(Jalei Marcy & Garrett Glines -2021 graduates) (Luke Kahl & Ryan Bickel -current seniors)
Chadron High FFA members earn a NATIONAL spot in the Farm & Agribusiness Management Career Development Event. After winning the March 2021 district Farm & Agribusiness Management, the above students competed in the Nebraska State FFA Convention and placed third. They thought that was it. However, in late July, the state FFA organization reached out to see if our students would be interested in representing the state of Nebraska on a national level as the first two teams had declined. Sponsors contacted the team (whom two had just graduated in May 2021) to determine if they were interested in competing. Their answer was a resounding “YES”. With thanks to Justin Madsen and the students coming in for evening study sessions, they took on the three and a half hour (300 question) test during Chadron High’s first day of school, August 17th.
Due to COVID, the National convention decreased qualifying teams. Therefore, the Chadron team (representing Nebraska) would need to score in the top 50% to earn a trip to Indianapolis Indiana at the end of October and complete the second round of the test. They MADE it! As a result these students are only the second team in Chadron’s history to compete at the National level. What grit, fortitude, and willingness these students have shown.
Next stop is the National Convention!
Submitted by Maribeth Moore
Chadron FFA Sponsor
