Thirteen Trenton FFA members were on hand at the National FFA Convention Oct. 24-27, in Indianapolis, IN where the chapter was recognized as a 2-Star Chapter in the National Chapter Awards Program.
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This program recognizes the top chapters in each state who then compete for recognition at the national level.
The Trenton FFA was recognized for outstanding improvement in the areas of community, chapter, and member development.
Specific events the chapter carried out to receive this recognition include volunteering at the local thrift store, promoting hunter safety, providing effective leadership for members and officers and increasing chapter membership. The National Chapter Awards program is sponsored by Toyota.
In addition to receiving this award, the members attending were proud to cheer for Derek Lowrey as he was recognized as a National Finalist for Dairy Production-Placement. Lowrey was one of four individuals who competed in an interview and selection process and while he was not selected as the national winner, he was chosen to represent FFA on a travel seminar to Costa Rica in June 2008.
Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excelled in Supervised Agricultural Experi-ence programs while gaining hands-on career skills. Dairy Production-Placement is one of 47 FFA Proficiency award categories offered at the local, state and national levels. Dairy Production-Placement proficiency award program is sponsored by Monsanto, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. In recognition of being a finalist, Lowrey received a plaque and $500.
Initially hired to help build fence for Wallace and Jacky Mack, Lowrey now holds a full-time position at the dairy. Beyond milking the herd, he provides medical treatment for the herd, maintains facilities, repairs farm equipment, feeds the livestock and harvests forages. He hopes to someday purchase his own farm land and expand his personal farming operation.
Lowrey is the son of David and Melissa Lowrey and his FFA advisors are Steven Rogers and Eric Hoffman.
Sarah Schroeder was a member of the National FFA Band, which performed during convention sessions and special ceremonies as well as during a parade through downtown Indianapolis.
Members attending the convention would agree with the sentiment that National FFA Convention was not only fun, but made an impact on their goals and excitement about the organization. Taylor Lynch, Sarah Silkwood, Emily Anderson, Kylie Russell, Justine Acton, Aubrey Utley, Justin Davis, Christian Fuller, Michael Slater, Zach Scott and Gregg Allnutt were selected to attend the convention based on participation in chapter activities and an application process. These Trenton FFA members gained a better understanding of careers in agriculture, goals to set in the FFA and how to interact professionally and meaningfully with other people.