Learn by Doing: Wyoming FFA members attend annual state convention
Over 1,400 Wyoming FFA members from across the state convened in Cheyenne April 19-22 to compete for titles in career development events ranging from veterinary science to public speaking, participate in leadership workshops and vie for a spot on the association’s leadership team.
The annual event is hosted each year to determine which of Wyoming’s 60 chapters will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., celebrate the accomplishments of FFA members throughout the year and select new state officers.
Wyoming FFA Association Advisor Stacy Broda shared, “This year’s Wyoming FFA State Convention had a great turn out, and it was enjoyable to see the upcoming leaders of Wyoming’s agriculture industry hard at work.”
Following the first day of youth contests, the event kicked off with a welcome dinner hosted by the Wyoming FFA Foundation.
“2023 has been an exciting year,” said Wyoming FFA Foundation Executive Director Oaklee Gilliland. “Because of increased numbers at convention, the foundation has increased their support of the event. We loved seeing all of the students, advisors and guests in attendance.”
In addition to supporting the event, the Wyoming FFA Foundation, in conjunction with their college partners, gave away over $30,000 in scholarships to Wyoming FFA members.
New chapters
In 2023, two new junior high school chapters were chartered. Horse Creek FFA and Prairie View FFA, both of Cheyenne, attended with 14 and 11 members, respectively.
Megan Barton, the chartering advisor of both chapters, said, “It’s been a rewarding experience introducing agriculture and FFA to my students. The passion and drive they have for FFA has been incredible to watch, especially with it being a fairly new concept for some.”
“Their excitement and dedication motivate me to continue to offer them new experiences and challenge them along the way,” she continued. “I am excited to see the growth in not only the chapters but the students in the coming years.”
Junior high members of the Horse Creek and Prairie View FFA participated in livestock judging, poultry judging, horse judging and the FFA knowledge event – the Greenhand Quizbowl.
2023-24 State Officer Team
Throughout the week of the convention, a set of the state’s top youth leaders in agriculture interviewed to lead the organization. On April 22, a new team of student officers was elected to serve as the Wyoming FFA State Officer Team.
The new team includes President Larkin Williams of the Rawhide FFA, Vice President Karina Mysse of the Buffalo FFA, Second Vice President Kinley Anderson of the Ten Sleep FFA, Third Vice President Caytlin Heatherington of the Cheyenne Frontier FFA, Secretary Sonja Post of the Shoshoni FFA, Treasurer Brand Terrell of the Gillette FFA, Reporter Afton Stewart of the Casper FFA, Sentinel Jackson Hill of the Riverton FFA and Parliamentarian Harper Pollock of the Casper FFA.
“The state FFA officers serve as the face of the Wyoming FFA Association,” said Broda. “Throughout their year of service, they will represent Wyoming FFA at local, state and national events as well as conduct leadership workshops and serve as ambassadors for agriculture and youth leadership.”
Upon her election as the new Wyoming FFA president, Williams said, “My week at convention was a whirlwind of networking, competing and interviewing. I am so fortunate, and this year, this team and this association already mean so much to me.”
Williams shared she is excited to create lifelong connections and friendships with her fellow state officers as well as all of the chapter members they will get to interact with around the state during their year of service.
Averi Reynolds is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
