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2022 Catoctin FFA Update

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Catoctin’s FFA wrapped up a busy summer schedule. In June, Catoctin FFA members attended the 94th Maryland State FFA Convention at the Frederick Fairgrounds, with 160 members across the state. This year’s theme was Pursuing your Passion!  

The Ag Sales Team earned a trip to the National FFA Convention in the fall by placing first in the state competition. This team researched different types of herbicides and fungicides and then sold products. Team members included Kendall Abruzzese (1st ind.), Cheyenne Van Echo (3rd ind.), Carly Ridenour (5th ind.), and Alyssa Costa (6th ind.)

Shane Milbourne, Kiandra Strickhouser, and Kolton Whetzel are members of the Ag Marketing Team. This team made a marketing plan for Red Dust Farms. The team placed first in the competition and will compete at the national level in October. 

The Ag Issues Team placed first in the state. Team members, Ella Burrier, Sheridan Chaney, Caroline Clark, Owen Cook, Abby Moreland, and Trinity Spidle researched lab cultured meats and created a presentation to inform the viewer about the subject. They will travel to the National Convention in the fall for competition.  

Dairy handler, Dallas Hassel, had to show dairy cows. She was judged on how well she showed the different animals and placed seventh in the state.

The FFA Knowledge Team placed second. Students took a written exam on FFA history and worked together to complete a team activity. Team members include Ella Burrier, Rianna Chaney (7th ind.), Sheridan Chaney, and Caroline Clark (4th ind.).

Trinity Spidle wrote a speech and answered questions about it to place third in the Jr. Prepared Speaking Competition.

Senior Extemporaneous Speaker, Kendall Aburzzese, won first in the state when she picked a topic out of a hat and had 30 minutes to write a four- to six-minute speech about the topic.

Annalise Aburzzese memorized the FFA Creed, presented it, and answered questions about the creed and her FFA experiences. Annalise was fourth in the state. Annalise was also named the 2022 Maryland State FFA Outstanding Greenhand (best first-year member in the state). 

Rianna and Sheridan Chaney earned bronze placings on their state proficiency application. Rianna’s application was for her beef project, and Sheridan’s application was about agriculture education. 

Twins Rianna and Sheridan Chaney were both awarded (separate awards) the “Domino’s Pizza LLC Scholarship” and the “LaCrosse Footwear Inc. Scholarship.” Upon graduation, Sheridan and Rianna will be attending Oklahoma State University for communications and public relations. Rianna and Sheridan Chaney and Cheyenne Van Echo each received the Griffith Scholarship Awards. Cheyenne will be attending the University of Maryland College Park majoring in animal science.

Kendall Abruzzese, Rianna Chaney, Sheridan Chaney, Kiandra Strickhouser, Cheyenne Van Echo, and Kolton Whetzel earned their State FFA degree. This is the highest degree our state can bestow to its members. Abby Kinnaird and Sierra Weatherly were recognized for being American FFA Degree candidates.   

Kendall Aburzzese was elected as the 2022-2023 MD State FFA president. She will spend the year with her team, leading and serving Maryland FFA.

On August 3, the Catoctin FFA Livestock Judging Team placed first at the state competition at the Carroll County Fair. FFA members had to complete a written exam, complete a team activity, judge eight classes of livestock animals, and give reasons. Team members were Ellie Baker (1st ind.), Peyton Davis (2nd ind.), Colt Sanders (4th ind.) and Luke Iferd (5th ind.).


The Catoctin FFA Livestock Judging Team placed first at the state competition at the Carroll County Fair: Ellie Baker (1st ind.), Peyton Davis (2nd ind.), Colt Sanders (4th ind.), and Luke Iferd (5th ind.).

Catoctin FFA Teams Bring Home Awards from National Convention

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Theresa Dardanell

Twenty-two Catoctin High School (CHS) FFA members, along with FFA Advisor Amy Jo Poffenberger, attended the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, this past October. They returned to CHS with multiple awards and recognitions. Over 67,000 FFA members from every state participated in sessions, workshops, and a career expo during the four-day event. According to the National FFA website, “The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.”

The Agricultural Marketing team, Maddie Godlove, Carley McGhee, and Alexis Morgan, earned the bronze award for their presentation on improving a lawn care business.

The Agriculture Sales team also placed bronze. Team members Robert Hahn, Maddie Krantz, Kaleb Mercedes, and Kiah Morgan researched RTVs and developed a sales presentation, based on customer needs.

The silver award was presented to the Farm and Agribusiness Management Team of Hannah Hartness, Tiffany Lenhart, Megan McIntosh, and Stephanie Moreland. Using problem-solving skills, the team answered questions about agricultural businesses.

The Horse Evaluation Team judged different classes of horses and presented reasons for their decision. The team of Tierney Monaghan, Destiny Snedegar, Mackenzie Henderson, and Sierra Weatherly earned the silver award. Weatherly, who was second in the nation for horse judging, received special recognition on the national stage for her achievement. According to Poffenberger, “Many FFA members never get that opportunity.”

Abby Kinnard won the bronze for Creed Speaking, a competition in which participants memorize the FFA Creed and answer three questions about how it reflects agricultural life.

Laura Dutton, Jimmy Kempisty, and Ty Lenhart attended the convention as Chapter Delegates.

In addition, Stephanie Kennedy, Nicki Millbourne, and Megan Millison received the prestigious American FFA Degree. Catoctin was also recognized nationally as a two-star chapter of the FFA.

Poffenberger said, “National FFA Convention is the superbowl of FFA. It is the time of year where members from across our nation come together to celebrate and showcase all of the hard work that they have put into contest, chapter events, and other activities.”

The Catoctin High School FFA Team

Catoctin FFA Chapter

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James Kempisty, Catoctin FFA Chapter Reporter

September is here, and with it, comes a new school year at Catoctin High School. I am pleased to announce that at our banquet on May 18, 2017, the Catoctin FFA Chapter elected eleven new officers. The officers are: President Maddie Krantz, Vice President Megan McIntosh, Sentinel Nate Schwartzbeck, Reporter James Kempisty, Treasurer Hannah Hartness, Secretary Sierra Weatherly, Jr. Advisor Abby Kinnard, Parliamentarian Robert Hahn, Historian Alexis Morgan, Chaplain Noah Barth, and Social Media Chair Savannah Stull.

Over the Summer, the Catoctin FFA Chapter had teams competing in nine different Career/Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE). At the 89th Maryland State FFA Convention at the Maritime Institute, Catoctin had twenty-one members attending and had two teams place first in the state. Catoctin has four teams and one individual representing Maryland at the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Ag-Marketing team consists of members Carley McGhee, Maddie Godlove, and Alexis Morgan. The Ag-Sales team include members Kaleb Mercedes, Robert Hahn, Maddie Krantz, and Kiah Morgan. The Horse Judging team includes members Mackenzie Henderson, Destiny Snedegar, Sierra Weatherly, and Tierney Monaghan. The Farm Business Management Team consists of members Tiffany Lenhart, Megan McIntosh, Hannah Hartness, and Stephanie Moreland. Abby Kinnard will represent Maryland in the Creed speaking Leadership Development Event.

Catoctin was recently recognized by the National FFA Organization as being a two-star chapter, meaning that Catoctin, as a chapter, participates in over fifteen activities throughout the year and goes well above and beyond minimum requirements set for FFA chapters at the national level. We will receive our award at the National FFA Convention.

In July, Catoctin’s officers attended the Region 2 Leadership Conference. FFA advisors and past state officers taught many new skills in communication, advocacy, leadership, and officer responsibilities. At the Thurmont parade, Catoctin FFA entered a float with the theme, “Going Hog Wild for the Catoctin FFA,” and was awarded first place for youth entry floats. We participated in the Rocky Ridge parade, too.

We are all very thankful for the enormous support the community gives us each and every year, and look forward to an exciting new school year.

Catoctin FFA Attends 89th National FFA Convention in October

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Megan McIntosh

National FFA convention is held every year and attracts FFA members from every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. The 89th National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 17-22, 2016. While at the convention, 21 Catoctin FFA members joined over 59,000 other FFA members. Throughout the week, members were able to participate in sessions, workshops, and a career expo. Also, members competed in Career Development Events, more often referred to as CDEs. To complete a CDE, each team (or individual) learns about their subject and rehearses their task in preparation for state convention. Every state gets to send one winning team per CDE to advance to nationals. Several CDEs are offered; this year, Catoctin FFAs Agricultural Issues and Agricultural Marketing teams advanced to nationals.

Catoctin’s agricultural issue team chose an issue they felt was relevant to their agricultural community. They then came up with an interesting way to explain their issue. The team decided to explain the controversy over raw milk in the form of a skit. Agricultural marketing choose a company and presented ways they could improve their business. Our chapter chose Vista View Farms, a new sheep farm. See below for Catoctin FFA results in these categories.

Three chapters in Maryland were recognized at this year’s convention. This is based off of an application the chapter completes to showcase some of their activities throughout the year. To qualify for the award, your chapter must complete at least fifteen activities: one for each of the five quality standards in each of the three divisions. Catoctin was one of the three eligible chapters from Maryland and was recognized nationally as a two-star chapter.

catoctin-ffa-delegates

Catoctin FFA Delegates: Madison Feltner, Carley Flora, Maddie Godlove, Robert Hahn, Shelby Hahn, Hannah Hartness, Mackenzie Henderson, Jimmy Kempisty, Stephanie Kennedy, Phil Kolb, Maddie Krantz, Tiffany Lenhart, Brandon Marshall, Ashley McAfee, Megan McIntosh, Nicki Milbourne, Zack Milbourne, Megan Millison, Stephanie Moreland, Jacob Shriver, and Savannah Stull.