MARION, Iowa — As one of only nine students chosen from Iowa to sing in the National FFA Chorus at this week’s 80th annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind., Jayna Shetterly will have plenty more memories to stock up as she highlights her senior year.

As one of 80 FFA high school students selected from across the nation to participate in the National FFA Chorus, Shetterly is actually somewhat of a veteran singer.

“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” said the Linn-Mar High School senior alto, who also sings in the Linn-Mar Chorale. A second-year member of the State FFA Chorus, she was also a member of Opus Honor Choir in 5th grade, and sang in Discovery Chorus with the nationally-recognized Cedar Rapids Symphony in 4th and 5th grade.

When she’s not working at the local fast food restaurant, Shetterly – who lives with her family on an acreage in rural Marion – is nurturing her interest in horses.

“I got involved in FFA because when they came to our middle school, I thought it sounded like a good idea,” said Shetterly, who has been an FFA member for four years and now serves as the school’s FFA chapter vice president. “I always wanted to do an activity that involved animals.”

Barb Lemmer, Linn-Mar High School FFA advisor, said Shetterly exemplifies the kinds of unique qualities that define the true character of an FFA student.

“Jayna has excellent leadership skills,” Lemmer said.

“She has demonstrated leadership in other school activities such as drama, speech, LMTV production and music.

“She is organized, responsible, friendly and an especially hard worker,” she said. “She always does her best and is willing to help others succeed as well.”

Lemmer said three girls and four boys in grades 9-12 from the Linn-Mar Chapter will be at this week’s event. “This will be the first convention that freshmen will be attending from the Linn-Mar FFA Chapter,” she said. “They are looking forward to the convention.”

Two Linn-Mar graduate members – Alec Munier, Northeast District State vice president, who’s an official delegate for the Iowa FFA Assoc., and Dustin Wickman – will be receiving their American FFA Degrees on Saturday morning, Lemmer added.