SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Kewanee FFA chapter attended the 98th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 9-11 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. With a 2026 theme of “Sparking Your Future,” the three-day event recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture.
During the convention, the following award was presented to the Kewanee FFA chapter with the photos captured in the Farm Credit Newsroom:

American FFA Degree: Kashen Ellerbrock and Payton Ouart were recognized for earning the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization. The 2026 American FFA Degrees will be officially conferred at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October and recognizes the most dedicated members in the country who demonstrated excellence with their supervised agricultural experience, provided outstanding leadership and community service, and earned scholastic achievement throughout their FFA career.

Illinois State FFA Degree: Jack Anderson , Katy Carton, Emmalee Kilstrom, and Kelsey Scott were conferred with State FFA Degrees by the Illinois Association for meeting all requirements including productive financial investments and earnings in a supervised agricultural experience and FFA participation, leadership, and academic excellence. The State FFA Degree is the highest achievement an FFA member can achieve in Illinois; less than 2% of members statewide earn this prestigious recognition.

2026-2027 Section 3 President: Kelsey Scott was installed as the President of Illinois FFA's Section 3. The 25 newly installed Section Presidents are members of the 2026-2027 Illinois State Officer Team.

Pictured above (from L to R) : Kelsey Scott

Growing Leaders National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter's program of activities, Growing Leaders is designed to encourage the chapter
to develop individual and cooperative activities to enhance students' life skills. The University of Illinois College of ACES is the statewide sponsor of the Growing Leaders National Chapter Award.

Pictured above (from L to R) : Emmalee Kilstrom, Mikayla Ouart, chapter members; Emily Franey, University of Illinois College of ACES; Kalleigh Gale, Katy Carton, chapter members

 

Foundation $3,000 Club Award: Kewanee and Wethersfield FFA chapters were recognized for jointly coordinating a local campaign for the Illinois Foundation FFA which raised at least $3,000.

Pictured above (from L to R) : Jack Anderson and Addison Looney

 

National Chapter Award Finalist: The chapter was named a National Chapter Award Finalist and will compete at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this fall.

Pictured above (from L to R) : Paige Polowy and Summer Simmons

Students at the convention were greeted with activities including a career fair featuring colleges and agribusinesses and an opportunity to engage in the history of Illinois’ capital city. The sessions featured addresses by National FFA Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel, of Nebraska, and from each of the retiring major state officers.