Maywood’s FFA Aspires to Pinnacle at Nebraska State FFA Convention
By: Bryar Gerlach
On Wednesday, April 8th the Maywood FFA Chapter made the long trek down to Lincoln, Nebraska for the 87th Annual State FFA Convention. Although, the grass was wet with dew, and overcast weather filled up the cloudy sky, this setting didn’t seem to hinder the mood of any of the FFA members as they were excited and anxious to get to their destination. A chance to get to the State Convention is what the FFA kids have been striving for this whole year. Whether or not they realize it, the group of Maywood FFA members that attended the 2015 Nebraska State FFA Convention, made history. They were the first group of Maywood FFA members to attend the Opening Ceremonies in the Pinnacle Bank Arena. Many FFA members would agree that it was a surreal experience to be in Lincoln for only three short days. The new people that you get a chance to meet, the college recruiting booths, and the many food stands, all make for a memorable experience. But nothing would compare to the sights and sounds that encompassed Pinnacle Bank Arena as thousands of fellow Nebraska FFA members, dressed in the memorable corduroy jacket, filled the “sea of red” with national blue and corn gold. The Maywood FFA members proudly represented their community as they competed in multiple events.
The freshman FFA members that competed in the Agriscience competition received a blue ribbon as a team. That team consisted of Paul White, Von Frtische, Amanda Smith, and Kayla Minary. Individually Amanda Smith received a blue ribbon along with Paul White and Von Fritsche, who both received purples. Marisa Foster received a blue ribbon in the Floriculture competition. The Floriculture team consisted of Marisa Foster, Bailey Brown, Hope Stone and Grace Koubek. The Jr. Livestock Evaluation team, which consisted of Bryar Gerlach, Tucker Hartley, Amanda Smith and Kaely Perkins, received a red ribbon as a team. Individually Bryar Gerlach received a blue ribbon; Tucker Hartley received a red ribbon; and Amanda Smith received a white ribbon. In the Nursery and Landscape competition, BreAnna Kahler received a white ribbon, as well as Marisa Foster receiving a blue ribbon. That team consisted of Bailey Brown, Grace Koubek, Marisa Foster and BreAnna Kahler. For all the competitions that take place at the State Convention, the participants that place in the top 50% all receive a ribbon. The top 10% of participants receive a purple ribbon, and the next 15% of participants receive a blue. The participants that placed in the 25% to 40% range, receive a red ribbon, and participants that placed between the 40%-50% range receive a white ribbon. Each contest had at least 36 teams and over 144 individuals participated in each contest. If you happen to see any of these FFA members please congratulate them for their hard work, dedication, and success that they have had this year in the Maywood FFA program.
