Essex Tech Students Earn Top Honors at National FFA Convention & Expo
HATHORNE – Superintendent Heidi Riccio and Principal Shannon Donnelly are pleased to share that Essex Tech students attended the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis and returned with team and individual honors.
Essex Tech students competed at local and state levels to earn the privilege of representing Massachusetts at the event.
The Essex Tech team received a Silver Team Emblem in Environmental and Natural Resources. During the event students apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations, focusing on problem-solving and decision-making skills in environmental and natural resources. These areas concentrate on soil profiles, water quality, waste management, and the use of global positioning units.
Team members Kassidy Gamerdinger of Woburn, Jessica Hickey of Tewksbury, Erin Morgan of Tewksbury, and Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal of Lynn were coached by Equine Science Teacher Clarice Mensale.
Hammerschmitt Le Gal received a Silver Individual Emblem, while Gamerdinger was awarded a Bronze Individual Emblem.
Savannah White of Melrose, coached by English Teacher Joyce Kimani, won an Individual Bronze Emblem in Prepared Public Speaking. The National FFA Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event recognizes FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue, in a well-thought-out and logical manner, and in a competitive setting. Members prepare and deliver an eight- to 10-minute speech from memory and respond to five minutes of questions.
“Essex FFA has a rich history in providing agricultural education to our students on the North Shore. We are excited to be able to represent our school at the national competition and earn multiple awards,” Superintendent Dr. Riccio said.
Essex Tech FFA Officers Kayla Dundon of Burlington, Gwendolynn Therrien of Methuen, and Sophia Roderick of Woburn also attended the Convention & Expo.
“Congratulations to our FFA Silver and Bronze medalists. I want to commend our students for all the hard work and dedication it took to achieve this recognition. I am so proud of the way they represented the Essex FFA Chapter at the National level,” Principal Donnelly said.
This event, held Oct. 27-30, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis and Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, Indiana, is one of many educational activities at the national convention in which FFA members practice the lessons learned in agricultural education classes.
Essex Tech students and coaches attended the 94th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. From left, front row, Gwendolynn Therrien, Erin Morgan; second row, Sustainable Horticulture Teacher Jillian Plante, Sophia Roderick, Kassidy Gamerdinger; third row, Equine Science Teacher Clarice Mensale, Jessica Hickey, Savannah White; fourth row, Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal, Essex Tech alumni Kristen Kish, Kayla Dundon. (Photo Courtesy Essex Tech)