The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter Team #1 placed 3rd in the nation out of 43 teams in the National Quiz Bowl Competition! Kayden Klein was 4th place individual out of 133 participants! Team members include: l to r – Alex Confer, Carter Lazatin, Kayden Klein, Mateo Hornsby, and Noah Rossbach
Lucia Martinez, Sleepy Eye FFA Officer, was a member of the 2023 National FFA Chorus. She sang with other FFA members from around the nation on the main stage of convention as well as at other special events all week.
The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter had 16 members attend the 96th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pictured L to r – front: Courtney Brey, Jose Castorena, Alex Confer, Mateo Hornsby, Noah Rossbach, Carter Lazatin, Kaydence Lund. Back: Ms. Emmett, Kyle Capacia, Marcus Martinez, Zack Dominguez, Kayden Klein, Robert Romberg, Andrew Ramos, Daniel Armstrong, Mrs. Hoffmann.
The Sleepy Eye FFA is so proud to have earned this honor as this is the highest award the chapter has ever received! Pictured l to right: Alex Confer, Mrs. Hoffmann, Marcus Martinez, Kyle Capacia.
The 96th National FFA Convention took place from October 30 – November 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In attendance were over 70,000 FFA members and guests from around the country, along with some of our own dedicated members. The city was encompassed with the colors of blue and gold as FFA members spread the message of agriculture. Members learned how to be successful in life and met many new members from across our nation.
Sixteen Sleepy Eye FFA members attended the National Convention, including: Daniel Armstrong, Courtney Brey, Kyle Capacia, Jose Castorena, Alex Confer, Zack Dominguez, Mateo Hornsby, Kayden Klein, Ari Krzmarzick, Carter Lazatin, Kadence Lund, Lucia Martinez, Marcus Martinez, Andrew Ramos, Robert Romberg, and Noah Rossbach. Ms. Katie Emmett and Ms. Mary Hoffmann were the chaperones for the trip.
Students were exposed to an agricultural based career expo, heard dynamic speakers, and were inspired by energetic and motivating general sessions at the largest annual student convention in the country.
During the Convention, the Sleepy Eye FFA was named a THREE Star National Chapter for growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture activities that the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter highlighted in their National Chapter Award application. Three stars is the highest ranking out of 1, 2, or 3 stars being awarded by National FFA. Noah Rossbach and Mateo Hornsby accepted this award on behalf of our chapter.
This year, the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was awarded a TOP TEN Model of Excellence Award! The Model of Excellence program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters from throughout the country that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities. Chapters are rewarded for providing educational experiences for the entire membership. Three chapter officers, Lily Kallevig, Marcus Martinez, and Isaac Lendt created a presentation to share with judges and were interviewed for this award in late September. While at convention, Kyle Capacia, Alex Confer, Marcus Martinez, and advisor Mary Hoffmann accepted the award on behalf of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter.
Thirteen Sleepy Eye FFA members competed in the National Quiz Bowl Contest during National Convention week. The Quiz Bowl Contest consists of taking a 100 question knowledge test on the history and current facts of FFA.
The National Jr. Quiz Bowl team #1 consisting of Mateo Hornsby, Kayden Klein, Carter Lazatin, and Noah Rossbach placed 3rd out of 43 teams. Kayden was the high scorer on Team #1 earning 4th out of 133 individuals.
The National Jr. Quiz Bowl team #2 consisting of Alex Confer, Ari Krzmarzick, and Daniel Armstrong placed 14th out of 43 teams. Alex Confer was the top scorer on team #2. The National Jr. Quiz Bowl team #3 consisted of Zack Dominguez, Andrew Ramos, and Robert Romberg. Andrew Ramos was the top scorer on team #3.
The National Sr. Quiz Bowl team consisted of Courtney Brey, Jose Castorena, and Kadence Lund. The team placed 35th of out of 68 teams. The top scorer on the Sr. Team was Kadence Lund.
Lucia Martinez participated in the National FFA Chorus while attending the convention. She auditioned this summer and was chosen by National FFA. She arrived on Saturday before convention to start practicing with the members from around the country. Lucia was able to perform with the choir at Convention Sessions and do special performances as well.
Along with the FFA Convention, members were given the opportunity to attend several tours in Indiana. The tours included: Exotic Feline Rescue, the Indiana Caverns, and Ozark Fisheries. The convention also featured a rodeo. Our members were able to get great hands-on learning experiences and opportunities while making lots of memories.
While at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, 15 of the Sleepy Eye FFA members took time to work behind the scenes at the KNUJ Media Booth. They assisted Jim Bartels and Larry Baumgardt in interviewing different FFA Chapters around the state of Minnesota about their convention experiences and FFA activities. Our members also interviewed on the radio about their own experiences and activities they are participating in for FFA.
We want to thank our Sleepy Eye Ag. Boosters, local businesses, and the Sleepy Eye School district for supporting our FFA chapter and providing the chance for our members to attend convention. Without your support, our members would not have opportunities like these.
Leimer – Kdgn: Alberto Velasquez
Rossbach- Kdgn: Valentina Walter
Braulick – 1st: Atticus Saari
Mathiowetz- 1st: Reese Braun
Weicherding- 2nd: Amilya Moldan
Arneson- 2nd: Ryan Dena
Sittig- 3rd: Yendi Trevino
Jensen – 3rd: Amelia Konkol
Hardin- 4th: Evelin Larios
Koerner- 4th: Isabella Seifert
Meyer- 5th: Elsie Weicherding
Hoffmann- 5th: Aubrey Kuelbs
Molenaar- 6th: Taya Bastian
Nelson- 6th: Desirae Torres
Four Sleepy Eye FFA Officers presented to the National Council for Agricultural Education at the Highland Park High School. Here they are pictured with Cheryl Zimmerman, National FFA Executive Secretary. L to R – Winsten Nienhaus, Chloe Howe, Cheryl Zimmerman, Noemi Rodriguez, and Marcus Martinez.
Four members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Officer Team presented to the National Council for Agricultural Education at Highland Park High School. Mary Hoffmann, Chapter Advisor, hosted The Council in Minnesota for the groups in person meeting.
As part of the meeting, The Council board members wanted to visit a school and meet Ag. students from Minnesota. The Council decided to have the group meet at Highland Park High School in St. Paul where Harley Braun, a previous student of Mary Hoffmann and now Ag. Teacher, is currently teaching.
The five schools in attendance included: Como Park, Highland Park, Humbolt, Mountain Lake, and Sleepy Eye. Each school was chosen based on its student involvement in Ag courses and FFA as well as their student’s diverse backgrounds.
The Sleepy Eye Chapter officers presented information on the school demographics, what the agriculture program looks like in our district as well as agriculture, FFA, and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) highlights. Katie Emmett accompanied them to Highland Park High School while Mary Hoffmann brought The Council members from the meeting.
Hoffmann is currently serving as the Chair of the National Council for Agricultural Education. This board is made up of people from across the country who work in all aspects of Agricultural Education from secondary to postsecondary and from state supervisors to Ag. companies, and many more.
Front Row: Jacob Fulmer 9th grade – Physical Education, Megan Sellner 9th grade — World Languages. Eleazar Gonzalez 10th grade – Art, Arianna Hernandez grade 7 – English, Chloe Okerman 8th grade – Music. Back Row: Emma Weilage 10th grade – Health, Jaelynn Schauman 10th grade – Social Studies, Leonardo Fernandez 12th grade – Career Exploration, Landon Wendinger 11th grade – Mathematics, Keeyan Netzke 8th grade – Science Breaunna Mertz 12th grade – Agriculture
The Sleepy Eye Poultry Team placed 1st in the Region VI FFA Contest in Sherburn on October 12th out of 11 teams and will advance to State Competition in April. Pictured here is the Poultry Team: l to r – Zack Dominguez, Logan Ludewig, Mateo Moreno, Emerson Johnson, Ari Krzmarzick, and Leo Fernandez.
On October 12th, FFA Members in four Career Development Events (CDE’S) ventured to Sherburn to compete in the Region VI Fall CDE competition.
The poultry team was the 1st Place Team overall and qualified for the state competition in the spring. The team consisted of Ari Krzmarzick (1st place Individual), Leo Fernandez (2nd place Ind.), Mateo Moreno (6th place Ind.), Logan Ludewig (7th place Ind.), Emerson Johnson, Zack Dominguez.
The Poultry CDE involves judging chicken and turkey carcasses, eggs, processed poultry, chicken parts identification, and taking a poultry knowledge test.
In the soils contest, members judge different soil profiles, and identify soil characteristics, including texture, depths, and erosion potential.
The soils team placed 5th in the competition and earned a trip to state. Team members included: Nathan Rathman (top scorer on the team), Isaac Lendt, Winsten Nienhaus, Wyatt Feucht, Caleb Suess. JV team members included: Oliver Trebesch; Elsie Trebesch, and Ethan Feucht.
The horse team took fifth place in the competition. Team members included: Millie Lax (top scorer on the team), Sydney Zarn, Cadence Kucera, Ellen Windschitl, and Cassie Muehlbauer.
For the Horse CDE, members judge halter classes, performance classes (western pleasure, hunt seat, English pleasure, western riding, western horsemanship, and trail), and also identify breeds, colors, markings, and tack.
For the forestry contest, members identify trees, wood, and tools used in the forestry industry; measure trees; take a forestry exam; solve business management problems; and use a compass and pacing to figure out the bearing and distance.
The forestry team placed 5th overall in the Region VI Contest. The team members included: Daniel Armstrong (10th place Ind.), Clark Lazatin, Kadence Lund, Courtney Brey, Natalie Fulmer. JV team included: Arianna Hernandez, Ella Arkins, Allanah Urbano, Kaylie Fulmer.
Good luck to all of the teams who qualified for State Competition in April.
By: Alex Confer, Chapter Reporter
Member of the Month
Nathan Rathman is a senior at Sleepy Eye Public School and has been involved with FFA for 6 years. Nathan joined FFA because he thought it would be a fun experience. Nathan is on the Soils CDE team and he enjoys his team and teammates. Since joining FFA he has learned how to judge soil. Nathan is looking forward to going to state again this year for the competition. An award Nathan had achieved and is most proud of is placing 3rd place in his Soils CDE at State Convention.
Member of the Month
Jasmine Petermann is a sophomore at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s and has been participating in FFA for 4 years. Jasmine joined FFA because it offers a lot of great opportunities to learn new things. Jasmine is on the Dairy Judging CDE team. She likes cows and the competition helps her learn how to choose show animals. Jasmine’s SAE involves working with cows at Olmar Farms and helping her dad at the Petermann farm. Her favorite FFA activity is showing cattle at the state fair. This year, Jasmine is looking forward to dairy judging and the crop show. Since Jasmine has joined FFA she has learned how to stick weld. Awards Jasmine is proud of are her Greenhand degree and this Member of the Month Award.
Officer of the Month
Lily Kallevig is a junior at Sleepy Eye High School and this is her 3rd year in FFA. Lily joined FFA to meet new people. Her office position is Student Advisor and her favorite part of the position is getting to interact with other members and meeting more people. Lily is on the Floriculture CDE team. She likes to make the bouquets/boutonnières and the identification parts of the contest. Lily’s SAE is working at SouthPoint Financial where she helps with transactions among other things. Her favorite FFA activity is the lock-ins. Lily is looking forward to going to State Convention this year. Since Lily has joined FFA, she has learned that agriculture is such a broad career field. The awards Lily has earned that she is most proud of are her Greenhand and Chapter degrees, and the Phoenix Award.
Officer of the Month
Winsten Nienhaus is a senior at Sleepy Eye High School and has been in FFA for 6 years. Winsten joined FFA because his entire family had been in FFA and it’s very inviting. His office position is President. He likes his position because of the people and all the things he still gets to learn. Winsten is on the Soils CDE team. He likes being a part of the team and going to state with them. Winsten’s SAE is Poultry Production, where he raises meat chickens and egg layers. He is most looking forward to the lock-ins and the officer retreats this year. Since taking Ag. Classes and joining FFA, Winsten has learned things like welding, cooking, public speaking, and people skills. Some awards Winsten is most proud of are the his National Poultry Award, being a Star Member, Freshmen and Junior Leadership Awards, and Sophomore Achievement Award.
Successful Trapshooting Season Wraps Up for Sleepy Eye FFA
The Sleepy Eye FFA members have competed in three Trap Shoot Events of the season at St. James, Mountain Lake and Sleepy Eye. There are 25 members on the 2023 Sleepy Eye FFA Trap Shoot Teams. Each week 5 teams of Sleepy Eye shooters attended.
St. James Results: Saturday, Sept. 9
Sleepy Eye places 1st in the Trap Shoot – Hayden Zarn, Brayden Suess, Devin Kunkel, Gavin Fischer, and Noah Rossbach are the winning team. Brayden Suess was 6th place individual in this shoot.
Mountain Lake Results: Saturday, Sept. 16
Sleepy Eye places 3rd in the Trap Shoot – Wyatt Feucht, Josh Sellner, Ari Krzmarzick, Logan Ludewig, Jared Trebesch. Ari Krzmarzick was the top shooter for Sleepy Eye for the day with being the 11th place individual.
Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club Results: Saturday, Sept. 23
Sleepy Eye places 2nd overall – Hayden Zarn, Brayden Suess, Devin Kunkel, Gavin Fischer, Noah Rossbach. Devin Kunkel was 6th place individual.
Trap shooting is one of the three major forms of competitive clay pigeon shooting. The objective of the trap shooting team is to involve students in the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, ethical behavior, along with safe and responsible use of firearms. The program also helps members develop self-confidence, personal discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork.
The trap shooting events were a success for the Sleepy Eye FFA team. The team is sponsored by the Sleepy Eye Sportsman’s Club, Darfur Sportsman’s Club, Brown County Pheasants Forever, and the MDHA Sunrise Chapter. They sponsored shooting registration fees, team T-shirts/sweatshirts, and trap loads. Their support is much appreciated by the team members.
Congrats Queen Kadence Hesse and Kyle Capacia. Rest of court (from left) Hadlee Hansen, Brea Mertz, Winsten Nienhaus, Madison Engesser, Isaac Lendt, Bryent Finstad, Jazzi Martinez, Austin Uecker, Lydia Huiras, Trygve Coulson.
