Virtual FFA election: Meet the new Illinois officer team

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A virtual election was utilized by the delegates to the 92nd annual Illinois FFA State Convention to elect the five officers to lead the organization for the upcoming year.

Although the process was unusual due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the new officers expressed excitement and enthusiasm as they looked forward to their year as an officer.

President

“I’m still shaking, and I’m in disbelief,” said Lexi Mueller, after she was elected president of the statewide organization. “I have so many people that were such an inspiration to me.”

The Valmeyer FFA member lives on her family farm near Columbia.

“We have a grain and livestock farm in the bottoms of the Mississippi River valley,” said the daughter of Matthew and Pamela Mueller. “I have two FFA projects, sheep entrepreneurship and specialty crops that include pumpkins, squash, Indian corn and vegetables.”

As the section presidents met in January to talk about perspective candidates for the officer team, Mueller wasn’t sure she wanted to run for a state position.

“I’m very faithful so I felt it was a calling from God to give back to the FFA so anything I can do to serve other people is something I want to be part of,” she said.

Mueller is looking forward to having an impact on FFA members.

“I want to inspire them and help them find a career path,” she said. “I think working with the newly elected team is going to be really exciting.”

As the leader of the Illinois FFA, Mueller said, her main message to members is to be comfortable in you.

“I’ve heard from so many state officers that the only person you can be is you,” she said. “Being authentic is really important and being confident in who you are.”

After completing her presidency term, Mueller plans to attend Southern Illinois University to study agricultural education with a minor in horticulture and the goal to become a high school agricultural teacher.

Vice President

For Molly Schempp, serving as an FFA officer was an opportunity she did not want to pass up.

“Being able to serve the FFA and getting to work with members at chapter visits and workshops is something I really enjoy doing,” the FFA vice president said.

“I want the members to know the FFA is a family organization and they have a place in the blue and gold,” the Olympia FFA member stressed.

“My favorite FFA event is parliamentary procedure and working with a team,” said the daughter of Darin and Cindy Schempp. “And I thoroughly enjoyed public speaking where I competed in creed, prepared and extemporaneous contests.”

Schempp has completed a year of studying agricultural education at the University of Illinois and will return there after her year as the FFA vice president to complete her degree and begin a career as an agricultural teacher.

Reporter

Margaret Vaessen talked about creating a legacy during her speech to the FFA delegates.

“I want to help people create their legacy,” the FFA reporter said. “It doesn’t have to be ag-related. I just want to help people get there.”

The Amboy FFA member is not the same person she was when she first walked into the ag classroom.

“I’ve grown so much, and I want to help FFA members do the same thing,” said the daughter of Michael and Brenda Vaessen.

Vaessen plans to start her college studies at Joliet Junior College and transfer to the U of I to complete a double major in agricultural education and secondary mathematics.

Secretary

“I am confident that I’m ready to serve others in the FFA and make an impact serving as the state secretary,” said Jordi Oliver.

The Vienna FFA member recalled being terrified to compete in public speaking as a freshman student.

“But my adviser encouraged me to face that fear and public speaking has become my favorite competition in FFA,” said the daughter of Cary and Michele Oliver.

“I plan to stand beside each member as we are all part of the FFA organization,” Oliver said. “I plan to help members grow to their full potential and be a leader.”

Following her year as the FFA secretary, Oliver will attend Lake Land College in the ag transfer program and complete her degree in ag education, leadership and communication at the U of I.

Treasurer

“When I was a younger FFA member, I didn’t realize the impact FFA members can have on you,” said Emma Kuhns, the FFA treasurer. “I have come full circle today, and I hope I can continue to do that for the rest of the year.”

The Altamont FFA member works with her dad and uncle for her swine production placement project.

“It is something I’m proud of because it’s a family tradition,” said the daughter of Stan and Shelly Kuhns.

“I want to give students confidence in themselves and be a part of their journey through FFA,” Kuhns said. “You need to stop asking if your dreams are crazy and start asking if they’re crazy enough.”

Kuhns will attend the U of I to study agricultural and consumer economics after her year as an officer, and she also is interesting in obtaining an ag law degree.

“Hopefully, I will work in D.C. as an ag lobbyist, and I would also like to hold a political office in Illinois,” the FFA member said.

For more information about the 92nd annual Illinois FFA State Convention, go to www.illinoisffa.org.