The Newton FFA Chapter had members at the State Leadership Conference in Ames last week, and were successful in receiving several awards. Four members were named to the 2026 Iowa FFA Band. They were alto saxophone player Alyssa Machin, flutist Izabella Whitson, and trumpeters Lexi Madoll and Layla Purvis. Kaylee Baltisberger, a soprano, was named to the 2026 Iowa FFA Chorus. Three Newton FFA members received Iowa FFA Degrees, the highest honor in the state. They were Machin, Carter Lehrman, and Lance Paul Zaabel.
Other highlights for the Newton FFA Chapter included Gold Ratings for the Farm Business Management, Poultry, and Program Activities teams. The Poultry team was 11th out of 133 teams, while Farm Business Management competed against 110 other teams and placed 13th.
Next year’s Iowa FFA State Leadership Conference will be held in Ames from April 11-13, 2027.
