GPS Students Earn National Recognition and Achievement at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention
GPS Students Earn National Recognition and Achievement at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention
Holly Anderson
GILBERT, Ariz. (Nov. 5, 2025) - Gilbert Public Schools Future Farmers of America (FFA) students and alumni recently traveled across the country to represent Arizona at the 98th Annual National FFA Convention, held October 28th through November 1st in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hosted by the National FFA Organization, the convention brought together more than 71,000 FFA members, advisors, alumni, and supporters from across the nation for a week of competition, recognition, and leadership development. Among the thousands of participants, Gilbert Public Schools stood out for their achievements, earning a Silver ranking in the Meat Evaluation event, seven students receiving their American FFA Degree, and the Gilbert High School Chapter being recognized with a Three-Star National Chapter Award.
Representing the state of Arizona, the champion Meat Evaluation team from Gilbert FFA showcased their skills at Purdue University’s meat processing facility in West Lafayette, Indiana. The six-hour national contest included retail cut identification, carcass judging, quality yield grading, muscle and bone identification, and primal judging. Team members Mia Conti (Silver), Dakota Hubbard (Bronze), Gunner Mertlich (Silver), and Hyrum Dorny (Silver) demonstrated exceptional knowledge and dedication, earning a Silver Team ranking and placing 18th out of 48 in the nation.
“Walking into the facilities at Purdue and seeing hundreds of students who share the same passion for agriculture was incredible,” said Mia Conti. “It reminded me that the work we’re doing matters, not just for the competition, but for understanding where our food comes from and how much goes into producing it.”
In addition to the Meat Evaluation Team's outstanding performance, the Gilbert High School FFA Chapter was also recognized as a Three-Star National Chapter, the highest distinction awarded through the National Chapters Awards, honoring their chapter’s work in growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture.
Building on these chapter and team achievements, several Gilbert Public Schools students also earned the American FFA Degree, the highest individual honors an FFA member can receive. Seven FFA members - Holly Anderson, Grayson Daniell, Payden Dillard, Blake Hammond, Ty Kochaji, Melia Kapuras, and Bryson Osuha - represented the Campo Verde, Highland, and Mesquite FFA Chapters as recipients of this award. Presented by the National FFA Organization, the American Degree is awarded to less than one percent of the million members nationwide. It recognizes exceptional dedication to agricultural education, leadership, and community service, displaying the commitment of Gilbert Public Schools’ FFA programs and students.
“It doesn’t matter what small town you’re from or what your background is — in America, anything is possible with hard work and big dreams,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during her remarks at the National FFA Convention. “The FFA teaches students to meet their moment, work for a righteous goal, and be part of something bigger than themselves.”
FFA is just one of the many Career and Technical Student Organizations that Gilbert Public Schools has to offer. These organizations, along with Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses, help to prepare students for academic and career success by developing skills in communication, relations, and character. All within a school day, students get the chance to learn and excel in different career paths. To learn more about the CTE pathways provided at Gilbert Public Schools, go to GilbertSchools.net/CTE.