News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — The 91st Indiana FFA State Convention was held virtually June 16-19.

In celebration of members’ involvement within Indiana FFA, “FORGE” served as the theme for the annual convention of the more than 12,000 Indiana FFA members. The Leadership and Career Development Event Awards Program recognizes excellence in leadership development. The program rewards FFA members for exceptional accomplishments in progressing toward specific career objectives in the agriculture industry.

FFA members develop and enhance their communications, critical and analytical thinking, decision-making, and presentation skills. Wawasee FFA members competed in four CDEs and three LDEs this school year and were state winners in the horticulture (Leina Helfers, Arrington Krull, Serena Lesko and Jack Stover) and horse judging (Leah Freeman, Gabi Sigler and EllaMae Reiff) CDEs. Evan Coblentz also placed first in the Leadership Ambassador LDE.

The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their Supervised Agriculture Experiences, have developed specialized skills they can apply toward their future careers. Students can compete for awards in 49 areas covering everything from agricultural communications to wildlife management. Award areas include placement and entrepreneurship.

Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization. Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization.

Proficiency awards are given out at the local, district, state and national levels. Emily Sabin placed second at the state level with her Landscape Management SAE Proficiency Award Application.

Each year, the Indiana FFA delegates also review the organization’s by-laws and elect district and state officers who will serve during the upcoming school year. EllaMae Reiff and Arrington Krull served as voting delegates for the Wawasee FFA Chapter. Evan Coblentz was elected as the 2020-2021 Indiana FFA state treasurer.

The 2020-21 FFA state officer team is:

President: Julia Hamblen, Shelbyville Central

Secretary: Kylie Schakel, Hamilton Heights

Northern Region VP: Blayne Vandeveer, Tri County

Southern Region VP: Loren Matlock, Eastern Hancock

Treasurer: Evan Coblentz, Wawasee

Reporter: Derick Williams, Union City

Sentinel: Luc Sproles, Frontier

The Indiana FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of more than 12,000 students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.