More
than 450 FFA members converged on Rutgers University
in New Brunswick for the 71st Annual New Jersey
State FFA Convention. During the three-day convention,
FFA members from across the state gathered to conduct
business and honor fellow members for their achievements.
The high point of the event was the election of
the State FFA Officer team for 2000-2001. The new
state officers are: President - Christiene Chin,
19, Allentown FFA - Christiene is a sophomore
at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, Pa.,
majoring in agricultural education. She was the
1999-00 State FFA Treasurer. Her supervised agricultural
experience program includes landscaping and home
improvement. Vice President - Michael Butler,
17, Newton FFA - Michael is a freshman at Delaware
Valley College in Doylestown, Pa., studying agricultural
education. Michael is the recipient of a $5,000
scholarship from the National FFA Foundation. As
the state level winner, he will also compete in
the National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking
Career Development Event in October in Louisville,
Ky. at the 73rd National FFA Convention. Landscaping
and forestry management are two projects areas
he has engaged in for his supervised agricultural
experience program. Secretary - Michael Brooks,
18, Woodstown FFA - Michael is a freshman at
Cook College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick,
NJ, where he majors in environmental and business
economics. He was recently named the 2000 Star
State Farmer and will compete in the National Dairy
Foods Career Development Event in October in Louisville,
Ky. at the 73rd National FFA Convention. His supervised
agricultural experience program includes working
on his family's 520-acre vegetable farm in Elmer
as well as growing 15-acres of green beans, 10-acres
of spinach and one-half acre of strawberries for
Seabrook Brothers, Inc. Treasurer - Greg Babbitt,
17, Newton FFA - Greg is a senior at Newton
High School where he studies natural resources
as part of the agricultural education curriculum.
As the state level winner, he will compete in the
National Prepared Public Speaking Career Development
Event in October in Louisville, Ky. at the 73rd
National FFA Convention. His supervised agricultural
experience program involves tying flies for a local
sport shop. Reporter - Erin Zukus, 18, Allentown
FFA - Erin is a freshman studying agricultural
education at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown,
Pa. She was recently awarded a state level scholarship
and will also compete in the Agricultural Sales
Career Development Event in October in Louisville,
Ky. at the 73rd National FFA Convention. Her supervised
agricultural experience program involves working
in the horticultural industry. Sentinel - Christopher
Nnadi, 18, Penns Grove FFA - Chris is a freshman
at Cook College, Rutgers University in New Brunswick,
NJ, where he is majoring in plant biotechnology.
He was recently awarded a state level scholarship
in addition to a state proficiency award in the
area of home improvement, which also serves as
his supervised agricultural experience program. Parliamentarian
- Patty Fanella, 18, Newton FFA - Agricultural
education is Patty Fanella's major at Delaware
Valley College in Doylestown, Pa. Patty's Supervised
Agricultural Experience program has included researching
warm-water tilapia, a fish farmed through aquaculture,
as well as working in the green industry at a garden
center.
The
New Jersey State FFA Officer team will travel
thousands of miles this year as they visit New
Jersey's 39 local FFA chapters to promote agricultural
education and the FFA. With more than 2,000 FFA
members statewide, students are developing their
potential for premier leadership, personal growth
and career success through agricultural education. |
