Buncombe County students shine at state FFA convention

During a recent government meeting, Buncombe County Schools celebrated the remarkable achievements of students excelling in career and technical education (CTE) programs. The event highlighted the accomplishments of various Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters and DECA marketing students from local high schools.

Anka High School's FFA chapter was recognized for earning two first-place awards at the state FFA convention, with students Blake Burns and Lydia Messer receiving their state FFA degrees. The team excelled in tool identification and agricultural mechanics, with members including Colson Stroup, Elena DeWeese, Noah Childers, and Connor Warren. Their success has earned them a spot at the upcoming National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

North Buncombe High School's FFA chapter also celebrated significant achievements, with students Max Jones, Kenley Herron, Brooke Eberly, and Mikaela Hensley receiving the prestigious Old North State FFA degrees. Additionally, a team from North Buncombe secured the top position in the state for parliamentary procedure.

The meeting also acknowledged the accomplishments of DECA students from North Buncombe and AC Reynolds High Schools. Addison Minton and Abigail Ramsey participated in the DECA International Career Development Conference in California, where they engaged in projects promoting literacy. Their involvement has led them to the DECA Thrive Academy, where they gained valuable leadership skills to enhance their local chapter.

AC Reynolds High School's DECA members also made their mark, with Kanan Razor graduating from the Thrive Leadership Academy and Michael Morris and Nathan Bergen achieving high scores in entrepreneurship.

The meeting concluded with a call to celebrate the talents and hard work of these students, emphasizing the importance of CTE programs in fostering future leaders. Attendees were encouraged to follow Buncombe County Schools on social media for updates on ongoing achievements and initiatives.