Delegates from FFA chapters across Louisiana voted on June 2, to elect the 2021-2022 State Officer Team. For the second time in its 92 year history, the election took place virtually via the Louisiana FFA website, an accommodation necessitated by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The annual state convention happened in a modified in-person format on June 7, through June 10.
Fourteen candidates from around the state vied for ten positions. The candidates participated in a virtual State Nominating Committee on May 29, and May 30, in which they faced an interview panel made of FFA members and agricultural industry representatives. The candidates answered questions to test their FFA and agricultural knowledge, developed and delivered speeches and completed a group activity to evaluate their planning and cooperation skills.
Based on these interviews, the committee nominated a slate of 10 candidates. These candidates were unopposed and were officially elected on June 2.
The 2021-2022 Louisiana FFA State Officer Team includes:
•President – Peyton Little, Winnfield
•Secretary – Haley Faciane, Ponchatoula
•Vice President – Kassidy Kelley, Ruston
•Vice President – Bryson Johnson, Tioga
•Vice President – Cesilee Oliver, Kinder
•Vice President – Kylee Triche, Central Lafourche
•Treasurer – Kennedy Pellerin, Acadiana
•Reporter – Emmerson Lyons, Beau Chene
•Sentinel – Parker Carlino, Winnfield
•Parliamentarian – Abbygail Davis, Pearl River
The new team’s term will run through June 2022.
Oliver, the daughter of Boo and Jodi Oliver, won first place at the state level for Swine Placement, FFA proficiency award. Proficiency Awards are awarded to FFA members who, through their supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students can compete for awards in almost 50 areas covering everything from agricultural communications to wildlife management. There are four types of proficiency awards: placement, entrepreneurship, combined and agriscience research.
Oliver received her FFA degree. FFA members can earn degrees as they progress through the phases of their leadership, academic and career skills development. The Discovery Degree, Greenhand Degree and Chapter FFA Degree are all earned at the chapter level. The State FFA Degree is given to the top members of a State FFA Association. To receive a State FFA Degree members must meet the requirements listed in the Official FFA Manual. This is the highest honor once can receive at the state level of competition.
Louisiana FFA relies on the support of exceptional teachers, individuals and organizations to provide life-changing experiences for its members. Honorary State FFA degrees are given to people who have rendered outstanding service to Louisiana FFA and agriculture both in and out of the classroom.
Oliver will go on to compete at the national level in her proficiency area.
