June 16, 2022 Convention Highlights & Evaluations
2022 - 2023 Illinois FFA State Officer Team
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State President, Rachel Hood - Rushville-Industry FFA Chapter
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State Vice President, Derek Sample - Sesser-Valier FFA Chapter
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State Reporter, Levi Maierhofer - Seneca FFA Chapter
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State Secretary, Haley Bode - Waterloo FFA Chapter
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State Treasurer, Kate Colgan - Princeville FFA Chapter
STATE OFFICER TEAM ELECTED AT ILLINOIS FFA CONVENTION
SPRINGFIELD – The 2022-2023 Illinois State Officer Team was elected Thursday morning, June 16, via online and in-person voting during the 94th annual Illinois FFA State Convention. The officers were installed immediately following the election and will serve the Illinois Association FFA for the next 12 months.
The newly elected officers are:
President: Rachel Hood, 18, of Industry (McDonough County) and the Rushville-Industry FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Steve and Lisa Hood and a 2022 graduate of Rushville-Industry High School. “My mission as a state officer is to serve all FFA members with inclusivity, compassion, and excitement,” Hood says. “I want to inspire them to live each day pursuing what they’re passionate about and leading a life of fulfillment.”
Vice President: Derek Sample, 18, of Sesser (Franklin County) and the Sesser-Valier FFA Chapter. The son of Jason and Heather Sample, Derek is a 2021 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School and enrolled at Rend Lake College in agricultural education. “Being from a small chapter, I know challenges exist when there’s a gap between small chapters and the larger FFA organization,” Sample says. “As a state officer, I want to bridge this gap and make sure members take advantage of all the opportunities the FFA has to offer.”
Reporter: Levi Maierhofer, 19, of Seneca (LaSalle County) and the Seneca FFA Chapter. The son of Jeff and Jenna Maierhofer, Levi is a 2021 graduate of Seneca High School and attended Joliet Junior College in sports broadcasting. “Neither life nor the FFA is the Olympics. Success is not a pedestal; it’s a step forward,” Maierhofer says. “I want to help FFA members realize that success is just a few steps away — not up — and inspire them to achieve their own view of success.”
Secretary: Haley Bode, 18, of Waterloo (Monroe County) and the Waterloo FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Timothy and Laura Bode and a 2022 graduate of Waterloo High School. “A person’s purpose changes and adapts as they grow as an individual,” Bode says. “My purpose as a state officer is to advocate for the agriculture industry and help others realize their purpose not only in the National FFA Organization but also to show that every person has their own place within the industry.”
Treasurer: Kate Colgan, 18, of Laura (Peoria County) and the Princeville FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Mark and Maria Colgan and a 2022 graduate of Princeville High School. “As young people, it is our job to use our resources to shape the future of agriculture and bridge the gap between producers and consumers,” Colgan says. “As a state officer, I want to help FFA members and all people feel comfortable with the agricultural industry no matter what their background is.”
The five officers were elected from a group of 10 candidates selected by a committee in early May. Each officer puts their collegiate pursuits on hold for one year as they serve the Illinois Association FFA. Officers typically travel more than 20,000 miles visiting FFA chapters around the state, conducting workshops and meetings, representing Illinois FFA in professional settings, and promoting agricultural education. Since 1929, Illinois has elected a State FFA Officer Team.
2022 National Chapter Award Results:
To view all scores for the 2022 National Chapter Award applications, please click here.
Deductions will be emailed directly to advisors of chapters with any deductions. As for the number of students that Premier Chapter winners will be allowed to send to the Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliates Premier Chapter Award Program, those numbers have not been figured yet, but we will keep you posted on those results
94th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention Evaluation
On behalf of myself, our staff and the 2021 - 2022 Illinois FFA State Officer Team, thank you all for celebrating the 94th Annual Illinois Association FFA State Convention. We hope that you enjoyed the experience!
Please take a moment to reflect upon the 2022 Illinois FFA State Convention and please provide feedback to the Illinois FFA Center staff, officers and FFA Board of Directors. Your feedback and input will prove to be priceless to all of those involved, we appreciate you taking the time to provide this crucial feedback, thank you for completing our 2022 Convention Evaluation.
Click here for the 2022 Illinois FFA State Convention PARENT/GUEST Evaluation.
Click here for the 2022 Illinois FFA State Convention STUDENT Evaluation.
Click here for the 2022 Illinois FFA State Convention ADVISOR Evaluation.
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Mindy Bunselmeyer
Illinois FFA Center
Phone: 217-753-3328 Cell: 217-412-5646
Email: mbunselmeyer@illinoisffa.org
Address: 3221 Northfield, Springfield, IL 62702