SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Flanagan-Cornell FFA chapter attended the 95th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 13-15 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2023 theme of “Electrify,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
During the convention, the following awards were presented to the Flanagan-Cornell FFA:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Kesler Collins was conferred with the State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Pictured Above: Kesler Collins receiving his state FFA degree from Illinois FFA President, Rachel Hood
American FFA Degree: Grace Brown, Sam Jones, Hattie Koeller, & Wyatt Zehr were recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The American FFA Degree will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in November and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.
Growing Leaders National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Growing Leaders is designed to encourage the chapter to develop individual and cooperative activities to enhance students' life skills. The University of Illinois College of ACES is the statewide sponsor of the Growing Leaders National Chapter Award.
Pictured above (from L to R): Trevor Brown and Chastidie Bednaza
Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Strengthening Agriculture is designed to encourage opportunities and service for members, such as promoting increased member participation and financial responsibility, creating a positive image, and interacting with support groups and cooperatives through organized activities. Farm Credit Illinois is the statewide sponsor of the Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award.
Pictured above (from L to R): Emerson Weber and Andrew Koeller
Section Premier Chapter Award: The Premier Chapter Award is given to the chapter in each section with the highest overall score on the National Chapter Award application. Flanagan-Cornell was the Section 9 Winner for the Premier Chapter Award.
Pictured above (from L to R): Tomi Ross and Darren Howell receiving the Section Premier Chapter Award.
State Top 5 & 1st Runner-Up Premier Chapter Award
The State Top 5 recognition is awarded to the top 5 chapters in the state based on the highest overall scores on the National Chapter Award Application. The Flanagan-Cornell FFA Chapter was recognized as the Premier Chapter Runner Up Award Winner, which places them as 2nd in the state of Illinois. The Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies Youth Education in Agriculture Committee sponsors the Premier Chapter Awards. The chapter was also named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete this fall at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Pictured above (from L to R): Kesler Collins and Austin Quick receiving the Premier Chapter Runner-Up Award
Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Gracie Murphy, of Illinois, and from each of the retiring major state officers.
About Illinois Association FFA
The Illinois Association FFA is part of the National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America. Over 41,000 students are enrolled in 365 FFA chapters in the State of Illinois. FFA is a national youth organization of 850,823 student members with a mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Visit www.ilaged.org for more information.
About the Illinois Foundation FFA
Illinois Foundation FFA engages individuals, industry, education, government, and foundations in securing funds to support quality agricultural education and FFA programs in Illinois, including providing awards at the State FFA Convention. To learn more and become involved, visit www.illinoisffafoundation.org.
For more information, contact:
Illinois FFA Center | 3221 Northfield Drive | Springfield, IL 62702
217-753-3328 | www.ilaged.org