WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana FFA has a new state officer team for the upcoming academic year. The seven-member group will be lead by President Kaitlyn Maruszewski, of the Tri-Central FFA chapter.

The rest of the team is Lauren Argotte, secretary, Lebanon chapter; Erianna Vela, northern region vice president, Prairie Heights chapter; Calvin Myers, southern region vice president, Bloomfield chapter; Lily Sloan, treasurer, Jennings County chapter; Jenna Lawler, reporter, Rushville chapter; and Jesus Santana, sentinel, North Miami chapter.

The officers were elected June 19 during the last day of the 96th state convention in West Lafayette.

Maruszewski has served as state Section II director and District V vice president, according to Indiana FFA. She operates ByKaitlynDesigns, which started as a small online shop on Etsy where she sold propagated houseplants, the organization said. Her business has expanded to include such products and services as plant care consultations, instructional classes on plant propagation and house calls to help clients with their plants.

Other awards and honors were handed out during the convention.

State Stars were announced in four areas: Farmer, Agricultural Placement, Agribusiness and Agriscience. Each recipient received a $250 scholarship.

The Star Farmer is Kord Bailey, of the Central Noble FFA chapter. He has turned his passion for livestock into a thriving show goat operation, growing his herd from just a few goats to more than 70.

Emma Woodall, of the South Putnam FFA chapter, was chosen Star in Agricultural Placement. She is a skilled veterinary technician assistant and hopes to be a large animal veterinarian, according to a press release.

Maruszewski was named Star in Agribusiness. She turned her interest in welding into a thriving placement supervised agricultural experience, or SAE, gaining hands-on experience in metal fabrication and equipment repair, the release noted.

The Star in Agriscience went to Christina Caldwell, of the Connersville FFA chapter. She conducted six agriscience research projects across animal, plant, food and social sciences to better understand and improve agriculture education, the release said.

Randy Barbee was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional service and monetary support to the Indiana FFA Foundation, FFA said in a press release.

Barbee has supported the foundation for 37 years through her career at Farm Credit Mid America as the community investment manager. This initiative “strengthens rural communities and empowers the next generation of agricultural leaders,” the organization said. “Her unwavering commitment to youth development and agriculture education has made a lasting impact.”

She plans to retire in July.

Four people received Honorary Hoosier Degrees: Kendell Culp, Jeff Miller, and Glenn and Theresa Noll.

Culp is vice president of the Indiana Farm Bureau and is a member of Indiana’s House of Representatives. He represents the 16th Congressional District and is an FFA alumnus.

Miller is agricultural educator and FFA adviser at Sullivan High School. He will retire this year after 41 years in the classroom.

Glenn Noll serves as chair of the Indiana FFA Ag Sales contest committee, and is a past superintendent of the National Ag Sales contest committee. Theresa Noll is the current superintendent of the national contest.

Indiana FFA has more than 14,000 members in 230 chapters.