06/11/2026
GCMS FFA has spent 3 fun filled days at the 98th annual Illinois State Convention in Springfield!
Day 1 consisted of listening to state officers retiring addresses and attending sessions. Wrapping up day one our FFA chapter was awarded the Silver Ranking of the National Chapter Award.
Day 2 was jam packed with members networking in the expo hall and listening to more speakers. Our chapter was also awarded the Foundation $4,000 Club Award. This award is given to chapters who were able to raise at least $4,000 for the Illinois Foundation FFA. During the last session that day, Kasen DeFries joined the 2% of Illinois FFA members that earn their state degree! We are so incredibly proud of Kasen for all of the hard work that he has put into getting the highest achievement Illinois FFA can give! In between secessions we were able to go to the Illinois History Museum and later that night our members participated in a holiday themed trivia night.
Day 3 was full of state officer elections. Our two delegates Kate McCall and Kasen DeFries had their work cut out for them choosing the future leaders of the Illinois FFA.
Our time at convention has been very impactful and we are very excited to come back again next year!