Twenty-six Star Valley FFA members attended and competed in the 2026 Wyoming State FFA Convention April 8-11 on the campus of Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. Member Lizzy Petersen was awarded a bronze in Entrepreneurship Poultry Production, which recognizes her as one of the top poultry related Supervised Agricultural Experiences in the state.

Lizzy Petersen, along with five other senior members of the chapter, including Sam Bramwell, Colt Messerly, Diesel Vrska, Gracie Jackson, and Haydin Draney, earned the prestigious State FFA Degree. Additionally, Petersen and Draney participated in the largest candidate pool for state office since 2015.

“The students put in a lot of work, had a great time, and came together as a team, helping each other build on their skills,” said SV FFA Advisor Victor Hardesty.

Nine of the members were first year FFA members and the group represented the chapter well at the state level.

Draney, Vrska, Andrew Hoopes and Oakley Hepworth competed in Meats Evaluation and Technology with Draney emerging as the highest placing member from Star Valley.

Star Valley’s Vet Science team placed 16th out of 32 teams. Team members included Bramwell (who was the highest placing team member), Messerly, Matti Collins and Adeline Miles.

The Agriculture Mechanics Team finished 19th out of 49 teams with Daniel Nelson, achieving the highest rank of the Star Valley competitors and tying for 1st in Compact Equipment out of 187 mechanics. Colton Messerly tied for 3rd in Structure Systems. Aiden Linford tied for 4th in Electrical, and Draney came in 7th in Compact Equipment.

Star Valley’s highest-ranking member in Horse Evaluation was Colton Messerly at 29/152.  Haylee Deroche, Hadlee Messerly and Miles rounded out the Star Valley team.

On the Livestock Evaluation Team, Arabella Hardesty ranked highest from Star Valley with Hepworth, Paxton Probst and Hudson England on the team.

Star Valley’s Poultry Evaluation Team finished seventh of 38 teams, with Scarlett Humpherys finishing 11th in Individual out of 144 and Petersen finishing 13th. Tayvon Perez Zarate and Michaela Robertson rounded out the team.

Hepworth finished 18th as an Individual in Farm Business Management out of 68 competitors. Eleanor Petersen, Samantha Moffat and Lauren Parsons participated on the Star Valley Team.

In the Agricultural Sales team, Elli Petersen and Teagyn Carey tied for the highest Individual score from Star Valley with Jakub Norman and Nora Kendall filling out the team roster.

Greenhand Quiz Bowl, which is exclusively for first-year FFA members, offered high Individual placement for Michaela Pobertson with Elli Petersen, Norman, Hoopes, Miles, Hardesty, Hadlee Messerly, Kendall and Zarate joining the team.

“We are incredibly proud of this group and everything they have achieved this year and are really looking forward to another year of growth for the chapter and each individual member,” said Bridget Frank, SVFFA Assistant Advisor.

The Star Valley FFA’s annual Blue and Gold Gala, which is the awards and fundraising banquet, is set for May 16 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Afton. Community members are invited to purchase tickets and support the Star Valley FFA chapter as it continues to grow and learn.