Members of the North Central FFA attended the 72nd Annual State FFA Convention in Alexandria on June 5 - 8, 2001. The convention was conducted by the Louisana State FFA officers with Kevin Moreau, Northwest FFA, presiding. There were over 1300 members, advisors, parents and guests in attendance. Special features included Bob Odom - Commissioner of Agriculture, Faith Jenkins - Miss Louisiana 2001, Dr. Tim Page - State Livestock Specialist, Marshall Stewart - North Carolina State Ag Ed coordinator, Mr. Paul Ott - national humorist, and Trent McKnight - National FFA President.
        Pictured representing North Central were from left: Joseph Savant, Danielle Beard, Corey Courville, Heidi Hatcher, Johnathan Bryant, Brooke Ducote, Peyton Splane and Hals Beard - Advisor.
        North Central was recognized for having 100% FFA membership, Silver level - livestock exhibition, Silver level - chapter award, three public speaking contestants, ten proficiency award winners and six state FFA degree recipients.

        Brooke Ducote was state FFA champion in the Gulf of Mexico speaking placing First, and Danielle Beard was state FFA runner-up in the Creed speaking placing Second. Congratulations!!! We're proud of you!!!

        In the area of proficiency awards the following students were winners:
First Place:
Peyton Splane - Beef Production
Heidi Hatcher - Floriculture
Second Place:
Brooke Ducote - Floriculture, Nursery Operations, Wildlife Management
Third Place:
Peyton Splane - Forage Production
Johnathan Bryant - Wildlife Management
Daphne Cormier - Floriculture
Fourth Place:
Dane Firmin - Landscape Management
Joseph Savant - Turf Grass Management

        Receiving State FFA Degrees were: Johnathan Bryant, Edwin Martin, Earnest Braziel, Darren Duvall, Daphne Cormier and Garrett Morain.
        The highlight of the convention for North Central was when the chapter was awarded the Area III Sweepstakes Award for 2000-2001. This award recognizes the outstanding chapter from each of the four areas in the FFA's many Career Development Events.
All state winners will be competing at the National FFA Convention to be held in Louisville, KY on October 24-27, 2001.