Submitted Photo A screen image from the National FFA Convention stage shows Rugby FFA members Ryan Slabaugh, center, and Kristian Fritz, right, receiving a 3-Star Chapter rating on behalf of their chapter. The convention took place in Indianapolis, Ind. Oct. 22-30.

Members of the Rugby FFA chapter took home the gold and silver from competitions at the National FFA Convention held at Indianapolis, Indiana Oct. 22-30.

“I am very proud of each of the kids and the teams as a whole,” Rugby FFA Advisor Kristi Tonnessen said. “They really studied and practiced hard since June and represented our chapter, community, and state very well.”

The chapter’s agriculture communications team placed fifth in the nation with a first-place-winning media plan.

The team was one of three from Rugby to represent North Dakota in the national career development events, or CDEs.

The agriculture communications team’s performance overall won a gold award. Member Katelyn Duchscher, a 2022 Rugby High graduate and secretary for the North Dakota FFA, won a gold medal for her individual score. Teammate Mya McNeff, a student at Rugby High, also earned a gold medal.

Earning the silver medal for individual scores in ag communications were Amber Selensky and Rylie Suchor, both 2022 Rugby High graduates.

Selensky and Duchscher attend North Dakota State University in Fargo, while Suchor attends Lake Region State College.

Two other teams competed at nationals, each taking home sliver team awards.

Individuals on the dairy cattle evaluation team of Jaclyn Duchscher, Rylah Hager, Cole Anderson and Allison Selensky brought home plenty of shiny metal.

Team member Jaclyn Duchscher earned a gold medal for her individual score, while teammates Rylah Hager and Cole Anderson each took silver medals. Allison Selensky took home a bronze medal for her individual score.

On the meats evaluation team, members Amy Volk and Andrew Duchscher each won gold medals for their individual scores. Teammates Ryleigh Keating and Monica Yoder each earned silver medals.

Volk and Keating are 2022 Rugby High graduates.

The awards didn’t stop at CDEs for the Rugby Chapter.

The Rugby FFA won the prestigious 3-Star Chapter rating at nationals. Members Ryan Slabaugh and Kristian Fritz accepted the national designation for the Rugby chapter.

Winning the 3-star rating qualifies the Rugby chapter to compete for the National Premier Chapter awards, Models of Excellence and Middle School Models of Excellence awards.

Advisor, member reflect

After she returned to college from Nationals, Katelyn Duchscher said in an email, “I couldn’t be more proud of my team, and I am grateful for the supporters of Rugby FFA.”

“Without the continued support from the Rugby Community, achievements like this wouldn’t be possible,” she added.

Duchscher had traveled to Indianapolis in 2021, but not as a competitor. She was one of several students cheering on the chapter’s advanced ag mechanics team, who took first place in the nation for their event.

“The National FFA Convention is an experience like no other,” Duchscher wrote. “When you see 65,000+ kids all wearing the same jacket as you and gathering for a common cause, you realize that this organization is much larger than yourself. So experiencing the National FFA Convention during my senior year is something that I will never forget.” 

“This year, I had a much different experience at the convention,” she said.

“The National FFA Organization is the largest student-led organization in the world. The key phrase there is “student-led“, meaning that members vote on what happens within the National FFA Organization,” she explained.

“Since I am the North Dakota FFA State Secretary this year, I was given the opportunity to be a voting delegate for North Dakota,” she added. “This position allowed me to debate and vote on proposals concerning the National FFA Organization. I was also voted on by other delegates to be the First Secretary on my committee.”

“The delegate process filled my week with caucus meetings, banquets, committee hearings, and voting sessions,” she said. “It was super awesome to see a new side of the National FFA organization that I had never seen before.”

“It was also super cool to connect with my home chapter again,” Duchscher wrote.

“The Rugby FFA Chapter will always hold a very special place in my heart since it was there that I found my love for FFA,” she said. “Competing with my teammates again and interacting with other Rugby FFA members was one of the highlights of my time at the National Convention! Rugby FFA has always been very supportive of everything I’ve done, and I only hope to continue to make them proud as I continue my FFA journey.”

Also traveling to Indy to support the Rugby chapter teams were Kathryn Arnold, alternate for the meats evaluation team; Carter Teigen, alternate for the dairy cattle evaluation team; Jackson Brossart, Rylee Geiszler, Haylee Jundt, Katelyn Mattern, Sophie Oppen, Alyssa Peterson, Taylor Pritschet, Caleb Schaan, Sara Schmaltz and Paisley Wangler.

“They toured a cranberry marsh, apple orchard, the CAT facility, and the Indianapolis Speedway,” Tonnessen said.

Chapter members expressed their thanks for the support they received from individuals and businesses in the Rugby area.

“A huge thank you to all who supported the Rugby FFA Chapter,” Duchscher said. “Without you all, this trip and these experiences for Rugby FFA members would not be possible. Thank you for believing in the Blue Corduroy Jacket.”