Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lincoln FFA Teams Finish As State Champions
Lincoln High School’s FFA Chapter brought home four state championships and many other awards from the 88th Arkansas FFA State Convention, held June 3-5 in Hot Springs.
Lincoln FFA advisors and agriculture teachers Sarah Hale and Kevin Barenberg also were recognized at the convention. Hale received Outstanding Young Member award, based on her past six years, and Barenberg was awarded the Outstanding Teacher award, based on his career as an FFA sponsor. Both will advance to the regional competitions.
Lincoln FFA members were named state champions for Floriculture, Food Science, Poultry Proficiency and Poultry Media Contest.
Other awards were Ag Communications second place, Poultry Proficiency second place, national chapter award, affiliated chapter award and one student was awarded a National FFA scholarship for $1,000. Another Lincoln student, Ashlyn Jackson, was selected as a finalist to perform in the convention’s talent show. She played the piano.
In addition, two students received their state FFA degrees and three students will be eligible to receive their FFA American degrees at the national convention in October in Louisville, Ky.
Hale explained students can earn two degrees with their local club. To receive a state degree, students have to be seniors and have earned $7,000 by working on a farm or at an agriculture type job. To earn an American degree, students have to earn $15,000. Hale said only 1 percent of FFA students are able to earn the highest degree.
Cash awards for Lincoln students at the state convention were $2,500 for winning the Poultry Media Contest and $400 for the Poultry Proficiency winner.
Hale said she and Barenberg were excited for their students.
FFA clubs from schools of all sizes compete at the state convention. Lincoln competed against much larger 5A, 6A and 7A schools, as well as smaller schools, Hale said.
“We had four state championships within our group of students,” Hale said. “It’s really an honor for our kids to bring home these awards.”
She added, “We’re both really proud of our students and how they got to see their hard work and efforts pay off.”
Lincoln’s FFA Chapter has about 200 students who participate in all types of activities, from showing livestock at the fair to competing at career development events to learning skills, such as welding and engine repair, in the agriculture shop.
“We have something for everyone,” Hale said.
FFA members who competed at the convention included Kelby Biswell, Kaitlyn Kelly, McKenna Cunningham, Lauren Cole, Alexis Driggs, Cole Umberson, Ashlyn Jackson, Shaina Denton, Jennifer Avellanada and Gavin Glenn.