By ERIC COX
Knighstown Banner Editor

KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. — Recently, eastern Indiana’s Knightstown High School (KHS) experienced a historic milestone when the school hosted its first-ever FFA district contest, inviting students from 15 Hoosier chapters on March 12.

Future farmers from as far away as Northeastern Wayne, Hagerstown, Rushville and Connersville competed with others in District IX.

Those who placed well in the various contests move on to competition at the state convention in June. Contests began at 5:30 p.m. and concluded around 9 p.m. Students ate a catered dinner in the KHS cafeteria after completing demonstrations. An awards ceremony in the auditorium concluded the event.

District IX President Micah Matlock, a Knightstown senior, said the convention was a massive undertaking for the local FFA chapter.
“This being the first time we’ve ever hosted (the contest), it went really smooth,” Matlock said. He and his fellow FFA members, along with Knightstown FFA Advisor Diana Arellano, had to coordinate 50 judges and map out where each contest would take place within the school.

Matlock said it took two months to organize the convention. Working with KHS teachers, administrators, judges from other areas and experienced convention organizers from other schools, local FFA members were able to put on a respected event – the first of its kind in the school’s history. “The way it fell together was almost perfect,” Matlock said. “We were thrilled.”

School buses from distant schools and the cars and trucks of area judges clogged KHS’ south parking lot, while inside FFA members competed for district honors.

As the group of 250 kids waited for judges’ evaluations on final demonstrations, various FFA members exhibited their musical talents on the school’s stage. Northeastern Wayne FFA member William Burke, as well as a quartet from Shenandoah, offered quality song selections. Burke’s original song, “Maybe”, was of particular note, drawing an effusion of applause and cheers from a seemingly grateful audience.

District officers presented dozens of awards, the recipients of which marched dutifully to the stage for plaque presentations and general recognition. District IX officers included President Micah Matlock, Vice President Nellie Bell, Secretary Doug Wicker, Treasurer Karlee Hensley, Reporter Emily Helsley, Sentinel Kyle Thomas and Parliamentarian David Winship.

Also on hand were two of Indiana’s top FFA officers, State President Travis Martin of Flora and State Secretary Blaire Boyer of Tipton.
Myriad contests awaited FFA members upon their arrival at the district convention. In the ag mechanics demonstration area, students waited with a variety of ag-related mechanical items, including a tractor tire and assorted engine parts. In the closed judging area, students would be asked to demonstrate the best way to change a tractor tire, or fix a basic engine problem. Food science demonstrations, essays, job interview, public speaking and quizzes were some of the other contest areas on which FFA members were evaluated.

The district convention is hosted each year by the school of the District IX president. The current District IX president is Matlock. KHS FFA advisor Arellano also serves as District IX advisor.
The evening concluded around 10 p.m., bringing an end to months of preparation by Matlock, Arellano and many others. “I was able to get some sleep the next day,” Matlock said with a laugh. “I was able to relax for a while.”

A few competition winners included the following: Job Interview - Winship, first place (advanced to state), of Knightstown; Ag Communications Team - second place (advanced to state - team members: Casie Conley, Matlock, Thomas, Winship, of Knightstown); Dairy Placement - first place, Matlock (advanced to state); Public Speaking - Conley, third place; Extemporaneous Speaking - Matlock, second place; Leadership Ambassador - Matlock, second place; Scrapbook - Tabitha Foltz, third place; Exhibit Display - second place (Steven Rech, Clynnt Conley, Jacob Shank); Novice Parliamentary Procedure - third place.