Three LCPS students representing FFA chapters at South Lenoir and North Lenoir high schools have won the right to compete at the national level after first-place finishes at the recent North Carolina FFA Convention in Raleigh.

Taking their talents to the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis in November will be Rachel Noble of South Lenoir in Prepared Public Speaking competition, Hannabelle Heath of North Lenoir in both Veterinary Science and Ag Placement and, also from North Lenoir, Sydney Whichard in Nursery Operations.

“Students prepared for weeks by filling out applications, attending practice and studying for their respective competitions and awarded area. They all put in the work to accomplish their goal of success,” Kimberly Chapman, North Lenoir agriculture teacher and FFA chapter advisor, said of her chapter members. “We’re going to nationals! I couldn’t be more proud of how much these individuals have grown and invested in themselves.” 

The three first-place finishes headlined a long list of individual and school honors reaped by the two chapters at the state convention, held June 27-29. Sydney was selected as secretary of the 2023-2024 North Carolina FFA state officer team and South Lenoir received the Superior Chapter Award, recognizing chapters who meet specific chapter quality standards in their program, school, and community and based on an application written by Adilee Rich in collaboration with Rachel Noble.

For Rachel, the trip to Indianapolis will take her back to the scene of a 2022 victory, when she was crowned the national winner in the Creed Speaking competition. The experience will help, she thinks.

“The competitions are two different things; however, having the opportunity to go the nationals last year does give me a little bit of insight into how the competition works. I think that will definitely help me out a little bit,” she said. “Also the support from my chapter will be a big help. Last year, we took eight kids to national convention and, being there, they were able to calm my nerves and help me practice before the competition. This year we’re fortunate enough to take 12 kids.”

Her speech – “From Sewing Clothes to Sowing Seeds” – addresses “the increased involvement in women in agriculture starting in the 1940s following World War II and how that has progressed into modern day,” she said. She’ll give the speech through multiple rounds of competition and answer interview questions from a panel of judges.

Rachel, who is president of the South Lenoir, Neuse Federation and Southeast Region FFA chapters, served as a voting delegate at the state convention along with South Lenoir schoolmates Adilee Rich, Anadela Rodriguez, Taylor Lane, Spencer Stocks, Kaylee Murphy and Cassidy Dumont.

As much as the competitions, students’ involvement in decision-making committees made for a “very successful” state convention, according to South Lenoir agriculture teacher and FFA chapter advisor Margo Harper. 

“Each of these experiences gave our FFA members the opportunity to grow their agricultural knowledge and develop themselves as leaders,” Harper said. “I am extremely proud of each of our students for stepping out of their comfort zone and representing Lenoir County and eastern North Carolina so well in their professionalism, leadership and service to others. We are appreciative to our chapter sponsors and Alumni Chapter for making this event possible for our students."

Among other South Lenoir honorees were Quinton Rouse, Taylor Lane, Brody Lynch and Emma Raynor, who all earned State Degrees. In State Proficiency Awards, Quinton earned a second-place finish in Ag Services and Grayson Sutton earned a second-place in Specialty Crop.