Central Junior High School FFA students had an outstanding showing at the recent Middle School Career Development Event (CDE) Rally hosted by Cambridge FFA.

The Central students earned overall first place team honors against strong competition from across the section.

Students competed in four divisions: animal systems, plant systems, ag mechanics and food systems.

Each division is designed to assess content knowledge and hands-on technical skills. 

Events included written exams, identification rotations and practicums aligned with National FFA standards. 

These contests challenge students to apply classroom learning to real-world agricultural scenarios, building confidence, teamwork, and career-ready skills.

Kewanee Middle FFA results:

•  Overall team and ag mechanics team, first place
• Animal systems team and food systems team, second place

Three individuals placed third for Central: Coy Rieker in animal systems, Harmony VerKruyse in ag mechanics and Josie Vigor in food systems.

“This event showcased the strength of our agricultural education program at the middle school level and the impact of early exposure to hands-on, skill-based learning,” said Kindra Callahan, Kewanee High School agriculture teacher and FFA adviser. “The success of these students reflects their hard work, commitment to preparation, and willingness to step outside their comfort zones to compete at a high level,” Callahan said.

“We are incredibly proud of these students and grateful for the continued support from our administration, faculty, and families who make opportunities like this possible,” she said. “Experiences such as the Middle School CDE Rally help build a strong pipeline of confident, capable students as they transition into high school coursework and FFA involvement.”