Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Despite New State Alignments Newark FFA Chapter Remains One of Illinois Top Chapters


After a year of changes, the Newark FFA Chapter ranked second in state again this year, making the Newark FFA Chapter on e of the top FFA Chapters in the state. Newark has been 2nd in state nine out of the last 10 years right behind the Seneca FFA chapter. The Illinois FFA Association did realignment a year ago this week that moved the Newark FFA Chapter out of the Chicago area schools to a section of local area schools. Career Development Events and other FFA activities have now been against new schools in area. The new section 7 now consists of Oswego East, Newark, Minooka, Seneca, Somonauk-Leland, Streator, Streator-Woodland, LaSalle, Mendota, and Serena. Changes made in all 25 sections in the state due to the increase of Agricultural Programs and FFA Chapters in Illinois.
The Newark FFA Chapter attended the 80th Annual Illinois FFA Convention in Springfield, Illinois, held June 10th through the 12th.
The Newark FFA Chapter accepted the award for the sixth place chapter in Illinois for its Heritage and Cooperative Program. The chapter ranked Gold in the State and will send Allie Jurcak and Alison Monkemeyer to Washington D.C. on all expense paid trip, sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau.
The Newark FFA Chapter received second place plaque for its work in the Illinois FFA Foundation Collection Drive. The chapter received the $9,000 Club Award collecting over $9,000 for the Illinois FFA Foundation.
The Newark FFA Chapter was one of 25 chapters to receive the FFA Sweepstakes Award. This award given to FFA chapters who take part in the National Chapter Award, Illinois FFA Foundation Collection Drive, Heritage Activity Program, and the Cooperative Activity Program and attends at least one State Career Development Event. The chapter also received the Century Challenge award, which recognizes the chapters that have achieved FFA membership equal to the agricultural education enrollment in the school. This is the chapters 28th consecutive year in this award.
The Newark FFA Chapter was section winner in the following area of Student Development in the National Chapter Award Program. There are three areas of the National Chapter Award Program and they are Chapter Development, Student Development, and Community Development. The Chapter was award the number chapter in the state in Student Development. This was the first time that Seneca FFA Chapter lost in this area. The Newark Chapter is a national finalist in the National Chapter Award Program, and judged in Indianapolis, IN this month and results given at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN, in October.
Abby McCartney sang a solo with the State FFA Chorus and chosen to represent Illinois at the National FFA Chorus at the National FFA Convention in October.
Also recognized was Hailey Rehberg for a gold rating and raked as the Top Ten Chapter FFA Presidents in Illinois.
Joe Hanson received his State FFA Degree, the highest degree the state association can bestow on its members.
Voting delegates attending the convention were Dan Doeing and Mike Larson. Also attending the convention was Zeke Schmidt, Josh Michealson, Alison Monkemeyer, Tara Bernard, Skyler Hagen, Sam Hoddy, Rachel Whitlock, Kendall Sigmund, Derek Chandler, Josh McConnell, Connor Duncan, Megan Watson, Logan Rehberg, Alex Bromeland, Luke Larson, Joe Hanson, Allie Jurcak, and Advisor of the Newark FFA Chapter Joe Steffen. The Newark FFA Chapter would like to thank Wendy Bernard and Darlene Ashton for the chaperoning the convention.Overall, the Newark FFA Chapter received a gold rating and recognized as the second place chapter in the state of Illinois. The chapter will compete nationally this summer along with 30 other schools from Illinois.

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