Republic FFA Team Preps for National Competition

Republic’s FFA Conduct of Chapter Meetings team will represent Missouri this week at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The team qualified after winning first place at the 97th Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia last April. Advisors don’t recall another Republic FFA team competing at the national level.

Team members are Maddie Carter, Aubree Dover, Charles Goodnight, Emily Rossow, Liv Meyer, Leegan Thiltgen, and Liam Tharp.

At the state convention, Republic topped 16 qualifying teams in the Conduct of Chapter Meetings leadership development event. Teams presented opening and closing ceremonies, demonstrated parliamentary meeting procedures, and took a written exam. The Army ROTC sponsors the event, which introduces ninth graders to parliamentary procedure.

Since their state win, the Republic team has spent months preparing for nationals, where they will face teams from across the country. Their competition includes a written exam, a mock meeting with four required motions, and oral questions covering Robert’s Rules of Order and the FFA Manual.

Republic FFA advisor Kaylee Lower, who began advising the group in July, credited the students’ work ethic. “They’ve faced multiple challenges and never once given up… [They’re] balancing school and other commitments, but [have] continued to prepare to represent our chapter and community well.”

Team member Aubree Dover said the preparation has been intense. “We practice every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6:30 before school and every Sunday from 4–6,” she said. “It’s more than just practicing—it’s always thinking about Conduct… Over the last year we’ve become more than just a team working toward the same goal. We’re truly friends.”

Teammate Charles Goodnight said that connection has been key. “At first we barely knew each other, but after spending so much time together, we’ve become more like a family,” he said. “We joke around a lot, but when it’s time to focus, we all lock in… Everyone wants to see each other succeed.”

Goodnight said the team is ready for its biggest challenge yet. “Every practice, every run-through, it’s all been with one goal in mind: to win,” he said. “We’ve worked harder, we’re sharper, and we want it more than anyone else… We’re going there to show everyone who Republic is.”