CV FFA Members Find Success at 89th National FFA Convention

INDIANAPOLIS, IN—17 members of the Cumberland Valley FFA chapter recently returned from participating in the 89th National FFA Convention and Expo held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana. One team of students and one individual competed against FFA members from 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In order to compete at the National FFA Convention, teams and individuals must place 1^st in their respective contest at the Pennsylvania FFA Convention held in June of each year.

The Environmental & Natural Resources Team, consisting of Anna Pauletta, Mallory Taramelli-Dickinson, Abby Klinger, and Galen Witmer placed 15^th in the nation. The team had to develop a 10-minute presentation regarding a land development issue and also compete in various practicums including GPS navigation, water quality testing, and analyzing soil texture. Anna Pauletta took 1^st place individual in the entire contest and was awarded a $1,000 cash prize from the contest sponsor. Anna was recognized on the National FFA stage as the top individual during the 9^th General Session of the FFA Convention. Pauletta earned a Gold Rating individual rating while Klinger earned a Silver rating. Witmer and Taramelli-Dickinson received a Bronze rating.

Environmental and Natural Resources team members pose after the Awards
Banquet at the 89th National FFA Convention. Galen Witmer, Mallory
Taramelli-Dickinson, Anna Pauletta, and Abby Klinger combined efforts
to finish as the 15th place team in the nation.

Killiann George was selected to participate in the National FFA AgriScience Fair in Animal Systems—Division 2 with her research project on Farm Biosecurity. After an afternoon of interviews and judging, Killiann placed 10^th in the nation and received a Silver Rating.  Only 4 FFA members from Pennsylvania were invited to participate in the National FFA 

AgriScience Fair.

Killiann poses with her AgriScience Research
project entitled "Comparing the Effectiveness of
Biosecurity Practices."

Finally, Cumberland Valley FFA was presented with the 3-Star Chapter award during the 2^nd General Session of the convention. This award is given to chapters that complete and carry out a Program of Activities during the school year. Only 15 applications from Pennsylvania advance for national evaluation where applications are scored 1-star, 2-star, or 3-star. This is the 4^th consecutive year Cumberland Valley FFA has received a 3-Star Chapter Award, which is the highest distinction available to a local chapter.

Cumberland Valley FFA delegation to the 89th National FFA Convention in
Indianapolis, IN. Thanks for a great week of leadership development, friendly
competition, and learning how to TRANSFORM purpose into action!