New York FFA alumni wins national award

VERNON, N.Y. >> Nearly 200 FFA members, FFA advisors, and adults from 30 schools throughout New York attended the 92nd annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, as part of the New York FFA Alumni’s annually sponsored agricultural education trip.

The national student-focused event is one of the world’s largest student conventions with 69,944 FFA members in attendance representing more than 8,600 local FFA Chapters nationwide.

At the convention, the New York FFA Alumni and Supporters organization was recognized as the Eastern Region’s Outstanding State FFA Alumni Association in part for their planning and conducting the annual Convention trip for FFA’ers.

Additionally, the volunteer support group was awarded as the national winnerwith the largest percent Life Member Growth and national winner as the largest net percent Alumni Chapter increase. New York State FFA Alumni President Paulette Schiebel and Treasurer Sheila Sreca, both of Vernon, New York, attended the awards ceremonies to accept the honors.

After receiving the award, President Schiebel said: “It’s an honor to be recognized nationally for the efforts of all of our state and local volunteers who support the Blue and Gold jackets of the FFA and the students that wear them. “

This past year, New York added 18 new local FFA alumni affiliates to support the educational opportunities for youth in agriculture.

Locally, FFA members of the Hamilton FFA represented New York as the state winner in theNational FFA Horse Judging Contest and received a silver ranking. The teamfinished 19th out of 47 teams from across the nation with teammembers Emma Basher and Colby Campbell receiving a

SUBMITTED PHOTO Mount Markham FFA tours Ozark Fisheries in Martinsville, Indiana as part to the National FFA educational experience. Pictured are Senior chapter reporter Victoria Weaver, Senior Mackenzie Geary, Junior Chapter Secretary Katie Livingston, FFA Advisor Eric Bugbee, Senior Sentinel Julia Lewosko, and Senior President Carly Curtis.