Decorah FFA Chapter Excels at State
The Decorah FFA competed at the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 13-15, 2025, at Iowa State University in Ames. Twenty-six Decorah FFA members attended this year’s conference, including Hadley Alexander, Brock Anfinson, Rylee Averhoff, Brinlee Courtney, Brooks Courtney, Madelynn Dahl, Jerikah Dodd, Kiele Eberling, Karlie Einck, Logan Frye, Lauren Holthaus, Jackson Irwin, Lyla Lovstuen, Mara Lovstuen, Gabe Monroe, Brandi Nehls, Jordyn Roberg, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Isabella Schnitzler, Jordan Sims, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Bentley Smith, Derek Tieskoetter, Kamryn Werges, and Thea Zidlicky.
Results on State Qualifying Events
Karlie Einck, the 2024–2025 Secretary of the Decorah FFA Chapter, submitted the chapter’s secretary book for state evaluation, where it earned a gold rating and was named the state champion. Einck was recognized on the main stage and presented with a plaque.
Gabe Monroe, 2024-2025 treasurer of the Decorah FFA, submitted the Decorah FFA treasurer’s book. The book received a gold rating and was awarded third place. Monroe was recognized on the main stage during the second general session.
Five members also competed in the parliamentary procedure leadership development event. The team of Hadley Alexander, Brinlee Courtney, Jackson Irwin, Mara Lovstuen, and Gabe Monroe received a silver rating.
State Ag Skills Career Development Event
The Ag Communications team—Madelynn Dahl, Eden Scheidel, Isabella Schnitzler, and Bentley Smith—competed in a contest that required them to attend an agriculture-related press conference and develop a communications and media plan based on the information presented. The team earned a silver rating.
The Poultry Evaluation Team also earned a silver rating at their career development event. Team members Brock Anfinson, Brooks Courtney, Brandi Nehls, and Thea Zidlicky evaluated chickens and poultry products and were tested on general knowledge of poultry management.
The Farm Business Management Team members Rylee Averhoff, Kiele Eberling, and Lyla Lovstuen demonstrated their ability to apply economic principles and farm management concepts to analyze and make informed business decisions. They received a silver rating.
The FFA Greenhand Quiz, which assesses members’ knowledge of the FFA organization, was taken by Jordyn Roberg and Taylor Sloan-Dahl. Roberg earned a gold rating, and Sloan-Dahl received a silver rating.
Iowa FFA Degree
Nine members of the Decorah FFA earned the Iowa FFA Degree–the highest honor a member may receive from the state. Rylee Averhoff, Jerikah Dodd, Logan Frye, Lyla Lovstuen, Eden Scheidel, Annika Schmelzer, Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, and Kamryn Werges qualified by completing the three-circle model’s participation requirements: SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience), FFA, and Classroom/Laboratory.
State FFA Officer
DHS graduate Creed Monroe served this last year as the Iowa FFA State Northeast District Vice President. As a state FFA officer, Monroe collaborated with other officers, members, advisors, and stakeholders to advance the goals of the FFA organization. During the state FFA leadership conference, he facilitated a general session, gave a retiring FFA address, and collaborated with other members.
Additional Contest Results and Activities
The Decorah FFA Chapter earned a bronze rating in the National Chapter Award Program, a contest designed to encourage chapters to plan activities and carry them out successfully. Chapters are recognized for outstanding achievement in the areas of student development, chapter development, and community development. Brinlee Courtney accepted the award on behalf of the chapter during the third general session.
The Decorah FFA chapter was also recognized on the main stage for the ambassador award program. Lauren Holthaus accepted the award on stage during the first general session.
Members also took part in a variety of events that took place throughout the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference and attended the career show. Kamryn Werges participated in Massing of the Flags, Jackson Irwin participated in the State FFA Chorus, Gabe Monroe and Eden Scheidel served as a state courtesy corps members, and Karlie Einck and Gabe Monroe served as the chapter’s delegates and attended the state FFA association’s business session.
Twenty-six Decorah FFA members attended the 97th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at the Iowa State University Campus in Ames.
Front Row: Jackson Irwin, Jordyn Roberg, Lyla Lovstuen, Brandi Nehls, Madelynn Dahl, Hadley Alexander, Jerikah Dodd
Middle Row: Brinlee Courtney, Karlie Einck, Lauren Holthaus, Annika Schmelzer, Rylee Averhoff, Brock Anfinson, Isabella Schnitzler, Kiele Eberling, Kamryn Werges
Back Row: Jordan Sims, Logan Frye, Gabe Monroe, Brooks Courtney, Thea Zidlicky, Eden Scheidel, Bentley Smith
Absent from photo: Mara Lovstuen, Taylor Sloan-Dahl, Derek Tieskoetter
Nine Decorah FFA members received their Iowa FFA Degree.
Front Row: Eden Scheidel, Lyla Lovstuen, Rylee Averhoff, Kamryn Werges
Back Row: Jordan Sims, Derek Tieskoetter, Logan Frye, Annika Schmelzer, Jerikah Dodd
Karlie Einck received 1st place at state in the FFA secretary’s book competition.
Gabe Monroe received 3rd place for his treasurer’s book.
