WAYNE COUNTY, NC – Wayne County Public Schools students brought home an impressive list of awards and recognitions after representing their schools at the 97th North Carolina FFA State Convention.
Throughout the week, FFA members from across Wayne County participated in competitions, leadership workshops, career development events, and recognition ceremonies while showcasing their agricultural knowledge and leadership alongside students from across the state.
Aycock High School
Aycock High School students competed in the Floriculture, Agricultural Mechanics, and Tool Identification Career Development Events.
Ryleigh LeGrand and Lauren Merkley earned their State FFA Degrees, while LeGrand also served on the State Convention Courtesy Corps.
Eastern Wayne High School
Eastern Wayne High School received numerous honors during the convention.
Mallory Reed earned second-place finishes in both the Fruit & Nut Production and Nursery Operations Proficiency Awards. The chapter was also recognized as a National Chapter Gold Star Chapter.
Mallory Reed, Madison Gurley, and Jayden Penny each received the prestigious Old North State FFA Degree, while Hannah Lee was recognized as a candidate for the American FFA Degree.
T’Mya Parker and Brianda Lopez-Hernandez placed third in the Agriscience Fair – Food Products & Processing, Division 6.
Eastern Wayne also had seven students selected to serve on the State Convention Courtesy Corps—the most of any FFA chapter in North Carolina. Alyssa Anderson, Anarie Baker-Ellerby, Kaylee Fitton, Raquel Ortiz Rodriguez, Mallory Reed, Chariece Wagner, and Reagan Wortman represented the chapter through service and leadership during the convention.
Rosewood High School
Rosewood High School’s FFA team of Abigail Cross, Caiden Rollins, James Odom, and Sarah Overman competed in the Agronomy Career Development Event, finishing 18th in the state and fifth in the Southeast Region.
Sarah Overman also earned her State FFA Degree during the convention.
Southern Wayne High School
Southern Wayne High School members participated in convention sessions and leadership workshops while celebrating several achievements.
Emma Kornegay earned her State FFA Degree, and Southern Wayne FFA was recognized as a National Chapter Silver Award winner.
The chapter also welcomed back alumna Haley Wingate, who returned to present a leadership workshop for convention attendees.
Spring Creek High School
Spring Creek High School competed in the Meat Evaluation, Milk Quality, Agronomy, and Quiz Bowl Career Development Events.
Emma-Scott Hardy represented the school in Prepared Public Speaking, while Alexis Deitz and Gedardo Lopez-Castro served as Chapter Delegates.
Eva Kate Davis and Alexis Deitz each earned their State FFA Degrees.
Honorary State FFA Degree
Wayne County Public Schools also celebrated Michael Smith, president of the Eastern Wayne FFA Alumni & Supporters, who received the Honorary State FFA Degree. The award is one of the highest honors presented to adults who have made outstanding contributions to agricultural education and FFA.
School officials praised all of the students, advisors, alumni, and supporters for representing Wayne County Public Schools Career and Technical Education with excellence throughout the convention.
From state-level competitions and leadership workshops to service opportunities and prestigious degree recognitions, Wayne County’s FFA members demonstrated the leadership, dedication, and agricultural knowledge that continue to make the district a leader in agricultural education across North Carolina.
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