(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Kentucky students earned awards and honors at the 78th annual National FFA Convention, held in Louisville October 27-29.
Two students from Spencer County High won National Proficiency Contests:
- Anthony Waldridge -- Ag. Mechanics Energy Systems
- Candice Orm -- Small Animal Production Entrepreneurship
Other individual recognition included:
- State FFA Advisor Curt Lucas was recognized with the Honorary American FFA Degree, which is awarded to adults who have made outstanding contributions to the organization.
- Ashley Quiggins of the Hart County FFA participated in the National FFA Band.
- Megan Stout, Spencer County FFA; Sara Kuegel, Apollo FFA; and Susan Kuegel, Apollo FFA participated in the National FFA Talent Showcase.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, a Kentucky team won the National Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event. The Spencer County FFA team won the event, and the team is comprised of students Andrew Baird, Amanda Holladay, Tyler Poole and Levi Shanks.
Other school teams achieved honors:
- Oldham County FFA -- placed second in the Environmental/Natural Resources Career Development Event for the second year in a row
- Nelson County FFA -- placed third in the Agriculture Issues Career Development Event; placed sixth in the Agriculture Sales Career Development Event
- Central Hardin FFA -- placed ninth in the Agriculture Mechanics Career Development Event
- Spencer County FFA -- placed ninth in the Farm Business Management Career Development Event
Fourteen Kentucky FFA members received a total of $7,500 in college scholarships based on their performance in Career Development Events. One-hundred-fifty Kentucky FFA members received the American FFA Degree, which is the highest degree awarded by the national organization. Fewer than one percent of FFA members nationally earn this degree each year.
Nearly 4,000 Kentucky students representing 100 FFA chapters attended the National FFA Convention, which is one of the largest annual youth events in the nation. The convention's purpose is to conduct national business of the FFA organization and to recognize the accomplishments of FFA members.
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