SUCCESS AT STATE — NRHEG FFA members at the state convention May 1-3 include, front from left, Brittany Reese, Samantha Hogstad and Amanda Groskreutz. Back: Jarred Hanson, Jessica Stenzel, Ryan Schlaak, Bethany Stencel, Emily Riihl, Hannah Haroldson, Betsy Johannsen, Christian Stewart, Rachel Ledding and Erin Larson. Not pictured: Tara Simon, Matt Dahle, Sam Jewett, Shelby Mogenson, Hailey Johnson and Presley Johnson. (Submitted photo)
Twenty-two members of the NRHEG FFA traveled to St. Paul, May 1-3 to compete in various competitions and to receive recognition for accomplishments this past year.
The chapter had five teams competing for state titles. Of those, the Small Animal team did the best with an eighth-place finish. Bethany Stencel led the team with a seventh-place individual finish.
The Dairy Cattle Team finished 13th overall.
Both teams will see the return of most of their members next year.
The General Livestock and Soils teams each received silver ratings. Soils is the newest contest for the NRHEG chapter.
“It has been quite a few years since a team has come out of NRHEG, although in the past we have seen finishes as high as third in the state just 11 years ago,” said advisor Dan Sorum.
The Horse judging team took home a bronze rating.
The chapter also received their recognition plaque from Courage Center for passing the $120,000 lifetime mark in Corn Drive donations.
Four members took part in the State FFA Choir and State FFA Band.
Finally, the chapter saw their first State Degree Recipients in seven-plus years as Emily Riihl and Jessica Stenzel walked across the convention stage to receive theirs. The State FFA Degree is the second highest degree in the FFA and marks a significant level of dedication and participation by FFA members.
