Jones Senior FFA members experience success at 94th NC FFA State FFA Convention
TRENTON, North Carolina – 34 Jones Senior FFA members recently participated in the 94th North Carolina State FFA Convention, held June 27-29, 2023 at the Raleigh Convention Center. Jones Senior FFA members, under the leadership of Mr. Chris Hicks and Mrs. Mary Murphy, brought home numerous accolades that represent a stellar year of performance.
For the first time ever, the Jones Senior FFA Chapter was recognized as a Superior Chapter within the North Carolina FFA Association. This showcases the outstanding plan of work that the 2022-2023 chapter officers developed and how well the local FFA members implemented it. The National Chapter Award Program is designed to recognize FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality Chapter Standards (NQCS) and a Program of Activities (POA) that emphasize growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.
Middle school members, Russell Pulst, Presley Stallings, Alexis West, and Luke Jones were recognized during the First General Session for earning first place in the NC FFA State Exploring Biotechnology event. The team earned two perfect scores in the competition to make school history and bring home the state-winning title for the second year in a row. The Middle Grades Exploring Biotechnology CDE is designed to test middle grades FFA members’ knowledge of biotechnology tools, processes, and practices. Members are tested on their ability to identify biotechnology tools, performance on a written test, and their ability to perform a lab practicum as a team.
The Meats Evaluation team placed 12th in the State and 2nd in the Southeast Region in their contest. Team members include Edgar Peñaloza-Ruiz, Malik Toutah, Benjamin Davis, and James Wayne, Jr.
The Milk Quality Products team placed 22nd in the State and 2nd in the Southeast Region in their contest. Team members include Emilee Anderson, Tishonna James, A’niya Barfield, and Milo Long.
The Food Science team placed 55th in the State and 8th in the Southeast Region in their contest. Team members include Mary Grace Murphy, Jasmine Maldonado, Demaya Dawson, and Amber Elgar.
The Agronomy team placed 15th in the State and 2nd in the Southeast Region in their contest. Team members include Hailey Hetrick, Russell Pulst, Autumn Taylor, and Zaria Howard.
The FFA Quiz Bowl team placed 1st in the Neuse Federation in their contest. Team members include Luke Jones, Ahriyah Hall, and Presley Stallings.
Jones Senior FFA members were earned state-level recognition in eleven different Proficiency Award areas. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. The following individuals were recognized as Top Three winners in their Proficiency Awards areas:
• Zoey Cavallaro - Equine Placement - 1st Place (ADVANCES TO NATIONALS)
• Ben Davis - Landscape Management - 1st Place (ADVANCES TO NATIONALS)
• Mary Grace Murphy - Outdoor Recreation - 1st Place (ADVANCES TO NATIONALS)
• Malik Toutah - Sheep Production - 1st Place (ADVANCES TO NATIONALS)
• Noah Todd - Agricultural Sales Placement - 2nd Place
• James Wayne, Jr. - Beef Production Placement - 2nd Place
• Kaitlyn Crompton - Dairy Production Entrepreneurship - 2nd Place
• Edgar Peñaloza-Ruiz - Poultry Production - 2nd Place
• Briana Jackson - Small Animal Production & Care - 2nd Place
• Edgar Peñaloza-Ruiz - Turfgrass Management - 2nd Place
• James Wayne, Jr. - Diversified Livestock Production - 3rd Place
Fourteen FFA members received their Old North State FFA Degree during the NC FFA State Convention. This is the highest honor the North Carolina FFA Association can bestow upon its members and recognizes them for outstanding work in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Career Development Events (CDEs), and their community service efforts. Members recognized as Old North State FFA Degree recipients include: Jelani Hargett, Hajari Brown, A’niya Barfield, Zaria Howard, Skylar Dudley, Tishonna James, Dyana West, Noah Todd, Abigail Spence, Michael Meadows, Wyland Howard, Katie Almanza, Hailea Anderson, and Layna Shanda.
Two FFA members, Madison Aloia and Ashleigh Smith, were recognized as candidates for the American FFA Degree and make only the 2nd and 3rd Jones County students to ever earn the prestigious degree. Less than 1% of members, nationally, are selected to receive this honor. The American Degree is the National FFA Organization’s highest honor. These students will receive their American Degree at the 96th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana this November.
Mrs. Mary Murphy was recognized as a recipient of the North Carolina FFA Association’s Honorary State Degree. The purpose of the honorary degree program is to recognize individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the North Carolina Agricultural Education/FFA Program. The Honorary State FFA Degree is the highest honorary degree awarded by the North Carolina FFA Association and is presented at the annual State FFA Convention. Individuals nominated must have provided exceptional service to agriculture and/or the agricultural education/FFA program on a state-wide level.
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. If you have any questions regarding the Jones Senior FFA Chapter, please contact Mr. Christopher Hicks, chapter advisor, at christopher.hicks@jonesnc.net.
Jones Senior FFA Members
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