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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Marengo FFA earns awards at state fair
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — Thirty Members of the Marengo FFA Chapter proudly represented their school and community at the 2025 Iowa State Fair, bringing home numerous awards and recognition across photography, floriculture, livestock, and leadership events.
This year’s FFA photography show featured 92 chapters, 377 exhibitors and 1,086 photos. Marengo FFA members stood out for their creativity and skill, with Claire Smolik and Sherra Bonnichsen leading the way by earning two blue ribbons each.
Additional blue ribbons were awarded to Aslyn Truempler, while red ribbons were received by Jestine Megchelsen, Mason McKusker, Ogden Truempler, Landon Kilgard, and Carli Kanke.
Caleb Achey, Caden Smith and Kathryn Kilgard also participated. The chapter’s combined efforts earned Marengo a Top 10 Chapter designation, placing eighth overall in the state.
In addition to photography, Marengo FFA excelled in livestock care and presentation, earning first place in the State Fair Chapter Herdsmanship Award. The honor recognizes neatness, safety and overall presentation in the barns.
Members William Sayers, Odgen Truempler, Abby Sparrowgrove, Myla Frimml, Elijah Lillie, Avery Helmrichs and Brook Mangold worked together to achieve this recognition, earning Purple Premium awards for their efforts.
Avary Helmrichs and Brook Mangold represented Marengo in the FFA breeding and market goat show, both earning multiple blue premiums.
Our sheep exhibitors also found success. Abby Sparrowgrove, Myla Frimml and Elijah Lillie each brought home blue premiums, with Frimml also claiming grand champion Hampshire spring ram and first place showmanship.
Lillie earned sixth place overall in the lamb carcass class, and all three exhibitors received Purple Herdsmanship recognition.
William Sayers represented the chapter in the FFA breeding beef show, receiving a Purple Premium for his Lim-Flex breeding heifer.
In the poultry show, Odgen Truempler earned a Purple herdsman banner as well as red premiums in several poultry categories.
The Iowa State Fair floriculture show featured 767 entries from 24 chapters, with Marengo FFA finishing in seventh place overall.
Individual successes included multiple first-place flowers by Jestine Megchelsen and Kathryn Kilgard, while other exhibitors, such as Brooklyn Kilgard, Kacie Nielsen, Kenley Koenig, Hailey Dietze, Myla Frimml, Michaela Schachtlie, Sherra Bonnichsen and Carli Kanke, all earned top placings in various categories.
Kacie Nielsen earned third place overall floral arrangement in the open show.
Beyond competitions, Marengo FFA members also served as grandstand ushers and free stage attendants throughout the fair.
Fourteen students took part in the program, and Kathryn Kilgard served as the usher leadership team leader. In this role, she supervised a team of ushers and ensured smooth operations for evening shows.
Marengo FFA’s presence at the 2025 Iowa State Fair highlights the dedication and hard work of its members. The chapter continues to build a tradition of excellence while providing students opportunities to grow as leaders and agricultural advocates.
