MEEKER | More than 2,000 FFA members from across the state gathered at Colorado State University Pueblo for the 98th Colorado FFA State Convention, and Meeker FFA returned home with state honors, leadership accomplishments and a trip to the national stage.
The annual convention marks the culmination of a year of work for FFA members, bringing students together to compete in career and leadership development events, earn awards and celebrate agricultural education.
Leading the way for Meeker was the chapter’s Agricultural Issues team of Sidney Keetch, Lilly Newman, Hayden Garcia, Brooklynn Kirkpatrick and Lauryn Shults. The team competed Monday against two other state-qualifying teams, presenting a scripted debate before answering questions from judges. When awards were announced Tuesday, Meeker earned first place and qualified for the National FFA Convention.
Garcia said the accomplishment was validation of the team’s hard work throughout the year.
“I think for all of us it wasn’t so much ‘Oh my goodness we qualified,’ it was ‘Oh my God, our hard work paid off,’” Garcia said. “The long meetings, late nights, research and memorization paid off and we did it.”
Garcia said the significance of the achievement continued to sink in after the awards ceremony.
“I think the later realization of we get to go to nationals, for some of us it’ll be the first time, and that in itself is awesome,” Garcia said. “To be able to compete and represent not only Meeker, but Colorado as a whole on a topic we all feel passionate about is mind blowing.”
The National FFA Convention and Expo is scheduled for Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis.
Several Meeker members also earned individual honors during the week.
Freshman Teagan Smith received a silver award in Creed Speaking, while junior Aurora Stallings earned gold in Employment Skills. Stallings also served on the nominating committee responsible for selecting candidates for the 2026-27 Colorado FFA officer team.
“I was honestly shocked and excited at the same time,” Stallings said. “My preliminary interview didn’t feel as strong as I had hoped, so I wasn’t even sure I would make it to finals.”
After advancing, Stallings said her confidence grew.
“Once I got to the final round, I felt much more confident,” she said. “I was able to connect my experiences to my answers, tell stories that related back to the job description and really show who I was. It was rewarding to see all of the preparation and practice pay off, and earning a gold rating made me feel proud of how much I’ve grown as an interviewer.”
Thursday brought more success for the chapter. Garcia earned gold in Small Animal Care and Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency, while Kirkpatrick received silver in Poultry Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency. Later that day, Braydin Raley was awarded her Colorado FFA State Degree.
Throughout the convention, sophomores Braylin Peña and Lauryn Shults served as delegate committee chairs, helping lead discussions and decisions regarding the future of Colorado FFA.
Garcia and recent graduate Aimee Shults also ran for state office, while juniors Skylar Grimes and Brycen Peña served on the Courtesy Corps, a volunteer group that assists convention staff and helps events run smoothly.
Meeker FFA advisor Deneé Dinwiddie said she was proud of the effort displayed by chapter members throughout the week.
“Convention has always been an enlightening and humbling experience. This year was no different and holds a lot of special memories,” Dinwiddie said. “My favorite part of this year is the fact that all of our competitors put in extra hours of practice and it showed.”
For Dinwiddie, the convention also carried personal significance.
“Working in Meeker has been a dream of mine since I was a freshman in high school when Trina Kennedy served as my ag teacher,” she said. “This year was an enlightening full-circle moment to be able to have her join me in chaperoning and coaching these kids to exemplify our school district’s motto, ‘Excellence in all we do.’
“I am beyond excited to see how we continue to represent our town and chapter at future state events, and am elated to have an exceptional group of girls represent our state on the national level in Indianapolis this October.”
The week marked another successful state convention for Meeker FFA, highlighted by individual achievements, leadership opportunities and a national qualification that will send the Agricultural Issues team to Indianapolis this fall.
By JARED HENDERSON and
BROOKLYNN KIRKPATRICK
From left, Blake Herrera, Hayden Garcia, Lauryn Shults, Brooklynn Kirkpatrick, Lilly Newman, Sidney Keetch, Deneé Dinwiddie and Citlali Calixto pose on stage during the Colorado FFA State Convention after Meeker FFA’s Agricultural Issues team earned a gold rating and qualified for the National FFA Convention and Expo, scheduled for Oct. 21-24 in Indianapolis.
Meeker FFA members pose for a group photo during the Colorado FFA State Convention in Pueblo. Pictured from left, back to front, are Brooklynn Kirkpatrick, Teagan Smith, Drake Jones, Sienna Rolen, Tyler Tafoya, Brycen Peña, Colten Ruder, Brigid “Birdie” McCaffrey, Braydin Raley, Elai Rundberg, Skyler Grimes, Aurora Stallings, Tanner Shults, Lauryn Shults, Kylee Barrios, Sidney Keetch, Braylin Peña, Azalia Jessop, Aidyn Kirkpatrick, Ally Healy, Hailey Cox, Lilly Newman, Dylan Rundberg and chapter adviser Deneé Dinwiddie.
