Nineteen Riverton Parke FFA members traveled to Purdue University June 19 - 22 for the 94th Indiana FFA State Convention. The theme for this year’s convention was ‘Rooted.’ Their time at the State Convention started with members competing in the State Leadership Development Events (LDEs) on Tuesday at Benton Central High School. Members who competed included: Jaydon Shaffer (Discovery Creed Speaking), Jack Harrah (Ag Sales), Collin Watson (Employment Skills), and Abbie Roderick and Natalie Pruitt (Multimedia Scrapbook). Tuesday evening, members attended the First General Session in Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University. During this session, the Riverton Parke FFA Chapter was recognized as a ‘2023 Top Ten Chapter Donor’ through donations made to the Indiana FFA Foundation. Jack Harrah and Kenzie Mundell represented the chapter to accept the award on stage. Members also heard a retiring address from the State Northern Region Vice President, Mary Jones, and a keynote from the National FFA Central Region Vice President, Karstyn Cantrell during this session. Wednesday morning began by attending the Second General Session where the Livestock Skillathon team was recognized on stage for placing 3rd overall in the state contest this past fall. Members of the skillathon team included Sarah Brown, Sophie Sanders, Jack Harrah, and Katilynn Koch. Tobias Sturgell, State Secretary, gave his retiring address during this session as well. After this session, members had the opportunity to attend a leadership workshop to help develop their skills to bring back to our chapter. Chapter delegates attended a delegate business session then participated in Section Director and District Officer elections. Sarah Brown and Jack Harrah represented Riverton Parke as the chapter delegates. During the Third General Session, members heard the retiring address of the State Sentinel, Jaden Maze, and Katilynn Koch was recognized on stage as placing 3rd overall for her Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency. The last session, the Fourth General Session, was the Hoosier Degree Session. Jenna Kelsay, the State Southern Region Vice President, gave her retiring address before Hoosier Degrees were awarded. Sarah Brown and Collin Watson both received their Hoosier Degrees at this year’s convention. The Hoosier Degree is the highest degree awarded at the state level. Wednesday night ended with Riverton Parke FFA members dancing the night away with other FFA members from across the state at the FFA Dance. Thursday morning, members finally heard results from the State LDE Contest on Monday during the Fifth General Session. Collin Watson placed in the Top 4 for the Employment Skills Contest and found out live, on stage, that he placed 3rd overall in the state. Also during this session, Corey Flournoy was the keynote speaker for the morning, and Gracie Lee, State Reporter, gave her retiring address. The trip to the 94th Indiana FFA State Convention was concluded by attending the last general session. During this session, members heard the retiring address from the State President, Seth Ariens. Seth is a graduate from the North Putnam FFA Chapter here in District VII. Sarah Brown and Jack Harrah participated in the second delegate business session which included voting on the new 2023-2024 Indiana FFA State Officer Team. The Riverton Parke FFA Advisors are Micah Humphreys and Michaela Woods.
Pictured at the 94th Indiana FFA State Convention includes; front row (left to right): Abbie Roderick, Mary Pruitt, Emily Adams, Mary-Claire Featherling, Kenzie Mundell, Emma Ugoletti, Dawn Koester, Natalie Pruitt; second row: Sophie Sanders, Mya Kenley, Jaydon Shaffer, Sarah Brown, Katilynn Koch, Tulie Boyle, Jase Martin, Jack Harrah; third row: Collin Watson, Joel Harrah, and Daniel Valdes.