Grinnell FFA Experience the Action picks up top honor at state convention

The Grinnell FFA Experience the Action all-senior team was named state champions, earning a gold rating at the 93rd State Leadership Conference, held April 19-20, at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines. Pictured are, from left, front row: Morgan Peak, Brianna Mouchka, Megan Mauss, Jenna Tuttle, Maddie Elliott, Kaia Hoffmann. Back row: Ashley Wolfe (advisor), Eli Rose, Jared Nickel, Ashton Hale, Jared Nickel and Ethan See.   Submitted photo.

by J.O. Parker

   The Grinnell FFA Chapter wrapped up the 93rd State Leadership Conference, held April 19-20 at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines, by bringing home a state championship honor and two other awards.
   Grinnell FFA’s Experience the Action (ETA) team earned state championship honors, earning gold rating. Team members developed an enthusiastic presentation that marketed Agricultural Education and FFA. FFA members on the ETA team included: Brianna Mouchka, Megan Mauss, Ashton Hale, Kaia Hoffmann, Eli Rose and Madison Elliott. Alternates included Jenna Tuttle, Jared Nickel, Morgan Peak and Ethan See.
   Grinnell FFA Team Ag Sales earned runner up honors at this year’s state conference, also earning a gold rating. Ethan See finished eighth-place individual while Jack Nickel finished in ninth place in the team Career Development Event. Joining Ethan and Jack on the team were Morgan Peak and Jack Nickel. 
   FFA teams from 63 chapters participated in this year's CDE designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agriculture Sales. The 250 individuals who participated in the event each completed an objective test, made a sales presentation, and performed a customer relations practicum. All team members worked together to prepare a marketing plan and make an oral presentation of the plan to the judges.
   The Grinnell FFA Conduct of Meetings wrapped up the state convention with a sixth place finish and a silver rating. Team members included Wyatt Eaton, Blaine Graff, Lexi Spooner, Ella Smothers, Sophia Louden, Andrew Peterson and Kaiden Brobst. 
   Teams participating in this event were composed of seven members organized to act out the duties of an officer team. Teams were required to perform opening ceremonies, demonstrate two parliamentary procedure abilities, and successfully close a meeting. This event aids in the development of leadership abilities of young members for present and future chapter activities. 
Other honors
   Two Grinnell FFA members served as voting delegates at this year’s state convention. Hayden Eaton and Oliver Louden had an opportunity to vote on next year’s state FFA Officers.
   “They listen to the candidates give a speech and then vote,” said Grinnell FFA Advisor Ashley Wolfe. 
​    Wolfe said each FFA chapter in attendance has two delegates who vote.

The Grinnell FFA Team Ag Sales earned runner up honors and a gold rating. Pictured are, from left: Morgan Peak, Jared Nickel, Ethan See, Jack Nickel and Ashley Wolfe (advisor). Ethan See was the eighth-place individual and Jack Nickel finished the day as ninth-place individual.          Submitted photo.

The Grinnell FFA Conduct of Meetings Team finished the state convention with a sixth-place honor and silver rating. Pictured, from left, front row: Sophia Louden, Ella Smothers, Lexi Spooner. Back row: Andrew Peterson, Blaine Graff, Kaiden Brobst and Wyatt Eaton.
​Submitted photo.

​Two Grinnell FFA members served as voting delegates at this year’s convention. They are, from left, Hayden Eaton and Oliver Louden. The two FFA members voted on next year’s state leadership.    Submitted photo.