Carrier Mills-Stonefort FFA honored at state convention

SPRINGFIELD - The Carrier Mills-Stonefort Future Farmers of America program was recently honored at the State FFA Convention.

Members of the Carrier Mills-Stonefort FFA chapter, along with FFA sponsor Darin DeNeal, attended the 90th annual Illinois State FFA Convention on June 12, 13, and 14 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests.

"Be Bold" was the theme of the three-day event which recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.

Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses, an evening dance and talent show, and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois' capital city. The convention's 2018 service project benefitted children through "The Crayon Initiative," which collects old, used crayons and creates new ones for distribution to art programs at children's hospitals across the nation.

The convention program featured addresses by National FFA Southern Region vice president Ian Bennett of Georgia and from each of the retiring major state officers.

During the convention, the CMSF chapter was recognized as a newly chartered FFA program in the past year. Carrier Mills-Stonefort FFA joins the community of Illinois FFA chapters, which currently numbers 333. CMSF FFA members Brayden Edwards, Lauren Hancock, and Allie Isom participated in the convention.