November 3, 2026
From Oct. 21–24, 2026, students from across Rutherford County Schools traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 99th National FFA Convention and Expo. Nearly 73,000 FFA members, advisors, and supporters filled the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium for four days of contests, award ceremonies, and leadership workshops centered on this year’s theme, “Evolve, Engage and Empower.” Members from Blackman, Eagleville, LaVergne, Oakland, Riverdale, Rockvale, Siegel, Smyrna, and Stewarts Creek attended, with many recognized on the national stage.
Among the week’s highlights: Oakland FFA placed ten agriscience projects in the national top 10, including a national runner-up finish; Riverdale FFA’s Creed speaker finished fourth nationally; an Oakland FFA member placed fifth nationally in Employment Skills; two local members advanced to the national proficiency finals; and 31 students across the district received the American FFA Degree.
At the National FFA Agriscience Fair, students present original research that applies science and new technology to the questions facing agriculture today. Judges score each project on its use of the scientific method, creativity, and how well students explain their work. Oakland FFA’s researchers had a remarkable showing, with every one of the chapter’s projects finishing among the top 10 in the nation:
National runner-up: Oakland FFA, Abby DeBerry & Kennedy Lewis – Social Systems Division VI
National third place: Oakland FFA, Emma Millican – Social Systems Division V
National third place: Oakland FFA, Sam Johnson & Alyssa King – Animal Systems Division VI
National third place: Oakland FFA, Sarah Wheaton – Environmental and Natural Resources Division V
National fourth place: Oakland FFA, Mary Redmon – Social Systems Division III
National fifth place: Oakland FFA, Madison Rich – Plant Systems Division V
National sixth place: Oakland FFA, Zoey Duong & Faith Linn – Plant Systems Division VI
National ninth place: Oakland FFA, Emma Goff – Food Products and Processing Division V
National ninth place: Oakland FFA, Addi Brinkley & Sophia Cazare – Plant Systems Division IV
In Career and Leadership Development Events, students put their technical knowledge and communication skills to the test in contests modeled after real careers, ranging from evaluating products and solving industry problems to speaking before a panel of judges. Teams and individuals from Oakland, Riverdale, and Stewarts Creek earned national honors:
National fourth place: Riverdale FFA, Creed Speaking – Mahayla Shirley, National Finalist
National fifth place: Oakland FFA, Employment Skills – Emma Millican
National Gold: Oakland FFA, Floriculture – Sarah Wheaton (Gold Individual), Lexie Bozman, Zoey Duong, and Madison Rich (Silver Individuals)
National Silver: Riverdale FFA, Food Science – Eriana Bernardo Lopez, Emma Medina, and Danna Porras Altamirano (Silver Individuals), and Carlos Pena Ochoa (Bronze Individual)
National Silver: Stewarts Creek FFA, Agricultural Issues – Jack Dunn, Cy Hall, Tristen Hall, Ty Hall, Will Hasty, Kasen Miller, and Tanner Morris
Proficiency Awards celebrate students who have turned what they learn in the ag classroom into hands-on work experience through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. Awards are offered in nearly 50 career areas. Two Rutherford County students earned a spot among the top four in the nation in their respective areas:
National Finalist (top four): Eagleville FFA, Sarah Marshall – Nursery Operations
National Finalist (top four): Oakland FFA, Luke Carlton – Forage Production
Representing the Volunteer State on the convention floor, Annabelle Alexis of Oakland FFA, who currently serves as Tennessee FFA State Treasurer, was one of Tennessee’s national voting delegates. Throughout the week, she joined delegates from every state in business sessions and committee work, debating and voting on issues that guide the national organization's direction.
Through the National Chapter Award Program, FFA recognizes chapters whose annual activities support student growth, community service, and agriculture. Chapters are evaluated based on a Program of Activities that documents their work throughout the year. In 2026, four RCS chapters, including Eagleville, Oakland, Riverdale, and Stewarts Creek, earned the program’s highest rating of Three Stars.
Stewarts Creek FFA also put its agricultural knowledge to the test, with students competing in the National Quiz Bowl Invitational: Samantha Nation, Isabella Swigart, Tiffany Trader, Jenna Dickson, William Dickson, Graham Hasty, Taylor Isbell, Holden Shuler, Katyjane Subbert, Gage Bergstresser, John Blandford, and Dakota Farrar.
The American FFA Degree is the highest honor the National FFA Organization bestows on its members, and fewer than one percent of members ever receive it. Earning it requires years of work, including a substantial SAE program, a strong record of leadership, and service to the community. Congratulations to the Rutherford County Schools students who crossed the stage to receive the degree this year:
Eagleville- Bauer Burch, Skilar Burch, Layla Denton, Cole Flowers, Sarah Marshall, Abigail Rakes, Abbie Ricks, Jameson Spann
Oakland- Luke Carlton, Annabeth Cruz, Anna Grace Eschenfelder, Julian Floyd, Christopher Gann, Madelyn Meadors
Riverdale- Kaylee Carmouche, Gavin Johnson, Casen Rooker, Triniti Shaffer, Maddie Simpson, Destiny Wilkerson
Rockvale- Caleb Limpert
Stewarts Creek- Baylee Davis, Jaylyn Dearsman, Alethea Karlee Dunn, Eli Dunn, Harley Huber, Tony Knox, Brady Lee, Ari Mota, Madison Wade, Ashlee Zack
From the research fair to the main stage at Lucas Oil Stadium, Rutherford County Schools students proved once again they can compete with the best in the country. With FFA’s 100th national convention coming to Indianapolis Oct. 27–30, 2027, these students and their advisors are already looking ahead to another year of learning, leading, and growing in agriculture.