COLUMBUS – This year was the first year since 2019 that the Ohio FFA organization held an in-person State FFA Convention. For most members, this year’s 94th annual State Convention was their first. The convention was held on May 5 and 6 at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. The Utica FFA Chapter attended both days with Licking Valley. They attended the career show and many sessions, including ones honoring Utica members and the chapter. Three members participated in the state Ag Mechanics CDE. Kaden Baker, Wyatt Cullup and Aidyn Burgess put together a garden tool holder in the time frame of three hours and completed a test. They placed 12th in the state.
During the first session, the Utica FFA chapter received recognition for charitable giving. This is earned by chapters donating supplies to organizations. With extra fruit from its annual fruit sale, it was donated to the Utica Food Pantry. Later that evening, during the second session, Amanda Annett and other Ohio FFA members were recognized for their national wins. The second day, attendees visited the Anthony Thomas Chocolate factory. That afternoon, they attended the fourth session of the convention, where 2021-22 reporter Brianne Priest received her award for her Gold Rated Reporters book. Emily O’Hara and Kayelynn Sheets placed third in the state in the Animal Systems category, Division 4. Their question was, “Does saddle padding affect the body temperature of a quarter horse after 20 minutes of exercise?”
During the fifth and final session of the 94th Ohio FFA convention, six Utica members received their State FFA degrees. The State Degree is the highest degree an FFA member can receive at the state level and is the second-highest degree a member can earn besides the American Degree. Allie Burgess, Kenneth Davenport, Bella Ellis, Georgia Gamble, Montana Moran and Abby Paxton all received their State FFA Degrees.
Submitted by Melinda Wesley, 2022-2023 Utica FFA Reporter.
Captions
Convention Day 1:
Back Row L-R: Wyatt Cullop, Kaden Baker, Logan Scarberry, Kenneth Davenport, Abby Paxton, Maddy Scarberry, Aidyn Burgess
Second Row: Jacob Stretton, Wyatt Trout, Kayelynn Sheets, Hunter Finkes, Amanda Annett, Audrey Boeshart, Melinda Wesley, Emily O’Hara and Carlie Hill
Convention Day 2:
Back Row-L-R: Wyatt Cullop, Logan Scarberry, Todd Orr, Kathryn Ramseyer, Bella Ellis, Allie Burgess, Kenneth Davenport
Second Row: Kaden Baker, Abby Paxton, Emily O’Hara, Kayelynn Sheets, Georgia Gamble, Audrey Boeshart
Front Row: Sam Farley, Audrianna Wigle, Madison Cossin, Carlie Hill, Melinda Wesley, Brianne Priest and Montanna Moran
