Members of the Mount Vernon FFA chapter attended the 98 th annual Illinois State FFA Convention
Members of the Mount Vernon FFA chapter attended the 98 th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 9-11 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2026 theme of “Sparking Your Future,” the three-day event recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture. During the convention, the following awards were presented to the Mount Vernon FFA chapter with photos captured in the Farm Credit Newsroom:
American FFA Degree: Layni Capps and Elias Mullinax were recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2026 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.
Illinois State FFA Degree: Madalynn Adams, Tyler Curry, Brody Elliott, Shaylen Rowland, Hannah Stuehlmeyer, Ava Tolley, and Elizabeth Zirkelbach 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 membersstatewide earn this prestigious recognition.
Growing Leaders National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter’s program of activities, Growing Leaders is designed to encourage the chapter to develop individual and cooperative activities to enhance students’ life skills. The University of Illinois College of ACES is the statewide sponsor of the Growing Leaders National Chapter Award.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 1D-266-A: Colin Toliver, Madalynn Banes, chapter members; Emily Franey, University of Illinois College of ACES
Harvest For All Section Winner: The chapter was recognized for excellence in efforts to fight food insecurity in Illinois through dollars raised, pounds of food donated, and hours volunteered. The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders sponsors the Harvest for All awards.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 1E-266-B: Cheryl Carr and Hailey Spence
Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter’s program of activities, Strengthening Agriculture is designed to encourage opportunities and service for members, such as promoting increased member participation and financial responsibility, creating a positive image, and interacting with support groups and cooperatives through organized activities. Farm Credit Illinois is the statewide sponsor of the Strengthening Agriculture National Chapter Award.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 2A-266-C: Tawneley Hall and Hannah Stuehlmeyer
Agriscience Animal Systems Division Winner: Shaylen Rowland was recognized as a top participant in one of the six categories of the Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair with a research project titled, “Technology vs. Time: A Comparative Study of Equine Tendon Healing Methods” Students gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises and use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. CF Industries Foundation sponsors FFA’s Agriscience Fair.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 3D-266-D: Shaylen Rowland
Agriscience Social Systems Division Winner: Ava Tolley was recognized as a top participant in one of the six categories of the Illinois FFA Agriscience Fair with a research project titled, “Exploring the Perspectives & Reasons of School Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) Teachers Who Have Left the Profession”. CF Industries Foundation sponsors FFA’s Agriscience Fair.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 3D-266-E: Ava Tolley
Equine Science Entrepreneurship State Proficiency Winner: Shaylen Rowland was selected as the 2026 State FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science – Entrepreneurship. Shaylen is the daughter of Chris and Randa Rowland. She is a member of the Mount Vernon FFA Chapter, advised by Cherie Rogier and Wyatt Capps. For her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Shaylen manages and cares for five horses, including daily care, veterinary treatments, and show preparation, while also focusing on equine health and sports medicine. She tracks wellness practices, rehabilitation methods, and performance outcomes to better understand what keeps horses at their highest level. She has developed recordkeeping and decision-making skills and plans to pursue a career in equine sports medicine.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 3E-266-F: Chris and Randa Rowland, parents; Shaylen Rowland; Cherie Rogier and Wyatt Capps, advisors
Cherie Rogier and Wyatt Capps, advisors Foundation $6,000 Club Award: The chapter was recognized for coordinating a local campaign for the Illinois Foundation FFA which raised at least $6,000.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 3J-266-G: Aily Wright and Kloee Crooker
Honorary State Illinois FFA Degree: Cherie Rogier, chapter advisor, was conferred with an Honorary State FFA Degree by the Illinois Association FFA for outstanding service to agricultural education and FFA programs.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 4F-266-H: Cherie Rogier
State Winner Horse Evaluation (non-reasons) Career Development Event: The chapter was recognized for winning the state Horse Evaluation CDE, which requires team members to evaluate and rank horses based on breed characteristics, conformation, and performance.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 5B-266-I: Shaylen Rowland, Ava Tate, Connallie Wilkey, and Tatum Wilson
State Premier Chapter Award Section Winner: The State Premier Chapter Award is given to the chapter in the section with the highest overall score on the National Chapter Award application. The Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies Youth Education in Agriculture Committee sponsors the State Premier Chapter Awards.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 5C-266-J: Briar Tate and Clayton Jones
State Top 5 & 2nd Runner-Up Premier Chapter Award: The Premier Chapter Award is given to the chapter in each section with the highest overall score on the National Chapter Award application. The State Top 5 recognition is awarded to the section winners with the highest scores in each of the five districts throughout the State of Illinois. The Illinois Farm Bureau Family of Companies Youth Education in Agriculture Committee sponsors the Premier Chapter Awards. The chapter was also named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete this fall at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Pictured above (from L to R) in photo 5E-266-K: Ava Tate and Briley Dent
Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel, of Nebraska, and from each of the retiring major state officers.
