Members of the Blanco FFA Chapter spent the past week in Corpus Christi taking part in the annual State FFA Convention. With more than 10,000 members in attendance, this proved to be one of the largest conventions to date. Among the many FFA members and chapters recognized on stage at this year’s convention, Blanco FFA members were honored numerous times for their accomplishments.

Highlighting the local chapter’s accomplishments for the year were seniors Alex Gustafson and Kellam Nabers. Alex was honored on stage as she was presented a $16,000 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship as well as a $1,500 San Antonio Livestock Exposition Tour Guide Scholarship. In addition, Alex was presented a plaque and $500 as the area winner and state finalist for the John Justin Standard of the West Award. Kellam also made several trips across the stage as he was presented a $16,000 Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo Scholarship and a $1,500 San Antonio Livestock Exposition Tour Guide Scholarship. Kellam was also awarded a state finalist plaque and 7th place banner in the Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Event.

During the State FFA Degree Ceremony on Wednesday, Blanco proved to be one of the top chapters in the state, with eleven members receiving their Lonestar Degree, the highest degree honor on the state level an FFA member can achieve. Those recognized included Callie Culton, Elise Edmondson, Sam Isenberg, Ed Alvarado, Skylar Itz, Colton Childress, Tyler Hardin, Kellam Nabers, Joanna Delavan, Mackenzie Johnson, and James Leachman.

Finally, at the State Champions session of the convention, the Blanco FFA was recognized for winning the first Environmental Science and Natural Resource Contest State Championship. Team member Colton Childress was presented with a state championship plaque and $500.

Advisors for the Blanco FFA are Felice and Jason Marek.