GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida FFA Association recently selected twenty-two (22) student members as finalists in the highly coveted “Stars of Florida” award recognition program. This program symbolizes the highest competitive recognition for FFA members and their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program(s) in six different categories. More than two hundred (200) applicants were considered during the selection process. Each candidate will be interviewed by a team of FFA, industry and Agriculture Education representatives to determine the Star in each area. Each finalist, their family and agriculture instructor(s) will be recognized June 28, 2012 at the 84th Florida FFA Convention to be held at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
The finalists listed alphabetically by chapter in each category are:
| Category | Name | Chapter |
| Star Discovery Degree | Jonathan Gaylard | Branford Middle |
| Star Discovery Degree | Quin Johnson | Chiefland Middle |
| Star Discovery Degree | Kinsey Denee’ Ward | Chiefland Middle |
| Star Discovery Degree | Anna Beth Conrad | Tomlin Middle |
| Star Greenhand Degree | Landon Smith | Bronson |
| Star Greenhand Degree | John Robert Trimm, Jr. | Bronson |
| Star Greenhand Degree | Austin Lenn Davis | Bunnell |
| Star Greenhand Degree | Harold Tillis | Chiefland |
| Star in Agribusiness | Matthew Cantrell | Baker County |
| Star in Agribusiness | Drake Austin Bishop | DeLand |
| Star in Agriscience | Allison Coelho | Brooksville |
| Star in Agriscience | Marissa Mancillas | Brooksville |
| Star in Agriscience | Shayanne Mumma | Brooksville |
| Star in Agriscience | Melissa Ritter | Brooksville |
| Star in Agricultural Placement | John Burnsed | Baker County |
| Star in Agricultural Placement | Marisa Crowhurst | Pine Ridge |
| Star in Agricultural Placement | Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright | Suwannee |
| Star in Agricultural Placement | Drew Land | Suwannee |
| Star Farmer | Catherine Bowman | Santa Fe |
| Star Farmer | Morgan Edwards | South Sumter |
| Star Farmer | Benjamin Glass | Suwannee |
| Star Farmer | Michael Holder | Williston |
About the Florida FFA State Convention
The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience. FFA members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Honoring past and present accomplishments, FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and become leaders for the future.
About the Florida FFA Association
The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with 16,000 middle and high school student members – as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state. FFA members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
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