Montezuma FFA earns six state championships, two runner up honors

Michael DeJong was the recipient of the FFA Star in Agriculture Placement, the highest award given to an FFA member in Iowa, at the 93rd FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 19-20, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Michael is joined by Montezuma FFA Advisor Rick Swenson. Michael also earned top individual honors in Ag Engineering and received runner up honors in the Job Interview category. ​   Submitted photo.

​by J.O. Parker
 
   The Montezuma FFA Chapter earned six state championships, two state runner-up honors, two fourth place honors and Michael DeJong was the recipient of the FFA Star in Agriculture Placement, the highest award given to an FFA member in Iowa.
   It all took place at the 93rd FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 19-20, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
   The Montezuma FFA Farm Business Management team continued its winning tradition, which dates back to 1994, bringing home a state championship and a gold rating while punching the team’s ticket to FFA Nationals, Oct. 27 – 30, in Indianapolis.
   Montezuma won the contest by 136 points and scored 472 points out of 500 possible… which is a new state record for the highest team score in this competition. In addition, Brayden Stockman was top individual in the career development event (CDE) and his teammates, Michael DeJong, Haylie Moore and Matthew Ranfeld, followed suit, finishing two, three and four, respectively. Alternates Korrin Kehoe, Jaemi Hartman and Sawyer Tindle also played a role in the team’s success.
   FFA teams from 93 chapters participated in this year’s Farm Business Management CDE designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of farm management. The 332 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.
   Also earning top state honors and a gold rating was the Montezuma FFA Ag Communications team. Elise Boulton, MJ Johannes and Abby Pope, along with alternates Maguire DeJong, Owen Cook, Kallie Robison and Abby Cheney, led the way for Montezuma, capturing a spot at nationals.
   FFA members from 14 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 communication. The 56 individuals who participated in this 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.
   Dylan Holland, Ashlyn Huff and Gavin Tindle captured top state honors in the FFA Marketing Plan category and a gold rating. Participants had to develop marketing skills through the development and presentation of a plan that promotes a current or proposed product, supply or service. The trio focused on the Tindle Kids Boar Goats business, developing a marketing plan on how to sell more goats.
   Top individual honors went to Elise Boulton, Ag Sales Placement; and Michael DeJong, Ag Engineering.
   The Ag Impact team, comprising of Ellen Cook, Kylee Larmore, Elizabeth DeJong, Ava Pargeon, Taylor Wickham and Emily James, wrapped up the day with a state championship.
    This CDE is designed to engage middle school 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. 
      The Montezuma FFA Ag CSI team brought home runner up honors and a gold rating. Team members included Broox Stockman, Luke Erselius, Claire Erselius, Brady Boulton, Peyton Tindle and Krista Cheney. The Ag Career and Science Investigation is a CDE that challenges middle school FFA members to explore the diverse career options in agriculture. Ag CSI also challenges students to think creatively to develop solutions to future agriculturally related issues.
     Michael DeJong earned runner up honors in the Job Interview category and Elise Boulton wrapped up her FFA Career at Montezuma with a fourth-place finish in the Radio Broadcasting category.
     The Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings team earned a fourth-place finish and gold rating at this year’s state conference. Team members included Lydia Singleton, Makenna Johannes, Alivia Cline, Ashlee Eilander, Madison VanZee, Laila Kercheval and Camryn Brennan. 
     The 12 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. 

Other awards

​Iowa Degree recipients
     Montezuma had eight students who earned their Iowa Degree. They are: Elise Boulton, Alex Cheney, Alyssa Cline, Michael DeJong, Dylan Holland, Ashlyn Huff, Brayden Stockman and Gavin Tindle.

​Ambassador Award
    The Montezuma FFA program was recognized with the Ambassador Award. The award recognizes FFA chapters for their assistance in promoting FFA and support of FFA through the Foundation. 
   Throughout the year, chapters earn points in four specific categories – number of hours volunteering to support Iowa FFA and the Iowa FFA Foundation (50 points for each hour the chapter volunteers), amount of sales of Iowa FFA Foundation limited edition items (one point for each dollar of items sold), any donations and in-kind contributions made to support FFA through the Iowa FFA Foundation (one point for each dollar/value donated) and finally any donations from individuals in their community who have designated the chapter as their points recipient (one point for each dollar donated).
   “Once all of these areas are calculated, they are combined to be awarded a Bronze, Silver, Gold or $1,000+ level,” noted Josh Remington, Executive Director, Iowa FFA Foundation. “In addition, one winner is announced from each of Iowa FFA’s six districts – from these six district winners, the overall state winner is awarded, and the 2021 state winner is the Montezuma FFA Chapter.”

Gavin Tindle, Dylan Holland and Ashlyn Huff are joined by Montezuma FFA Advisor Rick Swenson following the team’s state championship win in the Marketing Plan category. The trio had to develop marketing skills through the development and presentation of a plan that promotes a current or proposed product, supply or service. The trio focused on the Tindle Kids Boar Goats business, developing a marketing plan on how to sell more goats.  
​Submitted photo.

Montezuma FFA member Elise Boulton earned top individual honors in Ag Sales Placement. She was also part of the state champion Ag Communication Team at this year’s convention. Elise took on a new challenge this year, competing in the radio broadcasting category where she earned a fourth-place honor.   Submitted photo.

​The Montezuma FFA Farm Business Management Team captured a state championship honor and gold rating at this year’s state convention. Team member Braydon Stockman was top individual in the career development event (CDE) and his teammates, Michael DeJong, Haylie Moore and Matthew Ranfeld, followed suit, finishing two, three and four, respectively. The team also scored 472 out of 500 possible points, a state record and highest team score in the competition. Pictured are, from left, Jaemi Hartman, alternate; Matthew Ranfeld, Sawyer Tindle, alternate; Korrin Kehoe, alternate; Michael DeJong, Braydon Stockman and Haylie Moore.   Submitted photo.

The Montezuma FFA Ag Communication Team was one of six teams who brought home championship honors at the 93rd FFA State Leadership Conference, held April 19-20, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. Pictured are, from left: Owen Cook, Maguire DeJong, Elise Boulton, Abby Pope, MJ Johannes, Mia Boulton, Kallie Robison and Abby Cheney.  
​Submitted photo.

​The Montezuma FFA Conduct of Meetings Team finished the state convention with a fourth-place honor and gold rating. Pictured, from left: Lydia Singleton, Ashlee Eilander, Alivia Cline, Madison VanZee, Camryn Brennan, Makenna Johannes and Laila Kercheval.   Submitted photo.

Montezuma’s FFA AG Impact Team comprised of middle school students earned top honors at this year’s state convention. Pictured are, from left: Ava Pargeon, Ellen Cook, Elizabeth DeJong, Emily James, Taylor Wickham and Kylee Larmore.   Submitted photo.

Montezuma’s FFA AG Impact Team comprised of middle school students earned top honors at this year’s state convention. Pictured are, from left: Emily James, Ava Pargeon, Kylee Larmore, Taylor Wickham, Ellen Cook and Elizabeth DeJong. ​   Submitted photo.

The Montezuma FFA CSI Team comprised of middle school students earned runner up honors and a gold rating at this year’s convention. Pictured are, from left, Peyton Tindle, Brady Boulton, Krista Cheney, Claire Erselius, Luke Erselius and Broox Stockman.   Submitted photo.