This photo from the Section Three event shows, from left, KHS agriculture educators Ella Cagwin and Shelby Bailey, senior Kashen Ellerbrock, junior Jaxon Janey, junior Kalleigh Gale, senior Payton Ouart, KHS agriculture educator Kindra Callahan and KHS student teacher Kadie Pierson. [Photo courtesy of Kewanee High School]

On Monday, Kewanee FFA hosted the Section 3 Illinois FFA State Degree Candidate interviews and Proficiency (SAE) interviews.

“Across the day nearly 140 interviews took place with 49 volunteer judges,” said Kindra Callahan of the KHS ag department. “We were very thankful for our chapter members who hosted all of our guests under the assistance of Kewanee FFA parents Lisa Stisser and Lora Carmichael.”

Callahan also thanked the KHS special events team for preparing the building and maintaining all our needs throughout the day and Pat Damron for providing the meal.

KHS ag students recommended for FFA State Degrees were Kashen Ellerbrock, Payton Ouart, Jaxon Janey and Kalleigh Gale.

Section Three winners who will advance to district competition in Geneseo next month are Kelsey Scott, agricultural education; Emmalee Kilstrom, agricultural processing; Payton Ouart, diversified agricultural production; Mikayla Ouart, equine science; Kaleigh Gale, food service; Kashen Ellerbrock, sheep production; and Cheyenne Orwig, wildlife production and management.

This is the most KHS students named Section 3 winners since 2018, Callahan said.

Other FFA members who shared their proficiency in supervised agricultural experiences were Jaxon Janey, ag services; Brooklyn Schiltz, specialty animal; Remy Hicks, outdoor recreation; Joey Janey, ag sales and forage production; Isabella Guzman, small-animal care; and Katy Carton, SOE human and public health.