Members of the Kewanee FFA chapter made a strong showing at the 97th annual Illinois FFA State Convention, joining over 7,000 participants in Springfield from June 10th to 12th. This year’s theme, “The Final Mission,” encourages members to reflect on their FFA journeys and leadership growth. Over three days, participants will be recognized for outstanding accomplishments, with awards presented, and future leaders chosen as the major state officer team is elected. The convention celebrates the vital role of agriculture in Illinois, offering workshops and keynote speeches to inspire the next generation. Organizers say the event strengthens FFA’s commitment to education, community service, and the continued success of local farming initiatives.
Several members achieved top honors: Kashen Ellerbrock, Kalleigh Gale, Jaxon Janey, and Payton Ouart received Illinois State FFA Degrees, an accolade only earned by about 2% of state members. Rachel DeRycke, Abigail DeSchepper, and Emma Evans were recognized for the prestigious American FFA Degree, to be conferred nationally in October. Kalleigh Gale stood out as a Top 10 Chapter President and Food Service Proficiency Winner, while the chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and ranked 16th in Illinois.
According to the release, Kewanee FFA students achieved the following accolades:
Illinois State FFA Degree: Kashen Ellerbrock, Kalleigh Gale, Jaxon Janey, and Payton Ouart were conferred with State FFA Degrees by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements, including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.
American FFA Degree: Rachel DeRycke, Abigail DeSchepper, and Emma Evans were recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2025 American FFA Degrees will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.
Top 10 Chapter President: Kalleigh Gale was recognized as one of the ten outstanding chapter presidents in the state who achieved the highest degree of excellence during their year of service to their chapter. The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders sponsors the Top 10 Chapter Presidents Award.
Food Service Entrepreneurship State Proficiency Winner: Kalleigh Gale was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Food Service – Entrepreneurship. Kalleigh is the daughter of Kraig and Dawn Gale. She is a member of the Kewanee FFA Chapter. For her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Kalleigh owns and operates Cookies by Kalleigh, which she began in 2020 to honor her grandma’s love of baking. She makes, bakes, decorates, and sells homemade sugar cookies. She is responsible for all business decisions, including setting prices and taking orders. While Kalleigh has learned time management, communication, and organizational skills, her favorite part of the business is sharing her passion for baking with her community.
National Chapter Award Finalist: The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall. The Chapter was rated GOLD in all three areas (Growing Leaders, Building Communities, and Strengthening Agriculture) and ranked 16th out of the 389 FFA chapters in Illinois
