Paige Cook, left, and Bridget Payne with the Building Communities National Chapter Section Award. As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Building Communities is designed to encourage the local development of FFA partnerships with alumni affiliates and other organizations while taking a leadership role in making the community a better place to live and work.
Courtesy of the Harrisburg High School FFA
SPRINGFIELD - Members of the Harrisburg FFA chapter received four prestigious awards at the 90th annual Illinois State FFA Convention.
The convention, June 12-14, saw attendance by more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisers, and guests.
"Be Bold" was the theme of the three-day event which recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture. Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses, an evening dance and talent show, and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois' capital city.
The Convention's 2018 service project benefited children through "The Crayon Initiative," which collects old, used crayons and creates new ones for distribution to art programs at children's hospitals across the nation. The convention program featured addresses by National FFA Southern Region Vice President Ian Bennett of Georgia and from each of the retiring major state officers.
During the convention, the following awards were presented to the Harrisburg FFA chapter:
Growing Leaders National Chapter Award, Building Communities National Chapter Award, Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award and Section Banker's Plaque Award.
Paige Cook, right, and Jaden Oglesby with the Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Section Award. As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Strengthening Agriculture is designed to encourage opportunities and service for members, such as promoting increased member participation and financial responsibility, creating a positive image, and interacting with support groups and cooperatives through organized activities.
Courtesy of the Harrisburg High School FFA
Bridget Payne, left, and Autumn Rain Harrawood, with the Section Banker's Plaque Award. The Banker's Plaque is given to the chapter in each section with the highest overall score on the National Chapter Award application.
Courtesy of the Harrisburg High School FFA
Hannah Haney, left, and Riley Harper with the Growing Leaders National Chapter Section Award. As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Growing Leaders is designed to encourage the chapter to develop individual and cooperative activities to enhance students' life skills.
Courtesy of the Harrisburg High School FFA