Three CHS Students Will Receive State Degrees at Montana FFA Convention
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Participating in the Chinook High School's Homecoming Parade this past year, FFA members Shyla Benzing carrying the United States flag, Aislinn Handy in pink behind her and riding with Montana's state flag, Madi Gruszie carrying the Canadian flag, and Neva Lowe bringing up the rear with the FFA flag went on to compete in Horse Evaluation for CDE Days in Miles City March 21-22. Placing 15th in a field of 45 teams, the quartet comprised the top performing team from Chinook. On the individual side of competition, Benzing was hands down the top scorer, achieving 15th place in a field of 159! Benzing, along with Christopher Jungers and Halle Mitchell, will be receiving her State FFA Degree at the awards ceremony on Friday evening, April 1, during the 92nd Annual Montana FFA State Convention in Bozeman. Benzing will also be competing on the Livestock Evaluation team at the Convention.
Montana FFA will be hosting the 92nd Annual Montana FFA State Convention in Bozeman on the campus of Montana State University from March 30-April 2. During this convention, FFA Chapters from across the state will be celebrating a time for learning, a time for growth, a time for connection, and a time to showcase the next generation of leaders. Christopher Jungers, Halle Mitchell, and Shyla Benzing, three members of the Chinook Chapter of the FFA, will be part of that leadership showcase. They will be receiving their State Degrees at the awards ceremony on Friday evening.
According to Gwynn Simeniuk, Executive Director of the Montana FFA Foundation, "Montana FFA is proudly hosting Montana FFA members, advisors, and supporters this week from March 30 through April 2. None of this can happen without the supporters and volunteers who assist with student contests. We appreciate this support of FFA members' leadership development and career preparation through these experimental learning opportunities."
Simeniuk went on to announce that the donation window for the "I Believe in the Future of Ag" campaign has been extended to March 31. This educational campaign for agricultural education and FFA is promoting FFA to Montana stake holders, as well as raising funds for local FFA chapters across Montana for innovative projects in their classrooms, leadership programming, community service projects, and FFA events to advance agricultural education in their schools.
"Thanks to our campaign sponsors-Farmers Union Insurance and Northern Ag Network-local donations can go further! Check out this extended opportunity to invest locally," Simeniuk invited.
Over 2,000 FFA members, teachers, alumni, and supporters will fill the MSU campus to participate in the Career and Trade Show taking place Thursday, March 31, and Friday, April 1 in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. As they approach graduation, many FFA members attend the Career and Trade Show to further survey and build their professional and educational opportunities.
Fourteen FFA members from Chinook will be attending State Convention, The Livestock Evaluation team comprised of Wylee Simenson, Morgan Friede, Shyla Benzing, and Bree Swanson will be competing on Thursday morning.
On Friday evening at the awards ceremony, Christopher Jungers, Halle Mitchell, and Shyla Benzing will be among the next generation of leaders when they receive their State Degrees.
The highest degree awarded at the State level in FFA, the State Degree recognizes FFA members who have contributed an exceptional amount of time to their Supervised Agricultural Experience, commonly known as an SAE, as well as to their local chapter.
As FFA members progress through the phases of their leadership, academic, and career skills development, they earn degrees of membership. The first three-the Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree and Chapter FFA Degree-are all earned at the chapter level. State FFA Associations recognize their top members with a State FFA Degree.
The three State Degree honorees also qualified for SAE proficiencies: Shyla Benzing in Equine Entrepreneurship and Beef Placement, Halle Mitchell in Agriculture Sales Entrepreneurship, and Christopher Jungers in Diversified Crop Production-Placement. The trio will learn about their achievements at the Awards Banquet in Bozeman.
All Chinook FFA Chapter members attending the State Convention will additionally participate in the day of community service, take tours around Bozeman, and attend leadership workshops hosted by State FFA officers.
