The Tyrone FFA Chapter achieved remarkable success, earning the National Chapter Award, placing fourth overall and winning the Strengthening Agriculture Division.

The National Chapter Award Program recognizes FFA chapters that effectively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. By adhering to the National Quality Chapter Standards and a Program of Activities focused on growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture, these chapters enhance their operations and provide educational experiences for all members.

Tyrone FFA members excelled in various competitions, including the Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event. The team, composed of Janice Gilliland, Frances Weaver, Alyssa Houck and Sarah Zimmerman, with Aubrey Biter as an alternate, brought home the win.

Additionally, five state winners were recognized in the Agriscience Fair: Paige Hoy, Nora Hoy, Aubrey Biter, Frances Weaver and Cassidy Fleck.

From left (front row): Josie Dicken, Cassidy Fleck and Bailey Woomer and (back row): Wyatt Walls (alternate) and John Eaken achieved fifth place in the state for Meat Evaluation CDE. This event provides students with a deep understanding of the meat animal industry, equipping them with essential employment skills and knowledge about meat products. Participants enhance their analytical skills, critical thinking and meat terminology understanding, all vital for optimizing economic returns and addressing consumer needs. The event encourages cooperation, communication and the evaluation of meat products through various individual and team activities.

The Floriculture team (Gracie Graham, Nora Hoy, Paige Hoy and Carlie Nowlin) will represent Tyrone at the Eastern States Exposition in Massachusetts in September after placing second in their event.

The Meats Evaluation team (Josie Dicken, Cassidy Fleck, John Eaken and Bailey Woomer, with Wyatt Walls as an alternate) secured fifth place in the state. Notable individual achievements included Janice Gilliland’s third place in Livestock and Nora Hoy’s second place in Floriculture.

Career and Leadership Development Events provide FFA members opportunities to showcase their knowledge and skills in areas vital to the agriculture industry. These events foster college and career readiness, enhance communication and problem-solving skills and promote personal and professional growth.

Nora Hoy was honored as the State Proficiency Winner in Agriscience Research-Integrated Systems. Agricultural Proficiency awards recognize individual skills and career-based competencies developed through Supervised Agricultural Experience projects. To qualify for an agricultural proficiency award, SAEs must be agricultural in nature and align with at least one nationally recognized agriculture, food, and natural resource pathway. Nora also placed fourth in the Prepared Public Speaking event.

The state-winning team and individual awardees will advance to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from Oct. 29 to Nov.1.

From left, Janice Gilliland (third place individual overall), Frances Weaver, Sarah Zimmerman and Alyssa Houck earned first place as a team in the livestock evaluation event. They gained hands-on experience in assessing and selecting livestock, including beef cattle, swine, sheep and meat goats. The event focused on making accurate observations, identifying desirable traits and making informed decisions. Participants also engaged in discussions to defend their choices, understand industry standards and communicate effectively using industry terminology.

In addition to competitions, students at the Pennsylvania FFA State Convention engage in numerous activities that foster leadership and personal growth. Reilly Rawlings represented the Tyrone Area FFA Chapter as a delegate, a role that involves sharing insights and opinions from their home chapter, making decisions in the best interest of Pennsylvania FFA members and contributing new ideas to state leadership.

State Convention and Activities Week also offers meaningful opportunities for fellowship, allowing students to build lasting friendships and collaborate with peers statewide. These experiences embody the core mission of FFA — developing premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

The chapter acknowledged the following sponsors:

Livestock CDE — DelGrosso’s, PA Pork Producers Council, PA Beef Council.

Floriculture CDE — PA FFA Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Courtesy photos From left, Nora Hoy (second individual overall), Paige Hoy, Carlie Nowlin and Gracie Graham proudly represented their team by securing 2nd place in the State Floriculture event in June. This event fosters career interest in the floriculture industry through leadership and hands-on technical skills. Floriculture includes the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for gardens and the floral industry, covering greenhouse and field production, garden center management, and floral design.

Meat Evaluation CDE — Cargill Hazleton, Cargill Camp Hill, PA Beef Council.

Prepared Public Speaking — Richard Memorial, Sam Hayes, Farm Credit