The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter had a State Celebration on Tuesday, April 20th in the Sleepy Eye Public High School Gym. All five State FFA Officers were in attendance along with National FFA Officer, Artha Jonassaint, and the members who qualified for State.
Four members of the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter were recognized this week for earning their State FFA Degree. Pictured left to right: Morgan Hoffmann, McKenna Dockter, Kadon Strong, and Sophia Portner.
This year, the State FFA Convention will take place across two weeks, beginning April 18, 2021. The theme “Worth It” was focused on throughout the week and Sleepy Eye FFA members are definitely “Worth It”! They are worth every struggle, every success, every challenge, and every joy they feel throughout their journey in FFA. Chapter awards and events, workshops, sessions, team and individual competitions will take place during the mostly virtual convention.
Sleepy Eye was honored on Tuesday, April 20th to have the State FFA Officers and a National FFA Officer come to Sleepy Eye for a short State Celebration. We had the opportunity to meet and hear from each Minnesota FFA Officer as well as the Southern Region Vice President, Artha Jonassaint, from Florida.
Following officer remarks, the Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was presented with several awards. They included:
National Chapter Award – 4th place in the State
Model of Innovation Finalist – Top 3 in the State for Growing Leaders (Uplifting Quote Signs)
Model of Innovation Winner – Top Chapter in the State for Building Communities (Backpack Food Program)
Land of Service – 2nd place in the State
Ag. Literacy – Top Chapter in the State
The individual awards that were presented to Sleepy Eye FFA members included:
State FFA Degrees – McKenna Dockter, Morgan Hoffmann, Sophia Portner, Kadon Strong
State FFA Turf Grass Management Proficiency – 1st place in the State, Jake Price
State FFA Poultry Production Proficiency – 2nd place in the State, Adam Johnson
The State Officer Team also presented our advisor, Mary Hoffmann, with her Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame award plaque.
On Wednesday, April 21st, fourteen FFA members competed in the Best Informed Greenhand Competition. They included: Marcus Martinez, Kyle Capacia, Kadence Hesse, Lydia Huira, Brea Mertz, Kenndy Braun, Gaige Bauer, Logan Mack, Evan Thompson, Caden Evers, Austin Uecker, Jazzy Martinez, Natalee Nachreiner, and Isaac Lendt. The team placed 12th out of 27 teams. Isaac Lendt received a gold rating and was the top placing member on the team and Lydia Huiras also placed gold.
On Thursday, April 22nd, nine chapter officers interviewed with KNUJ about their experiences in FFA, school, and the convention. The officers who were interviewed by Jim Bartels and Larry Baumgardt included: Morgan Hoffmann, McKenna Dockter, Brennen Meyer, Maddison Helget, Carmen Lendt, Katelyn Capacia, Presley Bauer, Adam Johnson, and Leisha Martinez.
McKenna Dockter, Chapter 1st Vice President, was also selected and served on the 2021 State FFA Officer Nominating Committee. She participated in interviewing the State Officer Candidates and helped to select the six members from across the state to represent Minnesota as the 2021-22 State Officer Team.
The rest of the CDE competitions will be taking place April 28 – 30 and results will be announced by Monday, May 3rd.
The Sleepy Eye FFA has a lot to be proud of in 2021. The members worked very hard this year to qualify for their state competitions and with all of the service projects! Advisor Mary Hoffmann states, “I am so proud of 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 Service projects, these members show and earn success through their great work ethic and dedication!”