(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- The 78th annual National FFA Convention will be held in Louisville Thursday through Saturday, October 27-29, and nearly 4,000 Kentucky students representing 100 FFA chapters are expected to attend.
The convention is one of the largest annual youth events in the nation. More than 50,000 FFA members and guests from the 50 states and Puerto Rico are expected to attend this year. The convention's purpose is to conduct national business of the FFA organization and to recognize the accomplishments of FFA members.
The Kentucky delegation will be led by Central Hardin High student Devan Parrett, who is the state FFA president. Other state delegates include:
- Thomas Stevens, FFA vice president, Spencer County High
- Holli Parke, FFA secretary, Bourbon County High
- Sheldon Pence, FFA treasurer, Fleming County High
- Mary Jennings, FFA reporter, Lee County High
- Justin Smiley, FFA sentinel, Caldwell County High
- Margaret Mitchell, Green River state vice president, Henderson County High
- Miranda Stinson, Barren River state vice president, Franklin-Simpson High (Simpson Co.)
- Samuel Evans, Lake Cumberland state vice president, Taylor County High
- Jessi Patton, Big Sandy state vice president, East Carter High
- John Artis, Purchase Region state vice president, Heat High (McCracken Co.)
- Randy Adams, Lincoln Trail regional president, Nelson County High
- Kelly Jean O’Connor, Northern Kentucky regional president, Gallatin County High
One-hundred fifty Kentucky FFA members will receive the American FFA Degree at the convention. The degree is the highest level of membership that students can achieve. Criteria include:
- being an active FFA member for three consecutive years
- completion of the equivalent of at least three years of instruction in an agricultural education program
- graduation from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention
- operation of a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program
During the convention, Kentucky FFA members will participate in speaking contests and special activities:
- Amanda Cothern, Nelson County High -- Prepared Public Speaking
- Thomas Stevens, Spencer County High -- Extemporaneous Public Speaking
- Alesha Compton, Adair County High-- Creed Speaking
- Ashley Quiggins, Hart County High -- FFA's 100-piece National Band
- Kati Sheaffer, Walton-Verona High -- National FFA Chorus
- Megan Stout, Spencer County High and Sarah Kuegel, Apollo High (Daviess Co.) -- National FFA Talent Showcase
Thirteen Kentucky FFA chapters will be recognized for their ratings in the National Chapter Award Program, which is given to chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. Chapters that receive one, two or three stars have previously been rated "gold" chapters at the state level.
Two Star Schools
Bourbon County High
Breckinridge County High
Caldwell County High
Central Hardin High
East Carter High
Jessamine County High
LaRue County High
Meade County High
Nelson County High
Oldham County High
Three Star Schools
Apollo High (Daviess Co.)
Spencer County High
Wolfe County High
The Wolfe County High FFA chapter was chosen as a national finalist in the Student Development Division and will be recognized at the convention as a National Model of Innovation Chapter.
Several teams have been selected to represent Kentucky in the National FFA’s Career Development Events. These teams were selected after their respective performances during the 2005 Kentucky State Fair and FFA State Convention.
CONTEST CHAPTER
Nursery/Landscape Adair County High
Horse Judging Calloway County High
Parliamentary Procedure Carlisle County High
Agricultural Mechanics
Skills Central Hardin High
Agriculture Communications Central Hardin High
Job Interview LaRue County High
Forestry McCreary Central High
Agricultural Sales Nelson County High
Marketing Nelson County High
Agricultural Issues Nelson County High
Floriculture Judging Oldham County High
Environmental & Natural
Resources Oldham County High
Livestock Judging Scott County High
Dairy Cattle Judging Spencer County High
Meats Judging Spencer County High
Farm Business Management Spencer County High
Nine individual Kentucky FFA members will compete in national proficiency finals:
Specialty Crop Production -- Kristy Wethington, Adair County High
Diversified Ag. Production -- Bradley Henderson, Ballard Memorial High (Jefferson Co.)
Ag. Sales Placement -- Dustin Horne, Central Hardin High
Wildlife Management Placement -- Matt Adams, Central Hardin High
Fiber/Oil Crop Production -- Derrick Pike, Meade County High
Ag Mechanics/Energy Systems -- Anthony Waldridge, Spencer County High
Small Animal Care Entrepreneurship -- Candice Orm, Spencer County High
Equine Science Placement -- Rebecca Smith, Washington County High
Swine Production Placement -- Matthew Wallace, Washington County High
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