FFA Advisor Rick Swenson and seniors Alex Peck, Shannon Sutfin, Katy McKee and Courtney Latcham are pleased with placing fourth overall in Business Management at the National FFA competition in Indianapolis, Ind. (Craig Latcham photo)
by Courtney Latcham, Shannon Sutfin, Katy McKee and Alex Peck
“Your fourth place national Business Management Team is the FFA Chapter of Montezuma, Iowa.”
Once those words were spoken, we realized our work was officially done. Ever since the beginning of July our Business Management team, consisting of Shannon Sutfin, Katurah McKee, Courtney Latcham and Alex Peck, has been diligently working and studying for the national competition.
Hours of reviewing old tests and taking new tests occupied our lives for the past four months and provided us with a large amount of stress.
By the time October came around we started to work even harder as nationals was quickly approaching. Many nights and weekends were spent at the school working around the clock.
On Monday, October 18, following the regional volleyball victory over the North Mahaska Warhawks, the volleyball portion of the team loaded up and headed to Indianapolis, Ind. for a week of studying, preparing and eventually, celebrating.
On Tuesday, after arriving at 4 a.m., the preparation began as we broke out the practice tests for a day of focusing and concentrating. We knew what to expect with this being our second year of nationals competition, but of course this year did bring new situations. We all knew to study as much as possible.
The next two days were filled with stress, suspension and hours of thinking. We had a three-hour individual test on Wednesday and an hour and a half team activity on Thursday.
We were ready to get both tests over with but we took our time working as hard as possible while believing in each other and ourselves. Finally, Friday came when we found out how we did personally and as a team, receiving fourth out of 42, with our families and FFA advisor Rick Swenson.
Individually, Courtney Latcham placed 5th overall and received a $1000 scholarship, Alex Peck placed 14th, Shannon Sutfin placed 42nd an d Katy McKee placed 91st. Latcham, Sutfin and Peck received gold while McKee was awarded silver.
Leaving the banquet we all were looking forward to a few-hours nap back in our home away from home beds under heavenly comforters.
The few days we were there was somewhat stressful and nerve racking but we got to see so much and learn new things. From going to a haunted house on Thursday night to a walk downtown with everyone on Friday night was a blast and all of us can agree, we deserved it.
Our trip was about competing at our best potential with all the information we learned through the past several months. It was also about representing our state, school and community and being proud of each other at the same time. We could not have accomplished anything without the community’s support along with our teachers and parents.
As seniors, it was a great last national FFA trip and we will never forget the headaches, laughs and memorable moments we made together.
Ag Sales
by Alexis Ferguson
With a group of six girls, nerves are always going to play a large role in any type of competition. Weight was lifted from the shoulders of the Montezuma FFA Ag Sales Team after hearing the words “Montezuma, Iowa FFA Chapter, 11th Place” come from the speaker’s mouth. After months of early mornings, late nights and hard work all of the work was paid off.
The Montezuma sales team competed on Oct. 20 and 21 at the National FFA convention. Shena Bryan, Alexis Ferguson, Kendra Doty and Kendra Cranston, along with the support of alternates Breanna Johnson and Bridgette Moore, participated in a sales call, a practicum, written test, and a team activity.
The Ag Sales team sold Heartland's Healthy Salsa, a 100% organic product. The eleventh place team had two high finishers, Alexis Ferguson taking 20th place individually and Kendra Cranston taking 27th.
After competing hard against 40 teams for many days, the team got to relax with fellow FFA members.
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