The National FFA Organization bestowed the American FFA Degree, the highest honor in FFA, to Brett Boyer.  Boyer, 2009 Elma High School graduate, along with eleven other Elma FFA members were recently honors at the 82^nd National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. October 21-23. Elma FFA competed at the national level for the National Chapter Award, Poultry Career Development Event, Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event, Dairy Handler, and American FFA Degree.

"It was a fun learning experience to see agriculture technology, meet people across the country, and compete at the national level," states Logan Zepp, Elma FFA member who competed in the National Poultry Career Development Event as the Washington State Champion Team.  "It's a trip I'll never forget."

Elma FFA represented Washington as the Champion State Poultry Team earning a silver emblem at the National level against 42 other states.  The National Poultry CDE tests students' knowledge and ability to select top quality poultry and poultry products needed for successful production and marketing.  Team members Ella Pittsley, Reynaldo Ayala, Logan Zepp, and Matt Hinderlie all earned silver emblem status.  Megan Custis was the state team alternate.

Mackenzie Cox led the Dairy Cattle Evaluation team against 48 states to a silver emblem placing.  Cox earned a gold emblem, while Vanessa Rutherford, Kristin Daniels, and Johanna Swalander were awarded silver emblems.  The team evaluated dairy herd management and pedigrees.  Various breeds of dairy cattle were analyzed for their specific traits in linear evaluation along with orally justifying selective placing of cattle. Emily Kershaw was also awarded a silver emblem as a national dairy handler. 

The Elma FFA Chapter earned a Three-Star National Chapter Award.  Chapter representatives Tyler Sund and Megan Custis collected the award at the National FFA Convention.  Elma FFA was awarded a State Gold Award in May at the State FFA Convention in Pullman which in turn advanced the chapter for national level consideration.  The National Chapter Award is a three star ranking system assessing achievement in student, chapter, and community development.  Elma FFA is recognized as the top 2% in the nation, according to Elma FFA advisors Dave Rutherford and Christi Kershaw, the three-star rating is the highest level of accomplishment a chapter may achieve.

Elma FFA Advisors Christi Kershaw and Dave Rutherford accompanied the twelve FFA members to Chicago and Indianapolis.  In the Mid-Western states the group toured Chicago Board of Trade, Willis (Sears) Tower, Millennium Park, Purdue University, Fair Oaks Farm, and the Indianapolis Speedway.  During the National FFA Convention, the Elma FFA group competed in Career Development Events, participated in the National FFA Career Show, and attended Leadership and Business sessions.