Roy-Hart FFA celebrates many successes at FFA convention
Provided photos: The Royalton-Hartland FFA Chapter was a top performer in many of the competitions held during the state convention in Buffalo.
Press Release, Royalton-Hartland FFA
MIDDLEPORT – Last week, 40 Royalton-Hartland FFA members and 4 Royalton-Hartland educators traveled to the Buffalo Convention Center for the 99th annual New York State FFA Convention & Expo.
The Roy-Hart group included 28 high school members, 12 middle school members, Matthew Sweeney (HS Agriculture Educator & FFA Advisor) Madeline Keyes (MS Agriculture Educator & Jr. FFA Co-Advisor), Susan McLaughlin (Jr. FFA Co-Advisor), and Shelly Budziszewski (Elementary Green Team Co-Advisor).
Members participated in agriculture industry tours, assisted with day-of-service activities, networked with college and career professionals, earned state degree and proficiency awards, and competed in a variety of Career Development Event (CDE) competitions.
The CDE competitions build on what is learned in agricultural education classes and encourage FFA members to put their knowledge into practice. These events are designed to help a member prepare for a career in agriculture by testing and challenging the student’s technical, leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, as well as their knowledge of the subject matter.
The Milk Quality & Products CDE State Championship Team includes, from left: Phinn Cousins, Mackenzie Diamond, Caleb Verratti and Joshua Kennedy.
All 1st place CDE teams advance to the national level to represent New York State at the National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis, Indiana in October. Most 2nd place CDE teams advance to the regional level to represent New York State at “The Big E” (Eastern State Exposition) held in West Springfield, Massachusetts in September.
Results from the 2024 NYS FFA Convention:
STATE CHAMPION (1st Place) Milk Quality & Products CDE Team:
- Mackenzie Diamond – 1st Place Individual
- Joshua Kennedy – 2nd Place Individual
- Cayla Burch – 6th Place Individual
- Phinn Cousins – 8th Place Individual
- Caleb Verratti
They will represent NYS FFA at the 2024 National FFA Convention.
The Farm & Agribusiness Management CDE State Championship Team includes, from left: Sean Labiak, Sophia Santella, Garrett Armenia and Vanessa Grant.
STATE CHAMPION (1st Place) Farm & Agribusiness Management CDE Team:
- Vanessa Grant – 3rd Place Individual
- Garrett Armenia – 7th Place Individual
- Sophia Santella
- Sean Labiak
They will represent NYS FFA at the 2024 National FFA Convention.
2nd Place Food Science & Technology CDE Team:
- Phinn Cousins – 1st Place Individual
- Nicholas Armenia – 4th Place Individual
- Caleb Verratti – 6th Place Individual
- Scott Clark
They will represent NYS FFA at the 2024 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E).
2nd Place Meats Evaluation & Technology CDE Team:
- Sophia Santella – 3rd Place Individual
- Nicholas Armenia – 4th Place Individual
- Phinn Cousins
- Mackenzie Diamond
They will represent NYS FFA at the 2024 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E).
2nd Place Forestry CDE Team:
- Adam Yanicki – 4th Place Individual
- Joshua Kennedy
- Judson Heck
- John Konstanty
- Nathaniel Wolf
They will represent NYS FFA at the 2024 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E).
2nd Place Sr. People In Agriculture LDE:
- Mackenzie Diamond
3rd Place Maple CDE Team:
- Nathaniel Wolf
- Joshua Kennedy
- Judson Heck
- John Konstanty
3rd Place Farm & Agribusiness Management CDE Team:
- Camden VandenBosch – 10th Place Individual
- Anthony Adams
- Adam Yanicki
- Cayla Burch
3rd Place Agricultural Sales CDE Team:
- Garrett Armenia – 6th Place Individual
- Caleb Verratti
- Calvin Dent
- Camden VandenBosch
Aquaculture CDE Team:
- Anthony Adams – 4th Place Individual
New York State FFA Empire Degree (Highest FFA Degree in NYS):
- Sophia Santella
Proficiency Awards:
Joshua Kennedy – Gold in Forest Management & Products; State winner – Advancing to National Convention
Caleb Verratti – Gold in Diversified Crop Production; State winner – Advancing to National Convention
Vanessa Grant – Silver in Agricultural Services
Cayla Burch – Bronze in Vegetable Production
Mackenzie Diamond – Bronze in Veterinary Science
Nicholas Armenia – Bronze in Agricultural Mechanics & Fabrication
