Creston FFA sends one to national convention

Creston High Future Farmers of America member Tucker Rohrig took the words to heart. Now he’s also taking them to the National FFA Convention later this year.

At the state FFA convention April 18 to 20, Rohrig won the creed speaking contest beating out other contestants from Iowa him to the national contest.

“I didn’t think about it,” the freshman said about going this far with his efforts in FFA when the school year started. “I didn’t even know what was in the creed.”

According to FFA history, the creed was written in 1928 by Erwin Milton Tiffany, who was the chief teacher in the Department of Agricultural Education at the University of Wisconsin. Tiffany was developing an exhibit for the first FFA convention. The creed explains the purpose of FFA.

During his contests, Tucker had to recite the 258-word speech from memory. Rohrig said to help him memorize he wrote it down, recited it out loud to himself and watched videos of others speaking.

“I try to emphasize parts of it,” he said, which gives his presentation some emotion and spirit.

Earlier this year, Rohrig competed and won two contests that eventually took him to the state convention. Judges determine a winner based on each contestant’s delivery of the creed.

Winning the district contest, which state qualified him, “was a real surprise,” Rohrig said. “That was awesome.”

The state contest, held at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, was not like prior contests. Rohrig said he had to wait about two hours until it was his turn.

“There are still three judges, but a crowd of people behind them,” he said.

Rohrig said his strength behind his performance was fueled by a few words in the creed itself. The part that goes, “I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining,” is what Rohrig said he believes.

“It shows to work hard for what you strive for,” he said.

The 93rd National FFA Convention is scheduled Oct. 27 to 30 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rohrig said he will recite the creed a few times until then.

“I’ll keep it in the back of my head,” he said.

Rohrig’s win was one of several highlights for the Creston chapter at the state convention.

Josie Travis was recognized as a Star Over Iowa in agribusiness. The Stars Over Iowa award program recognizes FFA members who have outstanding involvement in all components of the three-circle model: classroom/laboratory, supervised agriculture experiences and FFA.

“That’s a big honor,” said chapter advisor Kelsey Bailey about Travis. “We’re blessed.”

Morgan Van Gelder was second in the state for the Greenhand knowledge quiz. Ag team sales received a silver placing. Ag issues received silver, farm management received a bronze and the chapter display got a bronze.

In Supervised Agriculture Experience proficiencies, Josie Travis received gold in Ag Services, Halle Evans earned gold in Diversified Livestock and Logan Hoakison finished with bronze in Diversified Crop Production Placement.

Eight juniors received the Iowa FFA Degree, the highest honor the Iowa Association awards members: Tyler Loudon, Morgan Driskell, Anna Mikkelsen, Mallory Tallmon, Halle Evans, Josie Travis, Kate Foglesong and Logan Hoakison.

During the state convention Bailey said Creston members helped package 250,000 meals for those in need for Meals from the Heartland.

“There is a service piece to FFA,” she said.

Bailey said the state FFA convention finishes a school year that began with so much uncertainty. There were many unknowns over how much FFA would do this year because the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bailey said she and members turned creative to find ways for FFA to continue its purpose and service.

“We had outdoor meetings followed with games,” she said. Having outdoor events lessens the threat to spread COVID. “And we also met more members’ families. We call ourselves a family. This year we made it a family.”

For the holidays, the FFA chapter created a drive-through Christmas light display at the Union County Fairgrounds. The chapter also accepted donations that totaled $13,500 that will go back into the fairgrounds. The light show replaced the annual decorations at the Creston Depot where Santa Claus meets the kids.

“Our opportunity to serve was taken away,” Bailey said of how the pandemic cancelled many things down the list.

She expects the fairgrounds lights as a new tradition for the chapter.

Bailey said this year’s seniors had a unique experience with school and FFA because of COVID.

“I hope the seniors feel good about what they are leaving behind,” she said.

Earlier this week, the chapter planted trees, like it annually does in the fall and spring.

She hopes those events will educate the members on appreciating opportunity.

“Don’t take opportunities for granted,” she said. “That is what it takes for a community. Just don’t live there.”