Kalispell FFA attended the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this year with 36 students making up five teams, the most in the chapter’s history, said adviser Brian Bay. 

Students qualified to compete in various Career Development Events at the state level. At nationals, students competed for a spot in the top 10 for each event. Remaining competitors in each event received either gold, silver or bronze emblems for their performances. 

The Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems team earned silver overall, with team member Jayden McIntyre receiving the gold emblem and taking first place in the welding division. Teammates Gavin Mailman and Trenton Lynch earned silver individually and Eli Heil, bronze. Mailman also received a $1,000 scholarship through the AWS Foundation for best virtual welding.    

The Agricultural Sales team also earned silver. Individually, Mackenzie Brandt and Sophie Banzet received gold emblems; Aaron Connors, silver; and Bryce Dorsett, bronze. 

The Farm Agribusiness Management team received a silver emblem. Individually, Bradley Fields earned gold; Kyla Hays, silver; and Welcome Chapman and Kinzey Davis received bronze emblems. 

The Forestry team earned bronze with individuals Nick Fletcher and Cazz Rankosky  receiving silver emblems, with Tanner Wilke and Tyler Aaker getting bronze. 

The Parliamentary Procedure team received silver with individual team members Rylee Glimm and Madison Brist earning Certified Parliamentarian recognition.  Jayla Wise, Alexa Piseno, Laila Sargent and Kate Ford also competed. 

FFA Creed Speaking competitor Dani Wester received a bronze emblem for her performance. 

American Degree recipients — the highest National FFA award earned by only 1% of the 1 million FFA members — were also recognized. For Kalispell FFA that includes Ethan Bay, Jordyn Greene, Evan Heupel and Bailey Lake. 

“Our Agricultural Education students and FFA members excel at pursuing a personalized education tied directly to our agriculture and trades-based industries. These students have a world of opportunity waiting for them,” Bay said. “Our community is so fortunate to be able to offer this to all students within our Kalispell public schools.”   

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].