A Year of Service for Milan High School FFA Members
Submitted by Jarred Sayre, Milan C-2 FFA Advisor
2025 was a very successful year for the Milan FFA Chapter. Students competed in multiple different contest events and proficiency awards, attended many different events and trips, and served in many different capacities over the course of the year.
In January chapter members began to diligently study to compete in career development events (CDE) and leadership development events (LDE). Students participated in multiple practice events throughout March. The students’ hard work paid off entering into the area III and Northeast District competitions.
In mid-March, Milan LDE teams competed at the Area III contest held at Macon. Chapter members participated in the following: FFA Creed: Memphis Cole and Nayeli Puerto; FFA Knowledge: Farah Trenter, Jaylee Banner, Graeson Proffitt, Jack Claderon; Reporter’s Scrapbook: Amy Pickering, America Ayala, Addison Sylvester, and Lexus Fordyce; Parliamentary Procedure: Samuel Alvarez, Delaney Banner, Hayden Courtney, Avery Sayre, Destiny De Leon, Amber Sayre. Memphis placed second and Nayeli third in creed, both moving on to districts. The knowledge team placed second, securing a place at districts, and the Reporter’s Scrapbook placed first, moving on to state. Parliamentary Procedure placed second, also moving on to districts.
District LDE events were held in Monroe City on March 24th. The Milan FFA Knowledge Team competed and placed second, advancing them to the state events in April. Memphis Cole placed third in FFA creed at districts, moving on to state as well. Northeast District Career Development events were held the first week of April. Teams that competed in the Northeast District CDE are as follows: Entomology: Jara
Sanchez, Kendra Sayre, Chase Frazier, and Gadiel Chavez. They placed 7th, advancing to state. Dairy Cattle Evaluation: Memphis Cole, Mazey Miller, Lillianna Perez, and Kasen Smith. The team placed 12th at districts, making them the alternate to state. Dairy Foods: Emma Browder, Haylee Courtney, Daniel Castaneda, Macie Glidewell. They placed 17th at districts. Farm Management: Delaney Banner, Avery Sayre, Amber Sayre, and Destiny De Leon. They placed 12th. Agronomy: Jasmine Appledorn, Jane Cordero, Isaline Vega, and Marlie Barker. The team placed 10th, advancing to state. Floriculture: Gracie Simpson, Addison Sylvester, Lexus Fordyce, and Amy Pickering. They placed 8th, advancing to state. Soils: America Ayala, Hayden Courtney, Jazmin Cisneroos, and Samuel Alvarez. They placed 11th at districts. Nursery Landscaping: Alexander Hull, Hailey Clay, Alexa Perez, Hayden Herzburg. They placed 12th. Poultry: Caleb Axume, Vanessa Mulaba, Jazella Bahena, Nayeli Puerto. They placed 14th.
There were many successes for Milan FFA at State FFA Convention in Columbia this year. Delaney Banner, Destiny De Leon, Tony Linhart, Amy Pickering, Amber Sayre, Avery Sayre all received their State FFA Degrees. Milan FFA had five area winning proficiencies that competed at state. Delaney Banner won the Area III Food Services proficiency award, Amber Sayre won Area III Agricultural Communications proficiency award, Avery Sayre was awarded the Area III Agriculture Education proficiency award, Tony Linhart won the Area III Beef Production proficiency award. Destiny De Leon was the Area III Diversified Horticulture proficiency award winner and was also selected as the Missouri state winner in her area. At state, the entomology team placed 22nd, floriculture 28th, and agronomy 56th. The Milan FFA Knowledge team placed second at state, with Jaylee Banner being the second high individual in the state. Memphis Cole competed in creed again and placed third overall in the state.
In June, Jaylee Banner attended HYMAX Academy at Camp Rising Sun. Jaylee was selected based on her leadership skills and potential and came back with many new experiences and ideas to share with the chapter.
Milan FFA members Lexus Fordyce, Hayden Courtney, Jazmin Cisneros, America Ayala, Addison Sylvester, Gracie Simpson, Hailey Clay, Kendra Sayre, Jara Sanchez, and Ethan Pearce all attended Washington Leadership Conference in June, earning the experience to travel to Washington D.C. for a week.
Milan FFA members had an outstanding summer exhibiting livestock, horticultural, and shop projects at numerous fairs throughout the state, winning several awards throughout the season. Chapter advisors kept busy making SAE visits and meeting with incoming members.
Memphis Cole exhibited swine at the Sullivan County Fair and Missouri State Fair. Kimber McCabe and America Ayala exhibited rabbits at the Sullivan County Fair. Amber Sayre exhibited her terrariums at the county fair. Addison Sylvester, Hayden Courtney, Gracie Simpson, and Lexus Fordyce all competed at the Missouri State Fair with FFA projects.
The trap shooting team began practicing as soon as school started. Making up this year’s A Team were Troy Aldridge, Graeson Proffitt, Hayden Courtney, Ethan Forrester, and Ry Pinnick. The B Team consisted of Gunner Sims, Ethan Pearce, Nash Gardner, Rhett Weter, and Luke Baxter. Kix Menza was the alternate. The trap team shot at four local shoots before the Area III shoot.
The annual worker auction was held in the fall where 36 members volunteered their time to benefit the chapter. We are thankful for the support of our local community members at this event.
The chapter held its annual FFA Blood Drive in October. They were thankful to have such a great turnout for this event, with 20 usable units successfully obtained, which will help save 40 people’s lives. They would once again like to thank the American Red Cross for all their help with this activity.
The 98th Annual National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, where 20 Milan FFA members were able to attend. Members were able to attend many sessions, the FFA/Agriculture Career Show, and the Ella Langley concert. Students attending were: Gadiel Chavez, Haylee Courtney, Lexus Fordyce, Jaylee Banner, Nina Eddy, Gracie SImpson,Farah Trenter, Jasmine Appledorn, Kendra Sayre, Addison Sylvester, Jara Sanchez, Samuel Alvarez, Hailey Clay, Noah Sinclair, Nash Gardner, Jazmin Cisneros, Yaretzi Ortega, Ethan Pearce, America Ayala, and Adrianna Rimson. Avery Pickering, Jackson Smith, Kamden DeRyke, and Lane Fordyce all received their American FFA Degrees. Destiny De Leon was a top four finalist in the Diversified Horticulture proficiency award and was awarded a pin on stage. Ethan Pearce and Samuel Alvarez competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in the Social Sciences division IV, placing 7th in the nation.
November also included the Milan C-2 FFA Veteran’s Day Assembly. Milan C-2 Elementary Choir performed at the ceremony. This year, the senior FFA officers gave very personal and heartfelt speeches on their individual feelings and beliefs about Veterans Day, the four creed speakers introduced each of the four branches of the military, and the remainder of the officers completed the ceremony.
In December, members began perfecting their record books to get a head start on filling out applications for State FFA Degrees and proficiency awards. Potential State FFA Degree recipients from Milan are Addison Sylvester, Jazmin Cisneros, Lexus Fordyce, Hayden Courtney, Troy Aldridge, and America Ayala.
February 21-27 is National FFA week. This year’s activities include: Sunday – FFA Sunday; Tuesday – BBQ Dad vs Soccer Mom; Wednesday – Truck and Tractor Day; Thursday – Celebrate the American Farmer; Friday – Blue and Gold/Alumni Appreciation Day. Members will be hosting their annual Community Breakfast on February 20th at the Community Center from 6:30-8:00 am.
Throughout this past year the FFA chapter has helped out the community in numerous ways- it is too hard to count them all. The students have remained active in their organization, school and community.
2025 was a year filled with many opportunities for success and growth within the Milan FFA Chapter. Members continually demonstrated commitment to the FFA motto as they carried themselves throughout the year, and plan to maintain this strong tradition of leadership and growth within this upcoming year and beyond.
