Charles City FFA members bring home awards from state Leadership Conference

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

It was a successful week for Charles City FFA members at the 94th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference, which took place in Ames from April 10-12. Charles City’s chapter was among more than 6,000 FFA members and guests from across the state gather to learn about careers in the agriculture industry, compete in various events, and shape the future of the Iowa FFA Association.

Brayton Quade and Lydia Staudt accepted the plaque for the Charles City FFA being selected as the Overall Supreme FFA Chapter in Iowa in the National Chapter Award Program.

The Iowa FFA recognized Brady Frascht as the State Winner in the Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award area, while Justin Heyer was recognized as the State Winner in the Turfgrass Management Proficiency Award area.

Drew Staudt was recognized as the State Runner-Up in the Diversified Agriculture Proficiency Award area.

Other teams bringing home awards were Charles City’s Activity Exhibit team of Anya Ruzicka, Alex Wright, Payton Hadley, Brooklyn Moliter, Abby Assink, Kylie Parsons, and Kylie Blunt, who received a Gold Rating. The Parliamentary Procedure Team of Maggie Boss, Madi Haus, Olivia Kreger, Taylor Quade, and Lauren Staudt received a Silver Rating.

The Chapter Program team of Josette Benning and Jada Litterer received a Gold Rating and were named the State Runner-Up. The Ag Issues Team of Lydia Staudt, Zach Chambers, Delaney Ruzicka, Lilly Luft, Kayden Blunt, Evan Salinas, and Jackson Ruzicka finished 5th in the State.

The Poultry Judging team of Colton Anderegg, Taylor Quade, Isabelle Vance, and Lukas Vance finished Sixth Place Gold in the Poultry Evaluation CDE out of 117 teams. Quinn Heidebrink and Jordin Ritter took the Greenhand Quiz and received a Silver and Bronze rating.

The Marketing Plan team of Olivia Litterer, Maya Bruening, and Natalie White received a Bronze rating, while Charles City Alums Gillian Anderson and Drew Staudt introduced retiring State FFA Officer Maddy Stevenson.

To wrap up the final day, senior members Lydia Staudt, Brayton Quade, and Landon Luft received their Iowa FFA Degrees, which is an honor only 5% of all Iowa FFA members receive. Chapter delegates were Shea Bell and Everett Schmitt.