97th Iowa FFA State Convention Recap

By Molly Burken

The DeWitt Central FFA Chapter went to the 97th Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference on April 13th-15th, at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames. 25 students, 1 coach, 1 advisor, and 1 parent/driver went to State Convention for Leadership Development Events (LDEs), Career Development Events (CDEs), Courtesy Corps, FFA tests and quizzes, Chorus singing, and members being recognized for earning various awards and degrees. At the 4th and final General Session of the convention, attendance reached a record, for not only the convention itself, but a record-breaking number of 7,146 members, advisors, and guests from 265 chapters all around Iowa.

The FFA members started their convention trip by taking 2 vans and 1 suburban to Ames on Sunday, April 13th. After getting settled at the hotel, they went to Hickory Park for a team dinner. (pictured right and below) As always, the restaurant was packed with other FFA chapters, with everyone waiting outside for their parties to be called.

Monday and Tuesday were filled with many tests, contests, award recognitions, and general activities. 3 members were involved with the Courtesy Corps, helping with various activities and jobs throughout the convention. These were Carlee Garrity, Caden Bernauer, and Ethan Hoeft.

One DeWitt member was accepted into the FFA State Choir, and that was Molly Burken. The 2025 Iowa FFA State choir was composed of roughly 84 singers from all over the state, all coming together to sing for the convention. The songs they performed were “How Can I Keep From Singing,” arranged by Gwyneth Walker, and “Over My Head,” arranged by Adam Podd and Matt Podd. The State Choir was sponsored by Buena Vista University and directed by Christopher Phalen, the Director of Choral Activities at Buena Vista.

TESTS

A total of 9 members took 4 different tests. Members taking the Farm Business Management Test were Kalli Barber, Delaney Barber, Rachel Clark, and Katlin Truelsen. All members received a Gold. Some members took tests that correlate to different Degrees you can earn in FFA. In order the Degrees are: Discovery, Greenhand, Chapter, State, and American. The American Degree is the highest award you can receive in FFA. The tests available at State Convention are Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter. The Discovery Knowledge Test was taken by Evelynn Smith, who received Bronze, and Katie Grantz, who received Silver. Members who took the Greenhand Knowledge Test were Cooper Barber and Audrina Gordon, both receiving Gold. The Chapter Knowledge Test was taken by Taylor Houser, who also received a Gold.

AWARDS

2 members received Proficiency Awards for their SAEs (Supervised Agricultural Experiences). Hannah Grantz received 1st in the area of Swine

Entrepreneurship. Katlin Truelsen received 1st in the area of Agricultural Communications. Truelsen was also a finalist for the Stars Over Iowa in the area of Placement. Kyle Deppe was recognized for his 1st Place ranking in the Individual Livestock Judging CDE that happened in the fall. (all pictured right)

The DeWitt Central Chapter was also recognized for being a Gold-level National

Chapter award recipient. The chapter was recognized in the area of Strengthening Agriculture, presented by McKenzie Snow from the Iowa Department of Education. (pictured left)

A total of 297 FFA members from all over Iowa received their State Degree at convention this year. DeWitt Central had 13 members walk across the stage and shake the hand of the current State President. These were Delaney Barber, Kalli Barber, Caden Bernauer, Lucas Burken, Kyle Deppe, Hannah Grantz, Ty Henningson, Taylor Houser, Kamryn Keester, Price Strohman, Emily Sutton (not pictured), Katlin Truelsen, and Adam Wilke. (pictured below: Delaney Barber, Kalli Barber, Taylor Houser, Price Strohman) These members had to meet all the Degree requirements, which you can view here.

ACTIVITES

One part of State Convention is the activities, games, and the FFA Fun Night on Monday. Members experienced a night full of music, dancing, and games. Music was provided by Eli Alger with Faster Horses, and line dancing for members to learn and dance to the tunes. Fun Night is an opportunity for members across the state to connect, make friends, and have a huge hangout with other FFA members. Members from DeWitt are pictured below.

Girls from left to right: Katie Grantz, Carlee Garrity, Dalani Beuthien, Kamryn Keester, Emily Sutton, Evelynn Smith, Hannah Grantz, Audrina Gordon, Taylor Houser.

Boys from left to right: Lucas Burken, Ty Henningsen, Kyle Deppe.

DeWitt attendees not pictured: Adam Wilke and Fayeth Henningsen (DeWitt Alum)