Youth News
National FFA Names 23 Oklahoma FFA Members as National Finalists in 2017 Proficiency Awards- Updated
Thu, 10 Aug 2017 08:31:13 CDT
UPDATED- our original story reflected the home towns of some of our finalists- based on the news releases released by the National FFA- instead of their Chapters- we have updated our information and now show their Chapter in the listing below. It was also incorrectly noted that Fairview has two finalists- they have three for 2017.
The Oklahoma FFA Association will once again be strongly represented in the 47 program areas that make up the National Proficiency Awards that will be selected and recognized at the 90th National Convention of the FFA. Over the last five years, Oklahoma has taken home 28 national Proficiency contest titles and is one of the leading state FFA Associations in the country when it comes to hearing members of their state called out as a National winner. In 2016, three Oklahoma FFA members won national titles, five in 2015 and 2014. In 2013, Oklahoma claimed seven and eight in 2012.
Lane Fanning of the Laverne FFA Chapter is one of the 23 Oklahoma FFA members that are Proficiency finalists and is seen in the photo pictured here. Earlier this year at the 2017 State FFA Convention- he was honored as the State Star Farmer of 2017.
In 2017, Oklahoma has the second most finalists of any state- with a total of 23 Oklahoma FFA members heading to Indianapolis to compete in their Proficiency Award area. A year ago, Oklahoma had 17 finalists vying for honors in Indy.
The Fairview, Oklahoma FFA Chapter has three members competing as national finalists. Last year, the Fairview Chapter sent four of the 17 Oklahoma members to compete. One of the three competing this year is Bethany Niles, who also competed last year in Indy as a National Finalist in the Agricultural Communications division, and won. This year she is competing in the Agricultural Education division.
Another of the 2017 Finalists competing for a second national championship is Kaylee Brunker of Perkins-Tryon- she won in 2015 in Sheep Production and competes this year in Diversified Livestock.
Top states in the numbers of finalists that will be traveling to Indy for the 90th National Convention and Expo include Ohio with 25, Oklahoma with 23 and Georgia with 20 members headed to the party.
Placement proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to employment, apprenticeships, or internships at an agribusiness or agriculture-related organization.
Entrepreneurship proficiency awards are given to those whose SAEs are related to ownership of an agribusiness or agriculture-related enterprise.
The 2017 National Finalists that will represent Oklahoma in the National Proficiency Contests include:
Jonathon Armbruster, Burlington
Forage Production
Jarod Ray, Adair
Agricultural Mechanics
Sadie Brown, Leflore
Forest Management & Products
Kaylee Brunker, Perkins-Tryon
Diversified Livestock
Courtney Danae, Wellston
Small Animal Production and Care
Lane Fanning, Laverne
Beef Production
Hannah Feuerborn, Edmond
Agriscience Research - Animal Systems
Ty Goss, Leedey
Landscape Management
Coleby Haymaker, Hennessey
Diversified Crop Production
Blake Anthony Kennedy, Tecumseh
Agricultural Services - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Raegan Klaassen, Hydro
Specialty Crop Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Guess Leonard, Sequoyah
Agricultural Sales - Entrepreneurship
Gunner Monroe, Harrah
Poultry Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Luke Muller, Navajo
Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production
Kohl Murray, Perkins-Tryon
Grain Production - Placement
Bethany Niles, Fairview
Agricultural Education - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Ryli Powell, Ringwood
Nursery Operations - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Shane Rippe, Fairview
Swine Production - Placement
Ethan Sacket, Fairview
Turf Grass Management - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Clayton Shires, Calera
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance - Placement
Jett Smith, Perry
Vegetable Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Bill Trotter, Drummond
Goat Production - Entrepreneurship/Placement
Grant Wilbur, Cherokee
Swine Production - Entrepreneurship
Click here to see how the complete lineup of 44 Oklahoma FFA members did in the National Proficiency placings for 2017.
Our exclusive coverage of the 2017 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this coming October is a service of ITC Great Plains, Your Energy Superhighway- learn more about this high voltage, transmission only utility and their commitment to the communities they serve which is the cornerstone of their business-click here We also appreciate the support of the Oklahoma FFA Association and the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Association. Click here for more information about one of the top states in the US in the FFA- the Oklahoma FFA Association. Oklahoma FFA impacts the lives of over 27,000 members in 359 chapters across the state.
Source - The National FFA
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