Blue Mountains and Blue Jackets: Fourteen schools attend Eastern Oregon FFA District Convention
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, March 1st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – La Grande played host to a larger than average congregation of corduroy on February 29, as the 2024 Eastern Oregon District FFA convention got underway. Chapters from across the region came together on the EOU campus for a day of education, competition, and entrepreneurial spirit.
In total, fourteen school districts from Union, Baker and Wallowa Counties were in attendance, including the Elgin, La Grande, Union, North Powder, Imbler, Cove, Baker, Pine Eagle, Joseph, Wallowa, and Enterprise Chapters.
Opportunities for FFA members were threefold, with the convention serving as a major informational/educational event for all involved, providing a social hub for the various FFA chapters within the tri-county area, and allowing students to compete in various ag and business-related events, potentially qualifying for state level competitions. Rylee Sandland of the Elgin chapter, for example, came in 2nd place in the Chapter Treasurer’s Book category, qualifying for state.
A few notable awards and prizes were also given out. Lizzy Taylor Iverson of the La Grande chapter was presented with a $500 Foundation scholarship. Dakota Anderson of the Elgin chapter and Andrew Beachy of the Joseph chapter were similarly presented $500 EOU Scholarships. Steven Regnerus of the Elgin chapter even won a laptop during the prize raffle.
Next for these young professionals is State Convention, March 21-24, in Redmond. After that, the 97th annual national FFA convention is slated for October 23-26 in Indianapolis.
Congratulations to all regional participants and good luck to those competing in State!
(Information and photos provided by Eastern Oregon University and Elgin School District)
