Preble High School's FFA Environmental & Natural Resources CDE team represented Wisconsin at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in late October.

This challenging Career Development Event Contest evaluates student skills in natural resource management, environmental science, GPS, water and soil analysis, and ecosystem and land evaluation. This contest not only brings in the best in the nation to show off their talents, but also builds skills that directly connect to careers in environmental science, conservation, and sustainability. The team qualified for Nationals after winning the State Contest last spring.

After countless hours of preparation and practice, Wisconsin earned a Silver Team Award at Nationals. Individual medals were also earned: 

• Gwendolyn Valentine placed as a Gold Individual
• Ryan Ikert placed as a Silver Individual
• Ava Chapman placed as a Silver Individual
• Brynn Vandevelde placed as a Bronze Individual

While on this trip, the team also met with more than 300 companies and colleges, engaged in conversation with students from across the United States, and made two agricultural career industry stops at the Milwaukee Horticulture Domes and Indiana Dunes National Park to explore real-world connections between agriculture, networking, and environmental stewardship.

This team’s dedication, leadership, and passion well-represented Preble High School and the state of Wisconsin. Congratulations, Preble FFA!