Sleepy Eye High School May Students of the Month:

Social Studies – Gaige Bauer – Gr. 12

            English – Envy Morales – Gr. 12

            Mathematics – Cadence Okerman – Gr. 11

            Physical Education – Wyatt Reinarts – Gr. 9

            Health – Chloe Okerman – Gr. 8

            Agriculture – James Moore – Gr. 11

            Career Exploration – Eleazar Gonzalez – Gr. 10

            Music – Ava Sellner – Gr. 8

            Science – Carter Lazatin – Gr. 10

            World Languages – Priscila Chuc-Feliciano – Gr. 12

            Careers – Madison Engesser – Gr. 12

April  2024- Students of the Month 

  Kdgn           Carsen Trebesch

  Kdgn           Evelyn Hillesheim

  1^st              Aubrey Hernandez

  1^st              Aaliyah Fuchs

  2^nd              Waylon Schauman

  2^nd              Keaton Evers

  3^rd              Natalie Neubarth

  3^rd              Harley Deree

  4^th               Jada Schauman

  4^th                    Cooper Fischer

  5^th              Miles Krzmarzick           

  5^th              Leslie Marquez

  6^th              Landen Thedens

  6^th              Kendall Haala

The Poultry CDE Team placed 1^st at State. Pictured l to r: Zack Dominguez, Leo Fernandez, Logan Ludewig, and Mateo Moreno.

Emma Fischer (left) was named the Star in Ag. Production Placement Region VI Finalist and Isaac Lendt (right) was named the Minnesota Star Farmer Winner at the State FFA Convention. They are pictured with Advisor Mary Hoffmann.

Alex Confer (left) was awarded the State Winner for the Agriscience Plant Systems Proficiency Award. She is pictured here with the award sponsor. Alex also won her Agriscience Fair Category. She advances to nationals in both categories.

Connor Mack (left) and Keeyan Netzke (right) were named the 1st Place Award Winners for the Agriscience Fair – Plant Systems Grades 7-8 Partner Division.

Seventy-two Sleepy Eye FFA Members traveled to the University of Minnesota Campuses and State Fairgrounds, where they participated in the Annual Minnesota FFA State Convention. More than 6,000 FFA members, advisors and guests from throughout the state gathered for the convention from Sunday, April 21 – Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

The Sleepy Eye FFA members traveled to Convention with Advisors, Mary Hoffmann, Katie Emmett, and Paul Hendrickx, Assistant Advisor Ben Seifert, SEPS teacher Nichole Voigt, and Alumni member Gracie Sellner.

Sleepy Eye FFA was named the First Place Premier Chapter in the State of Minnesota for the National Chapter Award while at the Convention. The entire officer team and advisors got to go on stage for this huge honor. This award is based on three categories: Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture. This will advance Sleepy Eye to Nationals.

Other Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter Results:

• Sleepy Eye was 3^rd in the state for the Land of Service Challenge.
• Sleepy Eye was a Top 10 Chapter for the Ag. Literacy Challenge.

Three hundred ninety-five agriculture, food and natural resources education students from across the state were awarded with Minnesota State FFA Degrees. The degree is given to the top members of a state FFA Association, and only two percent of Minnesota FFA members earn the distinction. It demonstrates the student has put an exceptional amount of time into their FFA experience, and has gone above and beyond in their local chapter and community.

The Sleepy Eye FFA members receiving their State FFA Degrees at Convention included: Courtney Brey, Kadence Lund, Kyle Capacia, Emma Fischer, Isaac Lendt, Winsten Nienhaus, Leo Fernandez, Katelyn Tauer, Nathan Rathman, Ellen Windschitl, and Marcus Martinez

Isaac Lendt from the Sleepy Eye FFA chapter, who has raised 400 hogs each summer on his family’s farm, was named the Minnesota State Star Farmer. His efforts have assured healthy pigs and allowed him to contribute $40,000 toward his college education. He plans to pursue pre-medicine in college.

Emma Fischer, Sleepy Eye FFA member, was recognized as the Star in Ag. Production Placement Region VI Finalist. Emma has worked on three different dairy farms as well as Schwartz Farms for her Supervised Agricultural Experience Project. She plans to attend Ridgewater College in the fall.

The Sleepy Eye FFA Career Development Event (CDE) teams and Leadership Development Event (LDE) participants brought home plaques and success stories after competing at the state level. Eight Sleepy Eye FFA CDE’s and LDE’s placed in the Top Ten for their competitions.

TOP TEN Results:

– Poultry – 1^st Place Gold Team (Leo Fernandez- 4^th Ind., Logan Ludeiwig- 10^th Ind., Zack Dominguez, Mateo Moreno): ADVANCES TO NATIONALS

– Soils – 3^rd Place Gold Team (Wyatt Feucht- 1^st Ind., Isaac Lendt- 9^th Ind., Oliver Trebesch, Winsten Nienhaus)

– Milk Quality – 4^th Place Gold Team (Megan Sellner- 2^nd Ind., Jaelynn Schauman, Carter Lazatin, Jace Schauman)

– Best Informed Greenhand – 4^th Place Gold Team (Ava Sellner, Ethan Evans, Makayla Strong, Santi Martinez)

– Dairy Cattle Evaluation – 6^th Place Gold Team (Rachel Portner, Jasmine Petermann, Jared Porther, Lucia Martinez)

– Market Plan – 6^th Place Team (Taylor Berkner, Hannah Meyer, Noah Rossbach)

– Floriculture – 10^th Place Gold Team (Elsie Trebesch, Lily Kallevig, Yanellie Fernandez, Jose Castorena)

– Creed Speaking – 6^th Place Individual (Camryn Maher)

In the proficiency category, the following individuals placed in the Top Three in the state:

Alex Confer – State Winner – Agriscience Research Plant Systems Proficiency (Advances to Nationals)

Logan Ludewig – Runner Up Ag. Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement

Isaac Lendt – Swine Production Entrepreneurship: Runner Up at State

Emma Fischer – Dairy Production Placement: 3^rd Place at State

We had several junior and senior high students participate in the State Agriscience Fair this year. These are the students who placed in the Top 3 –

• Agriscience Fair Winners – Alex Confer (Plant Systems Grades 10-12), Keeyan Netzke & Connor Mack (Plant Systems Grades 7-8): Advance to Nationals
• Agriscience Fair Runner Up – Kenedi Wersal (Animal Systems Grades 7-8), Karly Wendinger (Plant Systems Grades 7-8)
• Agriscience Fair 3^rd Place – Ava Sellner, Breanna Lopez, Mia Davila (Plant Systems Grades 7-8)

Other individuals participating in the State FFA Convention Activities:

State FFA Ambassadors:

• Chloe Howe and Noemi Rodriguez

State FFA Band Participants:

• Lucia Martinez and Anna Johnson

Our chapter also conducted a Service Project Workshop at the Convention. The service projects members from across the state participated in were making cards for nursing home residents and writing thank you notes to advisors. 40 members also participated in a service project on Sunday of Convention by setting up five contest sites.

The Sleepy Eye FFA has a lot to be proud of in 2024. The members worked very hard this year to qualify for and excel at their state competitions! Advisor Mary Hoffmann states, “I am so proud of our members! Being named the Top Chapter in Minnesota is the highest honor the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter has received at the state level. I am truly impressed with all of the hard work that the Sleepy Eye FFA members show on a daily basis! Through their efforts with CDE’s, their SAE’s, Ag. Courses, and Community Services projects, these members show and earn success through their great work ethic and dedication!”

By Alex Confer, Chapter Reporter

Elsie Trebesch is a seventh grader and has been involved in FFA for one year. Elsie joined FFA because she wanted to learn about agriculture and meet new people. Elsie is on the Floriculture Career Development Event (CDE) team. She likes the team because she gets to learn more about floral production, plant identification, and floral design. Elsie’s favorite FFA activity is the Junior High bowling trip. Elsie is looking forward to trying welding and building projects in the future. Since joining FFA, Elsie has learned a lot of interesting information about floriculture. An achievement Elsie made is placing second on the team with her CDE.

Emma Fischer is a senior at St. Mary’s and is in her sixth year of FFA. Emma joined FFA because she wanted to be part of a group and expand her knowledge of the Ag industry. Emma was on the Dairy CDE team. She liked meeting people from different chapters while at competitions. Emma’s SAE is dairy production placement that has consisted of working at three different farms over the past four years doing a variety of chores. Her favorite FFA activity is the Animal Carnival. This year, Emma is looking forward to attending State Convention and walking across the big stage. Since Emma has joined Ag. Classes and FFA, she has learned how to weld, communication skills, responsibility, and small engine skills. An award Emma is proud of earning is her Region Star in Ag Production Placement Award.

Taylor Berkner is a sophomore at Sleepy Eye Public High School and has been in FFA for four years. Taylor joined FFA because she wanted to learn more about agriculture, farming, and expanding her horizons. Taylor is on the Floriculture CDE team and enjoys making flower arrangements. Taylor’s SAE consists of growing, weeding, picking, and selling pumpkins with her sister and cousins. She is most looking forward to going to the State FFA Convention and expanding her SAE for future years. Taylor’s favorite FFA activity is the Lock-In’s. Since joining FFA, she has learned leadership skills and has been given the opportunity to make new friends. A couple awards Taylor is proud of earning are the Top Scholar Award and placing first regionally for her SAE in Vegetable Production.

Natalie Fulmer is a seventh grader at Sleepy Eye Public High School and has been involved in FFA for one year. Natalie joined FFA because she wanted to make fun memories while learning new things. Natalie is on the Companion Animals CDE team. She likes the team because she gets to identify different breeds of animals. Natalie’s favorite FFA activities are the black light dance and the fruit sales reward trip. Natalie is looking forward to attending Timberland this summer. Since joining Ag. Class, Natalie has learned about what FFA is and what it truly means to be a member. An achievement Natalie is proud of is winning her own FFA jacket.

 Kdgn           Juan Velasquez III

  Kdgn           Harper Borth

  1^st              McKoy Hansen

  1^st              William Ludewig

  2^nd              Julieta Munoz

  2^nd              Marvrik Saenz

  3^rd              Antonio Sanchez

  3^rd              Roberto Vazquez III

  4^th               Miley Zinniel

  4^th               Sara Seifert

  5^th                   Bella Eckstein

  5^th               Breckin Peterson

  6^th               Valentina Tovar-Garces

  6^th               Gabby Velasquez

The Sleepy Eye FFA 8th & 10th graders who competed in the State Agriscience Fair included: front, l to r – Connor Mack, John Paul Montemayor, Riley Voigt, Karter Haala, Keeyan Netzke, Braylon Nelson. Middle – Maddy Goldschmidt, Alex Confer, Breanna Lopez, Brianna Ziegenhagen, Camryn Maher. Back –  Ava Sellner, Karly Wendinger, Makayla Strong, Lianna Kimbrough, Kenedi Wersal, Ava Kunkel.

The Roland Peterson Agriculture Education Science Fair was held on March 7, 2024 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. The Minnesota FFA Association uses this invitational as the Minnesota FFA’s Agriscience Fair.  The highest-ranking FFA member or team of members with an agricultural project will advance to the national competition.

Our competitors for the Agriscience Fair competition included: Alex Confer, Keeyan Netzke, Connor Mack, John Paul Montemayor, Karter Haala, Riley Voigt, Braylon Nelson, Maddy Goldschmidt, Breanna Lopez, Brianna Ziegenhagen, Camryn Maher, Ava Sellner, Karly Wendinger, Makayla Strong, Lianna Kimbrough, Ava Kunkel, Kenedi Wersal.

The Agriscience Fair recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The Agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

Agriscience Fair Divisions:

Students can compete in the National Agriscience Fair as an individual or with a team.

• Division 1 – individual member in grades 7 and 8
• Division 2 – team of two members in grades 7 and 8
• Division 3 – individual member in grades 9 and 10
• Division 4 – team of two members in grades 9 and 10

Our students participated in the Plant Systems and Animal Systems Categories; Divisions 1-3. For the plant systems, this could include: the study of plant life cycles, classifications, functions, structures, reproduction, media and nutrients, as well as growth and cultural practices, through the study of crops, turfgrass, trees and shrubs, and/or ornamental plants. In the Animal Systems Categories this encompassed: life processes, health, nutrition, genetics, management and processing, through the study of small animals, aquaculture, livestock, dairy, horses and/or poultry.

The students did these projects as part of the curriculum for the Ag. 8 course with Mr. Hendrickx. The individuals and groups that were named in the Top 3 at state include: Division 1- Kenedi Wersal (Animal Systems), Ava Sellner (Plant Systems), and Karly Wendinger (Plant Systems). Division 2- Keeyan Netzke and Connor Mack (Plant Systems) and Breanna Lopez and Mia Davila (Plant Systems). Division 3- Alex Confer (Plant Systems).  They will find out the final results on stage at the State FFA Convention in late April. One group will advance to National Competition!

To qualify for the National Agriscience Fair students must:

• Be in grades 7 – 12.
• Conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture and food science industries and present their findings to a panel of judges with a display and a report.
• Be selected as the state winner at their state Agriscience Fair.
• Be selected as one of the top 12 in their respective category and division.

The Agriscience Fair is a great opportunity for students to not only learn about research skills, but also showcase their writing and verbal communication skills to judges with the in-person presentation of their projects. Good luck to all of these individuals!