Lumberton and St. Pauls FFA Earn National Chapter Awards at NC State Convention
RALEIGH — This summer, local FFA chapters made waves at the 96th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh with two chapters earning national chapter awards.
Lumberton FFA
The Lumberton FFA chapter brought home top honors across several competitive categories and was named a Gold National Chapter Award recipient, placing in the top 20 out of 370 chapters statewide.
Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) Highlights
● Spanish Creed Speaking – 1st Place, State Champion Esmeralda Pedro Cuevas will advance to the National FFA Convention & Expo this fall in Indianapolis.
● Quiz Bowl – 2nd Place
Team: Chloe Campbell, Jace Wilson and Esmeralda Pedro Cuevas
● Parliamentary Procedure – 3rd Place
Team: Khyle Greenland, Laiken Wilcox, Liliana Galicia, Riley Patterson, Dylan Thomas and Anhaya Muñoz
● Food Science – 3rd Place (out of 92 teams)
Team: Isaac Simmons, Jacobe Locklear, Jarrett Hunt, Dylan Thomas
Isaac Simmons ranked 5th overall in the state out of 299 participants.
● Forestry – 4th Place
Team: Tehya Strickland, Brittlyn Stubbs, Chayden Locklear and Isaac Simmons
Isaac Simmons was named the highest-scoring individual in the state.
● Milk Quality & Products – 6th Place
Team: Leighann Martin, Maggie Brixey, Kayleigh McRae and Jace Wilson
● Agronomy – 6th Place
Team: Brittlyn Stubbs, Lucas Drennan, Chayden Locklear and Charlie Marlow
● Tool Identification – 7th Place
Team: Emmie Bryant, Mya Blackmon, Rexford Parker and Ayden Perritt
Ayden Perritt scored 99/100 in the event.
● Nursery Landscape – 9th Place
Team: Kaitlyn Woodell, Leyla Boganwright, Miles Jacobs and Alexi Hunt
● Agricultural Communications Team
Team: Emmaleigh Higgins, Liseth Diaz Cedano, Jade Flores and Hayleigh Jackson
● Extemporaneous Public Speaking
Competitor: Garrett Merlo
Proficiency Award Winners
● 1st Place – Diversified Livestock Production: Brittlyn Stubbs
● 1st Place – Vegetable Production: Chayden Locklear
● 2nd Place – Goat Production: Laiken Wilcox
● 2nd Place – Agricultural Communications: Laiken Wilcox
● 3rd Place – Diversified Agriculture Production: Chayden Locklear
Individual Recognitions
● Laiken Wilcox was honored on stage as a National Delegate.
● Gavin Merlo was recognized as a State Officer Candidate and served on the Courtesy Corps at the convention.
● The following members earned the prestigious Old North State Degree, the highest honor granted by the North Carolina FFA Association: Noah Britt, Landon Claar, Lucas Drennan, Khyle Greenland, Nolan Groner, Bryce Hardin, Shaun Henderson, Jacobe Locklear, Trevin Lowry, Charlie Marlow, Anhaya Munoz, Riley Patterson, Andy Perez Gonzalez, Dylan Thomas, Laiken Wilcox and Kaitlyn Woodell
● Allie Hendren received the American Degree from the National FFA Organization—an honor awarded to less than 1% of FFA members nationally.
"Our members have worked incredibly hard this year, and their dedication has truly paid off at the convention. We are proud of each of them for their achievements and the spirit they bring to our chapter. This is a great moment for our FFA family, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and succeed,” said Lumberton FFA Adviser Candace Grimsley.
St. Pauls FFA
The St. Pauls FFA Chapter had an exciting and rewarding experience at the 96th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh, with several students recognized for their hard work and achievements across various competitions and leadership opportunities.
National Chapter Award Recognition
St. Pauls FFA earned a Silver Chapter Award in the National Chapter Award Program, which honors chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the National FFA Organization.
Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) Highlights
● Quiz Bowl – 3rd Place in the State
Team: Addyson Holloman, Mia Lopez, Kamai Teel and Myziah Thompson
● Milk Quality & Products – Competed at State Level
Team: Katherine Diaz, Brayan Perez, Madison Philipps and Malaysia Locklear.
● Food Science – Competed at State Level
Team: Chance Beebe, Breylin Finklea, Elizabeth Quick, Khloe St. Peter and Lucy Mora
Individual Recognitions
● Madison Philipps was honored for earning the Old North State Degree, the highest honor awarded by the North Carolina FFA Association. She was also selected to serve as a National Delegate representing North Carolina.
● Junior Torres Diaz was recognized as a North Carolina FFA State Officer Candidate and received the American Degree, the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization—an honor achieved by less than 1% of members nationally.
“We are proud of all the hard work and dedication our members put in to prepare for State Convention! We appreciate them for representing our chapter so well,” said St. Pauls FFA Adviser Kyle Chavis.
Purnell Swett FFA
Purnell Swett FFA members proudly represented their chapter at the 96th North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh, participating in competitions, leadership sessions, and career exploration opportunities.
Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) Participation
● Extemporaneous Public Speaking – Competitor
Cornelia Oxendine showcased her leadership and communication skills in this highly competitive event.
● Tool Identification – State-Level Competitors
Team: Joshua Deese Jr., Cameron Cummings, and Ricky Sampson
Additional Attending Members
● Anna Locklear
● Maklee Bristow
● Makenzie Locklear
College and Career Exploration
Members toured NC State University, connected with university representatives, and explored careers in agriculture through the FFA Career Expo and convention networking events.
Leadership Development
Students attended various convention sessions and workshops, gaining valuable leadership experience and building connections with FFA members from across North Carolina.
Individual Recognition
● Hayden Florita received the prestigious North Carolina FFA State Degree, the highest honor awarded by the state FFA association.
“Our students truly made the most of their time at the convention—competing, learning, and representing our chapter with pride,” said PSHS FFA Advisor Taleek Harlee. “We’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited for what’s ahead.”
Fairmont FFA
Fairmont FFA members proudly represented their chapter at the 96th North Carolina FFA State Convention, participating in competitive events and exploring career pathways in agriculture.
Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE) Participation
● Meats Evaluation – State-Level Competitors
Team: Christian Britt, Gavin Mayers, Paityn Branch and Grayson Branch
● Milk Quality & Products – State-Level Competitors
Team: Trent Collins, Ashton Callahan, Haley Britt and Kimmie Stevens
Career Exploration
In addition to competitions, members attended the FFA Career Expo, where they engaged with professionals and explored a variety of career opportunities in the agriculture industry.
"We are very proud of these members for putting in the work to compete at the state level and for representing Fairmont FFA with dedication and pride,” said FFA Adviser Laura Romberger.