PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christine Balint
6675 Cincinnati-Zanesville Road NE
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: 740.536.7306 x2671
E-Mail: [email protected]
Fairfield Union Graduates Receive National Honor
LANCASTER, OH – The National FFA Convention is a nationwide convention and expo that provides growth opportunities for next-generation leaders. At the 7th session of the 95th National FFA Convention, six of ten American Degree recipients from the Fairfield Union FFA chapter were recognized amongst the 440 Ohio recipients and 4,305 national recipients. Less than 1% of FFA members earn this honor in their FFA careers. Recipients recognized in attendance were Allison Baker, Brayden Barber, Nickolas Barrett, Brooklyn DeFazio, Nathaniel McCandlish, and Alyssa Swick. Those recipients who were unable to attend were Colt Dennis, Jeffery King, Joshua Starner, and Trevor Thomas. All of the students were 2021 graduates of Fairfield Union High School. These students now join the 91 total American Degree recipients for the Fairfield Union FFA chapter, which was chartered in 1962.
The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, comprises 850,823 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 8,995 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The National FFA Convention is a nationwide convention and expo that provides growth opportunities for next-generation leaders. The Fairfield Union FFA Chapter has exceptional leaders and will be competing at the convention in the proficiency category this year.
The agricultural proficiency award honors FFA members who exemplify and develop specialized skills within their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs) that apply to their future careers. Nathaniel McCandlish, a 2021 graduate, is one of four national finalists in his proficiency area of Turfgrass Management. Nathaniel completed his supervised agricultural experience in an entrepreneurship project where he created his own lawn care business, McCandlish Lawn and Landscape, which is now flourishing. Nathaniel has worked over 1,500 hours and invested the majority of his earnings back into his business. From hiring classmates to earning LLC status, Nathaniel has worked diligently to make his business sustainable and profitable. Nathaniel will be competing in the National FFA Convention & Expo on October 26-28th, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are proud of his accomplishments and wish Nathaniel the best of luck.
For the first time in Fairfield Union history, an FFA team has qualified to compete at the Big E as an Ohio FFA team representative. The students will compete at the Big E on September 17, 2022 in Springfield, Massachusetts. We are proud of their accomplishments and wish the team the best of luck. The qualifying team consists of 2022 graduate Jadin Triplett, juniors Mackenzie Chilcote and Ella Kimball, and sophomore Emma Daubenmire. Mackenzie Chilcote placed 3rd overall individually in the contest as well. Click More+ to read the full Press Release on the prestigous competition.