Burn Your Barriers State Convention

This year, the FFA’s State Convention was held March 10-12 in Richfield. FFA State Convention is where all the chapters from the state come together to listen to workshops, attend sessions, compete in speaking contests, and watch as new state officers are selected for the next year.

This year we had many people from the Payson FFA Chapter that competed in events, and applied for awards. There were 12 members who put forth a lot of effort to earn their State Degrees. Katelyn Robbins competed in prepared speaking, Brooke Barnett competed in job interview, Parker Mason ran for state office, and we had many people who applied for proficiency awards, and scholarships. Katelyn placed 3rd overall in prepared speaking, Mckade Ercanbrack, Rylan Huff, and Casey Giffing won first in proficiency award and will be advancing on to nationals. Mckade said about receiving this award, “I felt like my hard work was worth it.”

Madison Houston received the Star State Greenhand. Melanie Ward received the Utah Farmers Cooperative scholarship for $1000, and Braden Kunzler received the Deep in the Heart scholarship for $800. Braden said about getting this scholarship, “I was excited to receive this scholarship. I know it will go to good use.” The Payson FFA chapter as a whole won many awards as well.

On the first day that the chapter got there, we participated in a service project. The project was to put together macaroni and cheese meals that would go to help homelessness around Utah. There were a lot of chapters that participated, and a good number of meals were put together. Throughout the rest of the convention, there were different sessions where awards were given, keynote speakers presented, and the 2015-2016 state officers gave their retiring addresses. On the first night, after the last session Hypno Hick, a hypnotist, came and did a show. The money raised to get in went to help with the Deep in the Heart scholarship. On the last night of state convention there was a dance with a live band playing. There were so many great memories that were made throughout this year's State Convention.  

We had many members who attended the convention this year, and it was a great experience for all who came.