Warsaw FFA members are front row from left, Haley Archer, Valerie Messmore, Taryn Whetstone, Bailey Hanes, Ciara Stout, Madie Lane, and Reagan Rowland. In the back row, from left, are Abby Doberstein, Zach Howard, Ayden Ault, Morgan Smith, Jacob Baker, Hunter Lane and Allison Layne

WARSAW— The 89th Indiana FFA State Convention was held June 18-21 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafayette. The Warsaw FFA Chapter had 16 members competing in a variety of events and recognition. In all, there were more than 2,500 members, guests and advisors in attendance from across the state.

On June 19, 10 members from the Warsaw chapter competed in a variety of leadership development events as well as one member, Allison Layne, performing her talent for the judge’s reception lunch. Several members came away with successful events including Ciara Stout, second place, horticulture science and landscape management demonstration; Valerie Messmore and Bailey Hanes, fourth place, agriculture and farm business management demonstration; Morgan Smith, second place, plant and soil science demonstration; Abby Doberstein, sixth place, animal science demonstration; Messmore, seventh place, agricultural sales presentation; Hunter Lane, seventh place, job interview; Bailey Stutzman and Cora Ransbottom, fifth place, discovery degree plant/soil science, natural resources, horticulture demonstration; Haley Archer, 11th place, freshman FFA creed speaking; and Jacob Baker, 11th place, freshman extemporaneous speaking.

The Warsaw FFA Forestry Career Development event team was also recognized for its outstanding second place finish from earlier in the year. The members were Zach Howard, Smith, Taryn Whetstone and Jared Wolf.

The placing for the state proficiency finalists was announced on June 20. Warsaw had two individuals recognized for successes in their proficiency areas: Stout, second place, agricultural communications; and Smith, third place, diversified horticulture.

On June 20, three Warsaw members received Hoosier Degrees. These members included Lane, Messmore and Whetstone.

Smith, the outgoing FFA District Two president, presided over the District Two officer elections. Delegates from the Warsaw FFA chapter, Messmore and Reagan Rowland, also voted on official FFA business and district and State FFA officer elections for the upcoming year.

Throughout their time at the convention, Warsaw FFA members such as Madie Lane and Ayden Ault participated in workshops to help further develop their leadership skills. In addition, they were inspired by keynote speakers during the general sessions. These speakers included Josh Sundquist, a motivational speaker and comedian and Breanna Holbert, National FFA president. Warsaw FFA member Hunter Lane was also a state FFA officer candidate.

The 2018-19 Warsaw FFA officers were also able to plan and coordinate many events that will take place in the upcoming school year. The officers are Messmore, president; Rowland, vice president; Baker, secretary; Doberstein, treasurer; Whetstone, sentinel; and Layne, reporter.

Warsaw FFA members, from left, Cora Ransbottom and Bailey Stutzman present their horticulture demonstration to a panel of judges.

The 2018-2019 Warsaw FFA officer team is, from left, Valerie Messmore, president; Reagan Rowland, vice president; Jacob Baker, secretary; Abby Doberstein, treasurer; Taryn Whetstone, sentinel; and Allison Layne, reporter.