Taylorville FFA Member named National Finalist

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) – The Taylorville FFA is home to a National Finalist for the American Star program as a part of the American FFA Degree program.

FFA member Lizzie Schafer has been recognized as a National FFA American Star Finalist in the Agriscience Category, one of just four in the nation.

The American Star Awards represent the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The award recognizes FFA members who have developed outstanding agricultural skills and competencies by completing an SAE program.

An SAE is a required activity in FFA, and it allows members to learn by doing. Members can own and operate an agricultural business, intern at an agricultural business, or conduct an agriculture-based scientific experiment and report the results.

Lizzie’s FFA SAE program included research projects in agriculture over five separate years. She is currently a Junior at Kansas State University and is studying both animal science and agricultural communications.

She will interview with a panel of judges and will be featured on stage, where the announcement for the National Winner for the American Star Finalists will be announced at the National FFA Convention from October 23rd to October 26th in Indianapolis.

Lizzie isn’t the only FFA member receiving recognition. FFA member Waylon Paulek also has been announced as a National Finalist in the category of diversified agriculture production based on his record keeping books. He has SAEs in Beef, Goat, Corn and Soybean production. He was also named the Star over Illinois in Agricultural Placement.

Sophomores Luke Short and Beacon Shanks are also being recognized for their work in researching how wildlife repellent impacts native plant growth. The pair are Top 10 Finalists in their division and will present in the National FFA Agriscience Fair at convention. This summer, they recently took their research from the Greenhouse and applied it to a 160 acre field plot.

FFA Advisor Sue Schafer is immensely proud of the FFA members and her chapter as a whole.

“It’s been incredible the last few years. This is not easy to do,” said Schaffer.

The Taylorville FFA Chapter has won numerous state and national awards and recognition.

“Our success is largely in part due to the community. They are amazing and they help make it happen.”

Schafer credits the members for having a passion to keep the success going.

“Success breeds success, and it doesn’t always mean winning awards. The FFA members have a great work ethic, and they are always wanting to improve. Our members are giving their everything from receiving National awards down to being a part of community events such as the pork chop supper, shucking corn for the corn dinner and just helping out in the community.”

Last year, the Taylorville FFA also had a National Finalist for the American Star Farmer award .

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