz, developing a media plan and presentation focusing on publicizing an event or idea for a local group or organization.  Students also compete in three practicums: News Writing, Magazine Layout Design, and Social Media Strategic Plan Development.  Individual gold medals were awarded to Cassie Wilebski and Rachel Kapperman, a bronze medal was earned by Kaitlyn Schmeichel.

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Pictured left to right are the Ag Communications Team of Rachel Kapperman, Cassie Wilebski, and Kaitlyn Schmeichel.

 

 

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Jackets Awarded to Members

Posted on November 12, 2013 by WCFFA

Five members of the West Central FFA Chapter were recently awarded FFA jackets through the South Dakota FFA Foundation and local sponsors.  The blue jacket is celebrating it’s 80th anniversary of representing agricultural leadership and the FFA.  The jacket is part of the Official Dress worn by members for meetings, conventions, and competitions.  Each student completed an application consisting of several questions about the jacket and what the FFA and having their own jacket means to them.  Those earning jackets are Cody Pearson, Jared Miller, Ellie Krizan, Emma Habben, and Dalton Larson.

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Pictured left to right: Ellie Krizan, Emma Habben, Jared Miller, Dalton Larson, and Cody Pearson

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Fruit Sale On Now!

Posted on October 16, 2013 by WCFFA

**UPDATE – the fruit sale has ended, thank for your support.

The West Central Fruit Sale is now on!  Choose from Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangeloes, D’Anjou Pears and 4 varieties of Apples.  We also feature cheese, sausage and 7 flavors of Butter Braid frozen pastry dough.  New this year is a Bavarian Cream Butter Braid with Chocolate Icing! All proceeds help the members of the West Central FFA Chapter to develop their potential for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth and Career Success. Please place your order by November 13, 2013.  Delivery will take place during the week of December 2, 2013.

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We are also providing the option to make a donation and become a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Forever Blue Sponsor of the West Central FFA Chapter.  Forever Blue Sponsors donate an FFA Jacket for a member.  Please find that option at the bottom of the form.

**UPDATE – the fruit sale has ended, thank for your support.

 

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Teams Advance to Nationals

Posted on September 5, 2013 by WCFFA

The West Central FFA Chapter will send members to Louisville, KY., as they vie for national honors in the areas of Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Issues.  Competitions will take place during the National FFA Convention October 29 – November 3, 2013.

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Ag Communications Team from left to right: Rachel Kapperman, Cassie Wilebski, Kaitlyn Schmeichel

FFA members who will represent the state and chapter in the Ag Communications CDE include Rachel Kapperman, Kaitlyn Schmeichel and Cassie Wilebski.  The event supports student development of sound communication principles to become strong assets to the agriculture industry in the future.

The Agricultural Communications CDE (Career Development Event) is one of 25 national CDEs, covering job skills in everything from communications to mechanics.  The three-member team is challenged in all areas of the agricultural communications field.  Participants attend a press conference, utilize information gathered in a team activity and complete individual practicums in design, electronic media and writing.  Students are also tested on editing and other communications skills.  CDEs help students develop the abilities to think critically, communicate clearly and perform effectively in a competitive job market.

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Members of the Ag Issues Team from left to right: Rachel Schartz, Jared Blume, Dean Knuth, Sara Waldner, Maty Skinner, Taylor Bergeson and Anthony Lueth
 

West Central FFA members will also represent the state in the National Ag Issues Forum. Members of the Ag Issues team include Taylor Bergeson, Jared Blume, Dean Knuth, Anthony Lueth, Rachel Schartz, Maty Skinner and Sara Waldner.  Event participants identify, research and present information on an agricultural issue relevant to their community, thus creating an inherent connection between the members and their presentation.  FFA members present on a current issue facing agriculture to local community groups prior to competing  at the national event.  In their presentation, members must address all sides of their issue allowing the audience to form their own opinions.

West Central FFA members earned their berth to the national competition by winning their respective state CDE during the 2012-13 school year. This is the first year that an Ag Issues team from West Central will compete on the national level.  The chapter has sent teams to the National Ag Communications CDE in 2006, 2009 and 2012. The Ag Issues and Communications teams are coached by West Central FFA Advisor and Agricultural Education Instructor Linda Petersen.

 

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Five Earn Highest Degree

Posted on September 4, 2013 by WCFFA

Shannon Miller, Joe Schartz, Riley Olson, Melinda Knuth and Connor Miles, members of the West Central FFA Chapter will be awarded the American FFA Degree during the 86th National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY in October. Earning the degree means they are among a select group of individuals to be recognized for years of academic and professional excellence.

The American FFA Degree is the highest award that can be bestowed upon an FFA member.  Roughly 3500 members will be awarded the degree during the National FFA Convention.  This represents one half of one percent of all members.  The American FFA recognizes demonstrated leadership ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.  To be eligible, members must have earned and productively invested $7,500 through a supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program in which they start, own, or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise.  Recipients must also make it their mission to demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.

Miller, Schartz, Olson, Knuth and Miles of approximately 3,500 members out of more than  540,379 FFA members to earn the degree.  The American FFA Degree recognition program is sponsored by Case IH, DTN, Farm Credit, Pioneer Hi-Bred and Syngenta.  Their FFA Advisor is Linda Petersen.

 

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