WS FFA Members Bank “Truly Incredible” Experience at National Convention

  • Wessington Springs FFA Floriculture team made up of Carissa Scheel, Mercedes Jones, Anna Arhart, Alyssa Grohs and Mariah Messmer earned the right to compete at the FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.
    Wessington Springs FFA Floriculture team made up of Carissa Scheel, Mercedes Jones, Anna Arhart, Alyssa Grohs and Mariah Messmer earned the right to compete at the FFA National Convention held in Indianapolis, IN.
  • WSHS alumni and FFA member Austin Schimke was the recipient of the American FFA Degree this year in Indianapolis. Less than 1% of all FFA membership will ever earn their American degree.
    WSHS alumni and FFA member Austin Schimke was the recipient of the American FFA Degree this year in Indianapolis. Less than 1% of all FFA membership will ever earn their American degree.
  • Nine Wessington Springs Chapter members raised funds to travel and gain the experience of attending the FFA National Convention: Hayes Christensen, Logan Klein, Teagan Scheel, Hunter Heezen, Hudson Weber, Nolan Schaller, Ezra Anson, Ryder Roduner and Rylan Fagerhaug. Chaperone Christina Christensen traveled with the group.
    Nine Wessington Springs Chapter members raised funds to travel and gain the experience of attending the FFA National Convention: Hayes Christensen, Logan Klein, Teagan Scheel, Hunter Heezen, Hudson Weber, Nolan Schaller, Ezra Anson, Ryder Roduner and Rylan Fagerhaug. Chaperone Christina Christensen traveled with the group.

    A hefty crew of 15 students from the Wessington Springs FFA Chapter made their way to Indianapolis to compete, receive honors and experience the overall grandeur of the National FFA Convention.

    “We had 15 Wessington Springs FFA members who ended up in Indianapolis: five who earned the right to compete in floriculture, one who flew in to get his American Degree and nine who traveled to have the national experience,” said Wessington Springs FFA Chapter Advisor Brady Duxbury. “It was a wonderful trip and amazing to see so many kids get great experiences out of it.”

    After earning their ticket at the state level to represent South Dakota on the national stage, the Floriculture teams placed bronze at nationals and according to Duxbury, they competed well and took a very smart approach when it came to their scenario.

    “The team scenario was to present to a school board and convince them to get a greenhouse to advance their horticulture class. With the plants provided at the competition, they created arrangements and planters as visual aids for the presentation,” explained Duxbury. “They made simple arrangements and explained to the board that the greenhouse would help the students advance from making simple arrangements to more complex creations. I thought that was very smart of them to pair the arrangements to the scenario. The team did a great job.”

    WSHS alumni Austin Schimke walked across the big stage to receive his American FFA Degree, the highest degree an FFA member can receive in the National FFA Organization.

    “Less than 1% of all FFA membership will get the American degree. In fact, this year just 0.4% of membership got their degree,” explained Duxbury.

    A group of nine worked hard at fundraising to pay for their trip and attend nationals to gain that experience. In addition to seeing Temple Grandin speak, the group attended different sessions, toured a large dairy, DeKalb Corn and a milking goat parlor.

    “Thanks to the community and people here in Springs. We are so blessed to give these kids an opportunity like that,” Duxbury said. “It was a truly incredible experience and these students represented Wessington Springs well.”

     

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