The FFA Chapter at Wawasee High School recently attended the state convention, which took place at Purdue University. Wyatt Schafer, Lucas Wilkinson, Lyric Lonjin, Addison Mock, Taelyn Tom, Abbi Harris, Ava Mock, Coltin Bucher, and Page Allen are pictured from the left. Aidan Beer, Jace Beer, and Kiera Lortie are not shown. Wawasee FFA donated the image.
HYRACUSE The 96th Indiana FFA State Convention was held at Purdue University from June 16–19. The annual convention of the more than 14,000 Indiana FFA members featured the theme ILLUMINATE as a way to honor members’ commitment within the organization. Cargill was the sponsor of the convention title.
For the 2,000 attendees of this year’s state convention, there were plenty of interesting chances. One keynote speaker, who shared their passion and experiences with convention attendees, elevated the six general sessions in Elliott Hall of Music. During the first session of the conference, Gian Paul Gonzalez, a native New Yorker and ninth-grade history teacher, spoke to attendees. His advice to the New York Giants had a lasting effect and helped them win the Super Bowl.
State winners received recognition during the convention sessions. A distinguished group of FFA members emerged victorious from their supervised farm experiences as the proficiency area winners. More than 400 Hoosier FFA Degree holders were honored this year.
Onstage, the state career development competitions’ top teams and individuals received recognition for their accomplishments. The 2025–2026 Indiana FFA State Officers were also inducted, and the names of the Stars above Indiana were revealed.
FFA members had the opportunity to attend leadership courses, dinners, and a barn dance over the four-day conference, which allowed them to shine their light and show others the way.
Coltin Bucher was inducted as a member of the District II Officer Team as a member of the Wawasee FFA Chapter.
At the state competition on the first day, the Wawasee Veterinary Science teams—which included Page Allen, Bucher, Anna Bowling, Katy Eppert, Lyric Lonjin, Addison Mock, and Ashley Wake—showcased their expertise.
Kiera Lortie took part in the premier leadership interview, and Aidan Beer competed in the freshmen extemporaneous public speaking competition. Additionally, the chapter produced a display exhibit with the ILLUMINATE theme.
Jace Beer, Carter Grady, Abbi Harris, Emerson Krull, Keira Lortie, Ava Mock, Taelyn Tom, and Wyatt Schafer were among the participants.
During the Hoosier Degree session on the third day of the conference, members Krull, Bucher, Tom, and Lucas Wilkinson were awarded their degrees. FFA members must have completed two or more years of agriculture courses and FFA membership, participated in five or more FFA activities above the chapter level, held a leadership position as an officer or chair of a committee, worked 600 or more unpaid hours, earned and invested $3,102 or more in their businesses or an asset that supports their work, had excellent academic records, and completed 25 hours or more of community service in order to be eligible for this award.
