BY TANNER CONNELL
Lake Butler FFA President, 2023-2024
Lake Butler FFA has been blessed beyond measure this past year and is grateful for its supporters. The chapter kicked the year off strong at the 96th Florida FFA State Convention & Expo, earning prestigious titles. For the first time in chapter history, Lake Butler FFA is home to the District IV President, Tanner Connell, and the District IV Secretary, Cailynn Boggs. Reagan Robinson was selected as an Area II State Vice Presidential Candidate, which has not been accomplished by a member of Lake Butler FFA since 2018. The Agricultural Communications team was named State Champions for the first time in the chapter’s history.
Competitions and championships
This was all in the summer. As fall approached, the Agricultural Communications team prepared to compete at the National FFA Convention, where they earned the 2023 Reserve National Champions title. Reagan Robinson was named the National High Individual, and Madison Johnson placed fifth overall. Team members include Reagan Robinson, Madison Johnson, Hannah Sherrod, Kindall Johnson, and Perry Johnson. Nolan Beighley was selected to play in the National FFA Band as the sole representative from Florida.
Lake Butler FFA has also made a name for itself, winning competitions at the district level. Kendyl Brannen placed first in the Creed Speaking Career Development Event, and the Parliamentary Procedure team also placed first. Team members include Tanner Connell, Cailynn Boggs, Joseph Harris, Kendyn Brannen, Kutter Durrance, Sierra Mohl, Ezequiel Baker, and Tucker Dortch.
The Food Science team competed at their State Contest at the beginning of February, placing eighth in the state; team members included Connell, Boggs, Shayna Durrance, Madison Starling, and Aubree Gay. The Poultry team qualified to compete at their state contest, with team members consisting of Blayne Hendricks, Miley Wilson, Carson Thomas, Bobbie Jo Montford, and Rylie Parrish. The Horse Judging team also qualified for their State Contest in April, with team members including Bayley Stair, Sierra Bell, Jolena Rodgers, Kendyl Brannen, and Bailey Varnes.
Community service
As part of the annual tradition, chapter members came together to successfully create six Thanksgiving baskets to give to families in the community so they could enjoy a home-cooked meal on Thanksgiving Day. Afterward, Tanner and Cailynn decided to use their positions to host another community service project at the district level. Lake Butler FFA hosted a shoebox packing event for Operation Christmas Child and successfully packed 48 boxes to send to children worldwide.
Events and scholarships
The chapter hosts various events for its members, such as the chili feed and peanut boil, a time for members to get together and enjoy good food and fellowship. There have also been different fundraising activities for the chapter and scholarships, in which there is an outpouring of support from the Lake Butler community. The chapter and its members are forever grateful for all the support received.
Leadership development
As part of National FFA Week, however, it is important to reflect on what the National FFA Organization does for students in our community and all across the nation. While FFA teaches students about agriculture and the importance of sustainable farming, it also forms leaders for future generations. With numerous Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events, conventions, workshops, and conferences, this organization is helping to provide the best leadership skills possible. As the motto states, Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve, FFA members live their lives to serve communities all around them to the best of their ability.
