Kewanee High School FFA members (from left) Makenna Witte, Remy Hicks and Breanna Hampton are pictured with a plaque commemorating the foundation’s $3,000 Club Award the FFA chapter received at the state convention. [Photos courtesy of the Kewanee High School FFA chapter.]

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Kewanee FFA chapter attended the 96th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 11-13 along with a record setting attendance of more than 6,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2024 theme of “United As One,” the three-day event annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture. 

The awards included:

Illinois State FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event: Nolie Charlet, was named the State Runner Up finishing 2nd among the Top 10 Creed Speakers from across the state. Nolie had to win out of the Section 3 and District 1 Creed contest to advance to the Top 10 in the state competing in Springfield. 
Kelsey Scott, Isabella Guzman, Jackson Price, Nolie Charlet and Summer Simmons were named the State Runner Up finishing 2nd among the Top 25 Greenhand Quiz Bowl teams from across the state. 
The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall. The Kewanee FFA Chapter was named sixth Premier Illinois FFA Chapter. Shown here are Emmalee Kilstrom, left, and Abigail DeSchepper.  

Illinois State FFA Degree: Ashlynn Brose, Abigail DeSchepper, Emma Evans, Hannah Ince, and Joey Janey were conferred with State FFA Degrees by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.

Ashlynn Brose
Abigail DeSchepper
Emma Evans
Hannah Ince
Joey Janey

American FFA Degree: Kyle Joos was recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2024 American FFA Degrees will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.

Kyle Joos