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Many members of the Hillsdale FFA chapter attended the 90th official Ohio State FFA Convention at the Ohio Expo Center. Thursday, May 3, members received a tour of the American Whistle Company in Columbus, the only metal whistle factory in United States. The members each received a whistle. Members heard motivational speeches from keynote speakers Gian Paul Gonzalez and Eddie George. Blayne Bartter and Alyssa Critzer served as delegates for the business meeting of the Ohio FFA Association. Molly Moffett placed fourth in the Dairy Production-Entrepreneurship proficiency award. Dairy Production is a Supervised Agricultural Experience, SAE, that is about the skills that are required in planning and operating an agriculture-related business. Molly received a gold plaque and a pin.

Friday, members toured Yutaka Technologies which produces catalytic converters and exhaust systems and supplies them to original equipment manufacturers. The Ohio FFA Band and Chorus gave a performance on Friday and Hillsdale FFA member Jacob Chio participated in the band. At convention, there were two keynote speakers: Greg Ibach and Erica Baier, the National FFA Secretary. Gold rated officers Alex Becker and Hannah Way walked on stage to receive their gold officer pin. The Hillsdale FFA Agronomy and Poultry Career Development Event (CDE) team received their first place banners on stage. The State FFA Degree is the second highest level that can be achieved as an FFA member. This step in the FFA Degree system encourages students to grow and achieve personally toward establishing themselves in an agricultural career. Members receiving their state degrees this year were Blayne Bartter, (Garrett) Pete Crites, Michael Garn, Lucas Markley, Adrianne McPhillips, Molly Moffett, Braxton Slagle and Hannah Way. In order to receive a state FFA degree members must earn at least $2,500 on their Supervised Agricultural Experience project, have participated in at least two different state sanctioned Career Development Events, and have participated in eight FFA activities above the chapter level.

State Degree- Top Row (L to R) Pete Crites, Blayne Bartter, Michael Garn, Lucas Markley, and Alec Becker
Bottom Row (L to R) Adrianne McPhillips, Hannah Way, Molly Moffett, and Braxton Slagle.