Gilbert Public Schools Future Farmers of America (FFA) students and alumni participated in the 98th Annual National FFA Convention, which took place from October 28 to November 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event, organized by the National FFA Organization, brought together over 71,000 members, advisors, alumni, and supporters from across the United States.
During the convention, Gilbert Public Schools received several honors. The district’s Meat Evaluation team competed at Purdue University’s meat processing facility in West Lafayette. Team members Mia Conti (Silver), Dakota Hubbard (Bronze), Gunner Mertlich (Silver), and Hyrum Dorny (Silver) achieved a Silver Team ranking and placed 18th out of 48 teams nationwide after participating in a six-hour contest that included retail cut identification and carcass judging.
“Walking into the facilities at Purdue and seeing hundreds of students who share the same passion for agriculture was incredible,” said Mia Conti. “It reminded me that the work we’re doing matters, not just for the competition, but for understanding where our food comes from and how much goes into producing it.”
The Gilbert High School FFA Chapter also earned recognition as a Three-Star National Chapter. This is the highest distinction awarded through the National Chapters Awards program.
Seven students from Campo Verde, Highland, and Mesquite FFA Chapters—Holly Anderson, Grayson Daniell, Payden Dillard, Blake Hammond, Ty Kochaji, Melia Kapuras, and Bryson Osuha—received the American FFA Degree. This honor is presented by the National FFA Organization to less than one percent of its million members nationwide.
“It doesn’t matter what small town you’re from or what your background is — in America, anything is possible with hard work and big dreams,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during her remarks at the National FFA Convention. “The FFA teaches students to meet their moment, work for a righteous goal, and be part of something bigger than themselves.”
Gilbert Public Schools offers multiple Career and Technical Student Organizations alongside Career & Technical Education courses to help prepare students for academic and career success by developing skills such as communication and character. More information about these programs can be found at GilbertSchools.net/CTE.
