Montezuma FFA earns four state championships and host of top honors

     The Montezuma FFA Senior Ag Sales team captured a state championship and gold rating at the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 17-18, at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Maguire DeJong, alternate; Kallie Robison, Mia Boulton, Owen Cook and Colton Benson. Callie finished in first place while earning the top individual sale. Owen finished in second place overall and had the top test score. Mia finished in third place overall. Colton also played an important role in the team’s success.

By J.O. Parker
 
     The Montezuma FFA Chapter walked away with nine state awards, including four state championships, at the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference held April 17-18 at Iowa State University in Ames.
     The Farm Business Management team of Camryn Brennan, Cruz DeJong, Makenna Johannes and Madison Van Zee led the way by capturing one of the four state championships at state for the Montezuma FFA Chapter.
     Camryn Brennan was high individual overall in the career development event (CDE) competition with Cruz DeJong, Makenna Johannes and Madison Van Zee capturing second, third and fifth places respectively at state. Alivia Cline was the alternate.
    The Farm Business Management CDE is designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Farm Management. All the individuals who participated in the event each completed an objective test which had three sections: economic principles, records and analysis, and risk management. All team members worked together to solve a problem related to break even analysis.
Ag Conduct of Meetings
     Also capturing top state honors and a gold rating was the Montezuma FFA Ag Conduct of Meetings team. Team members Claire Erselius, Peyton Tindle, Brady Boulton, Broox Stockman, Luke Brennan, Luke Erselius, and Krista Cheney are headed to nationals. Lily Ferry was an alternate on the team.
      Teams participating in this CDE 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.
Senior Ag Sales
      The Senior Ag Sales Team of Kallie Robison, Owen Cook, Mia Boulton and Colton Benson captured a state championship title at this year’s state FFF convention. Kallie finished in first place while earning the top individual sale. Owen  finished in second place overall and had the top test score. Mia finished in third place overall. Colton also played an important role in the team’s success. Maguire DeJong was the alternate for Ag Sales.
     The Senior Ag Sales CDE is designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agriculture Sales. 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. 
Ag Impact LDE
     The Ag Impact Leadership Development Event (LDE) team won a fourth state title for the Montezuma FFA chapter. Middle school team members included Sydnee Burgess, Vivian Cook, Rett Pargeon, Analeece Kercheval, Leah Urfer, and Rylee Wolford. Alternates for the team were Easton Hudnut, Gracie Wilson and Letisia Wilson.
     Ag Impact is a LDE that challenges middle school FFA members to explore the importance of agriculture in our state, county, and communities. This event is designed to engage middle schools students in learning how the industry of agriculture affects their daily lives. Learning activities should focus on: agricultural literacy, career exploration, personal development, and integration of academics. Middle school students do not qualify for nationals.
Ag Career & Science Investigation (Ag CSI)
     The Montezuma Ag Career & Science Investigation, Ag CSI, wrapped up the state conference with a second place finish. Middle school team members included Addilyn Ver Meer, Marley Stowell, Abbi Henkle, Sophia Semprini, Olivia Latcham, and Lauryn Larmore. Isaiah Wilson was the alternate for Ag CSI.
      Ag CSI is a Leadership Development Event (LDE) for 7th and 8th grade Iowa FFA members  where they are given an opportunity to explore the diverse career options in agriculture. Ag CSI also challenges students to think creatively to develop solutions to future agriculturally related issues.
Ag Communications
     Ag Communications CDE team members Bryson Stockman, Brady Boulton, Ellen Cook and Elizabeth DeJong finished second at state behind Ogden FFA. 
    FFA members from 16 chapters participated in this year's CDE. The event provided students the opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of agricultural communications. The 64 individuals who participated in the event completed several activities including demonstration of skills and problem solving in web design, video production, journalistic writing, and opinion writing, as well as presenting a team media plan. High individual for the web design practicum was Brady Boulton. Elizabeth DeJong was named the high individual for the video production practicum.
Job Interview LDE
      Mia Boulton earned second place honors in the Job Interview LDE. Members participating in the Job Interview LDE had to demonstrate their ability in filling out a job application form, writing a letter of application, preparing a resume, interviewing properly, answering questions clearly, and presenting the proper impression.
Ag Broadcasting LDE
       Madison Johannes brought home third place honors in the Ag Broadcasting LDE. Members participating in this event present a five-minute broadcast as if they were a farm director or reporter for a radio station. This event is intended to foster an understanding and create an interest in the field of broadcast journalism.
Marketing Plan CDE
     The Montezuma FFA Marketing Plan CDE team finished in fourth place. Team members included Laila Kercheval, Madison Johannes and Jordan Ranfeld. Ashlee Eilander and Sam Bos were alternates for Market Plan.
     Participants had to develop marketing skills through the development and presentation of a plan that promotes a current or proposed product, supply or service.
Proficiency Area: Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication 
     Montezuma's Maguire DeJong was the winner in the area of Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication. Maguire had spent almost 600 hours working in Metal Manufacturing and Production by learning to do powder coating, plate burning, welding, laser cutting and much more. Maguire is producing metal parts of machinery produced by several large Ag Manufacturing companies, all on his own. He has learned to safely operate and use a number of machines for DeJong Manufacturing. Maguire plans to pursue a career in Industrial engineering in the future.
SAE Proficiency honorees
       Montezuma Seniors Maguire DeJong and Mia Boulton were also recognized for receiving first and second place in their SAE Proficiency areas. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career. Maguire earned first place honors in Ag Mechanics, Design and Fabrication while Mia earned second place honors in Ag Sales Placement.
Iowa Degree recipients
       Montezuma had five students who earned their Iowa Degree. They are: Mia Boulton, Owen Cook, Maguire DeJong, Madison Johannes and Kallie Robison.
      Three of the four state championship teams will represent Montezuma at the FFA Nationals, Nov. 1 - 4, in Indianapolis.

     The Montezuma FFA Farm Business Management Team continued the program’s winning ways by capturing a state championship honor and gold rating at the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 17-18, at Iowa State University in Ames. Camryn Brennan was high individual overall in the career development event (CDE) competition with Cruz DeJong, Makenna Johannes and Madison Van Zee capturing second, third and fifth places respectively at state. Alivia Cline was the alternate. Pictured are, from left: Cruz DeJong, Alivia Cline, Madison Van Zee, Camryn Brennan and Makenna Johannes.

​      The Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings team brought home a state championship honor and gold rating at the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 17-19, at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Hannah Garland, Montezuma FFA Advisor; Lily Ferry, alternate; Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Luke Erselius, Peyton Tindle, Brady Boulton, Luke Brennan and Broox Stockman.

     The Ag Impact Leadership Development Event (LDE) team won a fourth state title for the Montezuma FFA Chapter. Middle school team members include, from left: Gracie Wilson, alternate; Easton Hudnut, alternate; Leah Urfer, Sydnee Burgess, Rylee Wolford, Vivian Cook, Rett Pargeon, Analeece Kercheval and Letisia Wilson, alternate.

​     The Montezuma FFA Ag Career & Science Investigation, Ag CSI, wrapped the state conference with a second place finish. Middle school team members included Abbi Henkle, Addilyn Ver Meer, Sophia Semprini, Olivia Latcham, Marley Stowell, Lauryn Larmore and Isaiah Wilson, an alternate on the team.

​     The Montezuma FFA Ag Communications team finished runner ups at the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 17-18, at Iowa State University in Ames. Pictured are, from left: Elizabeth DeJong, Brady Boulton, Bryson Stockman and Ellen Cook.

      Montezuma’s Mia Boulton, left, earned second place honors in the Job Interview LDE while Madison Johannes, right, brought home third place honors in the Ag Broadcasting LDE. 

     The Montezuma FFA Marketing Plan team wrapped up the 95th FFA State Leadership Conference with a fourth place finish. Pictured are, from left: Laila Kercheval, Madison Johannes and Jordan Ranfeld. Alternates Ashlee Eilander and Sam Bos are not pictured.​

     Montezuma Seniors Maguire DeJong, left, and Mia Boulton, right, were also recognized for receiving first and second place in their SAE Proficiency areas. Maguire earned first place honors in Ag Mechanics, Design and Fabrication while Mia earned second place honors in Ag Sales Placement.