FFA State Officers (l to r):Emma Kuhns, Treasurer; Jordi Oliver, Secretary; Lexi Mueller, President; Molly Schempp, Vice President; and Margaret Vaessen, Reporter

2020-21 State Officer Team elected during Illinois FFA Convention

 

[June 15, 2020]  The 2020-2021 Illinois State Officer Team was elected Thursday evening, June 11, via online voting by delegates during the 92nd annual Illinois FFA State Convention. The officers were installed immediately following the election and will serve the Illinois Association FFA for the next 12 months.

The newly elected officers are:

President

Lexi Mueller, 18, of Columbia (Monroe County) and the Valmeyer FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Matthew and Pamela Mueller and a 2020 graduate of Valmeyer High School. “Each FFA member is capable of doing do great things in life,” Mueller says. “I hope to use my FFA experiences to give back and inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

Vice President

Molly Schempp, 19, of Atlanta (Logan County) and the Olympia FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Darin and Cindy Schempp, a 2019 graduate of Midwest Christian Academy, and enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in agricultural education. “I hope to genuinely encourage, humbly lead, and selflessly serve the members counting on us to help them reach their goals,” Schempp says. “The greatest impact from this year of service will be made on the individuals we interact with, lead, and teach by example.”

Reporter

Margaret Vaessen, 18, of Sublette (Lee County) and the Amboy FFA Chapter. She is the daughter or Michael and Brenda Vaessen and a 2020 graduate of Amboy High School. “My core values of support, encouragement, and servitude have been strengthened through the Illinois FFA,” Vaessen says. “As a state officer, I will use these attributes to help each member find their place.” 

Secretary

Jordi Oliver, 17, of Buncombe (Johnson County) and the Vienna FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Cary and Michele Oliver and a 2020 graduate from Vienna High School. “The future of agriculture is all around us wearing these corduroy jackets,” says Oliver. “I vow to make a difference, inspire others, and help members succeed in their goals as a state officer.”

Treasurer

Emma Kuhns, 18, of Mason (Effingham County) and the Altamont FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Stan and Shelly Kuhns and a 2020 graduate of Altamont High School. “Those in leadership positions hold a special responsibility to model drive and passion for those around them,” Kuhns says. “I aspire to make members feel comfortable in their own skin and be confident in their abilities to try new things.”

The five officers were elected from a group of 10 candidates selected by a committee in early May. Each officer puts their collegiate pursuits on hold for one year as they serve the Illinois Association FFA. Officers typically travel more than 20,000 miles visiting FFA chapters around the state, conducting workshops and meetings, representing Illinois FFA in professional settings, and promoting agricultural education. Since 1929, Illinois has elected a State FFA Officer Team.

With a 2020 theme of “Envision,” the convention annually recognizes achievements of Illinois FFA members, elects the major state officer team, and celebrates agriculture. In response to coronavirus concerns, the Illinois FFA State Association officer team and staff adjusted the convention to a first-ever virtual format.

The business session, officer elections, and the Stars Over Illinois awards were livestreamed June 9-11. Members recognized with State and American FFA Degrees will be honored July 13-17. Additional statewide award presentations and the 2019-2020 Illinois State Officer Team retiring addresses will be broadcast July 20-23.

[Text provided by Bryce Hoffman, Olympia FFA]