Twelve students representing the Big Flat Chapter of the FFA will be competing at the 93rd Montana FFA State Convention scheduled for March 21-25 in Great Falls, Montana, at the Four Seasons Arena. In the words of event organizers, this convention is “a premier opportunity to interact with our state’s best and brightest future leaders.” Livestock, Meats, Mechanics, and Ag Sales Teams from Turner Public Schools (TPS) will showcase their talent, seniors Dakota Krass and Charlie Calvert will receive State FFA Degrees, and all in attendance will hear motivational speakers like Dr. Laymon Hicks.

Beyond the awards bestowed, Chapter Advisor, Mr. Nathan Urie claims this is an opportunity for students to expand on their talents and gain additional experience. Qualifying for State Convention was dependent on high scores earned in previous Career Development Events (CDEs). Calvert qualified to compete in Mechanics. He will be joined by sophomores Meridian King-Snider and Caleb Zellmer, as well as junior Ryan Doyle. Snider will also compete on the Livestock Team, along with fellow classmate Cassidy Grabofsky and two freshmen, Bridget Reed and Joe Trautmann.

Reed and Grabofsky will additionally join sophomore Carson Maloney and junior Trent Billmayer to form a Meats Team. Other competitors are Tate Beck and JR Brown, two sophomores who will demonstrate skills in Ag Sales. Rounding out the foursome on that team will be Doyle and perhaps freshman Landon Hickel.

Although the Opening Ceremony doesn’t take place until Wednesday when Great Falls Mayor Bob Kelly will welcome convention goers, students will depart early on March 21 since several contests begin at noon on Tuesday. The Meats Team, as well as Ag Sales, will see action that afternoon.

In addition to CDEs, those in blue jackets will experience daily highlights. Some of these include Patriotic Music, State Talent Showcases, Retiring Officer Addresses, and Keynote Speakers. For example, Dr. Laymon Hicks will present at the Opening Ceremony. As one of the leading Youth Motivational Speakers in the country, Dr. Hicks shares his passion and empowers his audiences to believe in their dreams and to “Get Back Up” when that dream stalls or hits a wall.

What Hicks calls his “frustrations, flops, and faults” are shared with audiences so that they recognize that pain, temptation, and failure are universal. Whether a person is facing challenges with drugs, alcohol, violence, stress, depression, bullying, peer pressure, self-doubt, or some other drama, Hicks shares his survival story and imparts tools for the trip out of those pits. He plans to tell the youth that any obstacle can be overcome by just getting back up and trying again. “Real motivation comes from within. From wanting more. From needing to do better. From believing you deserve better,” he claims.

A wide array of opportunities to interact with potential career professionals will also transpire during the convention.

The State Degree Dinner will be held on Friday evening with retiring state officer, Reporter Mackenzie Serrano presiding. When asked why he pursued a State Degree, Calvert replied, “I heard there was a big fancy meal at the end of this.” Frivolity aside, he claimed the process for earning the State Degree was not that difficult.

“We had to keep track of all kinds of activities and hours and income for the SAEs, fulfill requirements like attending at least five out of Chapter events, and fill out the forms,” explained Calvert. “But much of what I did work-wise is just part of my life and what I do.”

On his journey to earning his State FFA Degree, Calvert completed several Supervised Agriculture Experiences (SAEs). These included house moving, demolition, mechanics, and irrigation.

Although the second State Degree recipient from the Big Flat Chapter, Dakota Krass will not be attending the convention, she claims the FFA State Degree will be “cool to have” since her post-graduation plans include pursing a degree in Agriculture Technology and Small Business Management from MSU—Northern. “It will also look good on a résumé,” Krass added.

In completing the State Degree requirements, Krass performed several paid placements for her SAEs. These experiences encompassed summer employment in the areas of pivot construction, swathing, and greenhouse work. She also recalls giving a six-minute speech on Technology in Agriculture.