Even with the FFA state convention canceled, members will compete in virtual contests and individual events

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As usual, the Molalla FFA chapter has had a successful run as of late, placing in multiple contests at both the district and sectional competitions. Several individuals and a team qualified for the state competition that was scheduled for later this month, but that's been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Oregon FFA has canceled the state convention, they will still hold "the components" of the convention through virtual contests and individual events.

Still, Adviser Mackenzie Behrle said the seniors—Emilie Mendoza, Natalee Litchfield, Kelsey Morgan, Georgia Hunter, and Adam Miller—are disappointed to miss their final convention.

"We were all very excited to compete at the state level and represent our chapter, so it's very unfortunate that state convention was canceled," Mendoza said, adding, "Although we don't get to attend state convention anymore, we are thankful we still get to compete."

Molalla's results from districts and sectionals are as follows.

Districts:

1st place District Technology Scrapbook- Chloe Corless

1st place District Information Team- Rylee Madison, Michael Kyllo, Aidan McArthur, Jade Phillips, Kylie Pierce & Marinda Haak

3rd place District Sophomore Public Speaking- Jessica Hewitt

2nd place District Beginning Parliamentary Procedure Team- Chairman Rylee Madison, Michael Kyllo, Aidan McArthur, Jade Phillips, Kylie Pierce & Marinda Haak

2nd place District Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team- Chairman Jessica Hewitt, Georgia Hunter, Lola McIlhenney, Cypress Barrett, Emilie Mendoza & Adam Miller

1st place District Job Interview- Lola McIlhenney

3rd place District Job Interview- Natalee Litchfield

1st place District Advanced Extemporaneous Public Speaking- Clay Sperl

Elected Mt Hood District Vice President- Cypress Barrett

Elected Mt Hood District President- Clay Sperl

Emilie Mendoza retired as the current District President & Natalee Litchfield retired as the current District Vice President

Sectionals:

2nd place Sectional Job Interview- Lola McIlhenney

3rd place Sectional Job Interview- Natalee Litchfield

4th place Sectional Extemporaneous Public Speaking- Clay Sperl

2nd place Sectional Beginning Parliamentary Procedure Team- Chairman Rylee Madison, Michael Kyllo, Aidan McArthur, Jade Phillips, Kylie Pierce & Marinda Haak

1st place Sectional Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team- Chairman Jessica Hewitt, Georgia Hunter, Lola McIlhenney, Cypress Barrett, Emilie Mendoza & Adam Miller

2020 Oregon FFA State Degree Recipients- Clay Sperl, Kelsey Morgan & Chloe Corless

State FFA Officer Candidate- Emilie Mendoza

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With their wins, the following teams and individuals qualified for state: Corless for scrapbook, McIlhenney for job interview, Litchfield for job interview, and the advanced parli-pro team.

Behrle said the job interviews will happen virtually over Google Hangout this week, the parli-pro contest will be held in mid-April, and Mendoza will compete for state office the first weekend in May.

"I am extremely proud of my team and the other members who qualified and competed," Barrett said. "I am most proud to be going to state in parliamentary procedure because we have faced some obstacles during practice and preparations. I was very proud of how the team took that adversity and used it to make us stronger. We always work very hard on that competition, and getting a positive outcome always makes it worth it."

Mendoza noted several members had gotten sick prior to competitions, causing worry over how the teams would do.

"But luckily things worked out," she said.

In addition to contests, Molalla is dominating the district office positions. Next year, Sperl and Barrett will serve as district president and vice president respectively, replacing Mendoza and Litchfield.

"We are Molalla strong two years in a row," Behrle said.

And with her run in May, perhaps Mendoza can usher Molalla into the state office realm as well.

Kristen Wohlers
Reporter
503-263-7512
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