State FFA Convention being held in virtual format again

■ Two FFA members from area wrapping up ‘20-21 as state vice presidents. PAGE 2.

Imperial and Wauneta-Palisade FFA members have been busy over the past weeks.
With the State FFA Convention being held virtually for a second consecutive year, teams and individuals have been completing their tests and practicums closer to home in preparation for this week’s awards ceremonies.
Many of the typical team events left out team activities and will rely on compiling individual scores to determine final placings.
Virtual state competitions for WP started March 21 with Mandy Sandoval in creed speaking.
Imperial FFA’s Lindsey Mendenhall and Alexis Richmond individually competed in natural resources March 22.
WP’s natural resources team members Kyle Jutten, Faith Burton, Chloe Stehno and Peyton Vrbas also competed March 22.
Imperial’s floriculture team had their test March 24, including identification, general knowledge exam, floral design analysis and problem solving/decision making. Team members are Courtney Odens, MJ Wallin, Remi Yaw and Markenna Terryberry.
Also on March 26, Imperial FFA’s Morayah Cupp, Kambree Meeske, Nick Rau and Richmond presented their marketing plan. The group advanced to the finals.
The Imperial parliamentary procedure team also completed its prelims March 26. After advancing on to the top four, the team did their virtual performance for finals at St. Patrick’s Parrish Hall in Imperial Tuesday. Team members are Kade Anderson, Carter Leibbrandt, Morel Jurado, Madelynn Hanes, Colin O’Neil, Elizabeth Reeves, Kayla Chavira and Peyton Dubas.
The next week the WP nursery and landscape team, made up of Peyton Cox, Chase Bryant, GraCee Goings and Aidan Kennicutt, had their tests March 29.
After completing their welding practicums by March 23, WP welding competitors Trace Bley, Garrett Hanna, Derik Kennicutt and Anthony Sramek completed their written exams March 30.
That same day, Imperial’s agronomy team, Wallin, Yaw, Kaden Schilke and Terryberry, competed.
The WP vet science did their tests March 31. Team members are Mandy Sandoval, Ryleigh McCrumb, Faith Burton and Peyton Vrbas. No team activity was held. Participants completed an exam and identification.
Imperial’s meats evaluation and technology team, Walker Mollendor, Jason Nelson, Michael McBride and Sean Heermann, also competed March 31. No lab practicum was held.
Livestock judging for Imperial competed April 1. Cupp, Jordan Jablonski, Michael McBride and Dubas participated.
Imperial’s conduct of chapter meetings team, made up of seventh, eighth and ninth graders, has also competed. Team members included Brooke Schilke, Mason Tyerman, Zach Herbert, Kylee Wiest, Bella Maddox, Jason Nelson and Walker Mollendor.
Also competing for Imperial FFA was Tyerman in junior public speaking and Cupp in employment skills.
The WP agriscience team of Trey McCrumb, Derik Kennicutt, GraCee Goings, Chase Bryant, Ryleigh McCrumb, Peyton Cox and Mandy Sandoval qualified but did not compete.
Awards ceremonies and other special events will be streamed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at neaged.org under the FFA tab.