Convention: Paige Hoy, Alyssa Houck, Nora Hoy, Janice Gilliland, Aubrey Biter, Sarah Zimmerman, Carlie Nowlin, Reilly Rawlings, Gracie Graham, Josie Dicken, Cassidy Fleck, Wyatt Walls, John Eaken, and Frances Weaver proudly represented the Tyrone Area FFA Chapter at Penn State University from June 10-12.

Tyrone Area FFA Honors Winners at PA FFA Mid-Winter Convention

By Alyssa Houck, Leora Catich, and Emma Postreich

January 23, 2026

Members of the Tyrone Area High School FFA chapter were recognized for their accomplishments at the 97th Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention, held on January 12, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

The annual event brought together FFA members, advisors, and supporters from across the state to celebrate leadership, service, and achievement in agricultural education.

A highlight of the convention was the awarding of the Keystone FFA Degree, the highest honor bestowed by the Pennsylvania FFA Association. Thirteen Tyrone FFA seniors earned this distinction in recognition of their long-term commitment to FFA, leadership involvement, and successful supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs.

The Keystone Degree recipients were Kayden Ansman, Austin Beamer, Janice Gilliland, Gracie Graham, Alyssa Houck, Paige Hoy, Madisen Jones, Carlie Nowlin, Reilly Rawlings, Catherine Sklenar, Sarah Weakland, Frances Weaver, and Bailey Woomer.

To earn this degree, members must demonstrate exceptional dedication through years of participation, record-keeping, financial growth, and service to their chapter and community.

In addition to degree recognition, four members received official FFA jackets through the Pennsylvania FFA Blue Jacket Campaign. The jacket recipients were Emily Lalli, Kayden Ansman, Leanne Clark, and Violet Weaver.

The Blue Jacket Campaign is a statewide initiative through the Pennsylvania FFA Association that provides official FFA jackets to members who may not otherwise be able to afford one. The program ensures all students have equal access to FFA opportunities, as the jacket is a required part of official dress at conventions, competitions, and ceremonies. Through donations from individuals, families, businesses, and community supporters, the campaign removes financial barriers and allows members to fully participate in FFA activities while representing the organization with pride.

Senior Kayden Ansman, a Keystone Degree recipient and Blue Jacket Campaign awardee, has been involved in FFA for three years.

“I found out I really enjoyed FFA and the people around me who are in it,” Ansman said. “FFA means a lot to me even though I may not understand everything it has to offer. It felt very good to be able to get my first jacket and my Keystone Degree at the same time. I would highly recommend participating in FFA trips and activities before it is too late.”

The jackets awarded to Tyrone FFA members were made possible through generous sponsorships supporting the chapter, including Amanda Houston, Kimberlee Black, Susan A. O’Brien, Todd and Donna Weakland, Cold Springs Farm and Pet LLC, and Joseph Sklenar.

In addition to student recognition, Tyrone Area FFA Advisor and agricultural educator Tiffany Hoy and her husband, Phillip Hoy, were awarded an honorary Keystone FFA Degree at the convention.

The Hoys were recognized for their involvement and support of FFA, as all three of their children have earned Keystone Degrees and remain actively involved in the organization.

“I am proud that three FFA members received their Keystone degrees, which allowed me to receive my honorary degree. FFA is a large part of our family,” Phillip Hoy said.

The convention also featured addresses from state leaders Russell C. Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, and Dr. Carrie Rowe, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education.

Both speakers emphasized the importance of agricultural education and leadership development, encouraging FFA members to take an active role in shaping the future of Pennsylvania’s agriculture and workforce. Their messages focused on service, responsibility, and the impact young leaders can have within their communities and beyond.

Tyrone Area FFA Chapter President Frances Weaver spoke about her involvement in FFA and its importance to her.

“I joined a community I didn’t yet fully understand, but already felt a part of,” Weaver said. “Over the past four years, I’ve grown so much through FFA, not only learning about agriculture and leadership, but also discovering what it truly means to work with others toward a common goal. Serving as my chapter’s president this year has been an incredible experience.”

The Pennsylvania FFA Mid-Winter Convention serves as an opportunity for members to be recognized at the state level while gaining inspiration from peers across Pennsylvania. The achievements of the Tyrone FFA members reflect their dedication, the support of their advisors, and the continued strength of agricultural education in the Tyrone Area School District.

KEYSTONE DEGREE AWARDEES

Kayden Ansman

Parents/Guardians: Miranda Shaw and James Ansman

SAE: Placement, Agriscience Research

CDE: Blair County floriculture and Dairy Cattle evaluation

Offices Held: None

Favorite FFA Activities: Ag Literacy Days and Ag Safety Days as we go and spend time with the elementary students and engaged in activities and share our stories with them.

What’s Next: Enlisted in US NAVY

Austin Beamer

Parents/Guardians: Brandon Beamer

SAE: Market Steer, Dairy Beef, Dairy, and Agriscience Research

CDE: Public Speaking

Favorite FFA Activities: FFA Conventions and conferences as I get to meet new people.

What’s Next: I plan to go straight into workforce running heavy equipment.

Janice Gilliland

Parents/Guardians: Bernadette and Eric Gilliland

SAE: Market goats, market lambs, and Agriscience Research

CDE: Livestock evaluation

Offices Held: Secretary and Committee Chair

Favorite FFA Activities: My favorite FFA activities are competing in the Livestock Evaluation CDE and going to ACES each year.

What’s Next: I plan to attend Penn State and get a degree in animal science.

Evalynn (Gracie) Graham

Parents/Guardians: Thad Graham & Adrienne Ray

SAE: Placement, Agriscience Research

CDE: Floriculture and Public Speaking

Offices Held: Sentinel and Treasurer

Favorite FFA Activities: Floriculture Trip to Big E and other FFA trips.

What’s Next: I plan to join the United States Air National Guard while obtaining a degree in mathematics and engineering then become a Loadmaster in the United States Air Force.

Alyssa Houck

Parents: Jason and Kristy Houck

SAE: Breeding goats, market goats, market lamb, market steer, and agriscience research

CDE: Livestock Evaluation

Offices Held: Treasurer and Committee Chair

Favorite FFA Activities: Attending conferences and conventions where I meet new people and learn new things.

What’s Next: I plan to attend Penn State to obtain a degree in animal science.

Paige Hoy

Parents/Guardians: Phillip and Tiffany Hoy

SAE: Photography, Gardening, Paid Placement at Leidig’s Farm, Placement Unpaid Huntingdon County Fair Communication Intern, and Agriscience research

CDE: Floriculture and Agriscience Fair

Offices Held: Historian, Secretary, and Vice President

Favorite FFA Activities: My favorite FFA activities are all the different trips and competitions we do like ACES and National FFA Convention Expo.

What’s Next: Upon graduation, I plan to enroll in a college of my choosing to pursue a degree in nursing, with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.

Madisen Jones

Parent: Debra Baker

SAE: Market goats, Market lambs, Agriscience Research

CDE: The Big E Floriculture Competition, Huntingdon County Jr. Livestock shows

Offices Held: Reporter

Favorite FFA Activities: I love going to ACES. I love the interactions we are able to have with new people and the experiences gained through those interactions.

What’s Next: I plan on going straight into the work force and working in multiple different areas.

Carlie Nowlin

Parents/Guardians: Brad and Heather Nowlin

SAE: Photography and Agriscience Research

CDE: Floriculture

Offices Held: Reporter and Secretary

Favorite FFA Activities: Any of the trips, including ACES, National Convention Expo, State FFA Convention, and The Big E

What’s Next: I plan to go to Penn State Altoona, where I will major in communications. My dream is to have a career based on agricultural communications.

Reilly Rawlings

Parents/Guardians: Alysia and Joshua Rawlings

SAE: Placement Paid – Lifeguarding and Agriscience Research

CDE: Public Speaking

Offices Held: Sentinel and Treasurer

Favorite FFA Activities: I really enjoy engaging with the community during the annual FFA Fun Clay Shoot Fundraiser

What’s Next: I plan to attend college to become a nurse.

Catherine Sklenar

Parents/Guardians: Joseph and Denise Sklenar

SAE: Market Lamb, Breeding Sheep, and Agriscience Research

CDE: State Agriscience, Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Office Held: Committee Chair

Favorite FFA Activities: Going to events and getting the opportunity to meet new people.

What’s Next: I plan to attend IUP to double-major in Marketing and Supply Chain Management.

Sarah Weakland

Parents/Guardians: Todd Weakland and Lori Williams

SAE: Photography, Paid Placement at Jean-o’s Pizzeria, and Agriscience Research

Offices Held: Photography SAE Student Advisory, Committee chair

Favorite FFA Activities: Overnight trips like ACES, the National FFA Convention and Expo, as well as the FFA Clay Shoot Fundraiser.

What’s Next: I plan to attend college and major in photography with a minor in business.

Frances Weaver

Parents/Guardians: Nathanael and Tiffany Weaver

SAE: Dairy Promotion, Market Steers, Market goats, Agriscience, and Agriscience Research

CDE: Livestock Evaluation (state and national), Senior Public Speaking, Conservation Public Speaking, Agriscience fair (local, state, and national)

Offices Held: Reporter, Vice President, President

Favorite FFA Activities: My favorite FFA Activity is when we go down to the elementary and do ag safety with the kindergarteners.

What’s Next: Air Force National Guard

Bailey Woomer

Parents/Guardian: Kenny and Kirsten Snyder

SAE: Market Steer, Dairy Beef, Dairy, Butchering, Agriscience Research

CDE: Meat Evaluation, Dairy Cattle Handling, and Public Speaking

Offices Held: Livestock SAE Student Advisory, Vice President, Chapter Student Advisor

Favorite FFA Activities: National FFA Convention and State Days trips

What’s Next: I plan to attend Penn State Butchering Program to open my own butcher shop and also run my own dairy herd.

About the Contributors

Alyssa Houck, Staff Writer

Alyssa is a senior and in her third year as a member of the Eagle Eye News. She is involved in track and field, NHS, YAN, prom committee, FFA, and student council. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and spending quality time with family. She plans to write feature and news stories about activities and events that are happening in the Tyrone community. After high school, she plans to attend Penn State University to obtain a degree in animal science.

Leora Catich, Staff Writer

Leora Catich is a freshman at Tyrone Area High School. This is her first year in the Eagle Eye, and she hopes to learn more about photography and contribute as much as possible. Outside of school, Leora loves to go fishing during the summer and also enjoys horseback riding. After high school, she plans to be an auto diesel mechanic. She loves listening to music, playing with her dog, and baking with her grandma over the holidays. One of her favorite musicians is Falling in Reverse.

Emma Postreich, Staff Writer

Emma Postreich is a freshman and this is her first year in Eagle Eye. Emma enjoys playing softball and participates for the school and her travel ball team. When she graduates, she wants to go into the medical field and find a career that involves interacting with other people. In Emma’s free time, she enjoys listening to artists such as Megan Moroney, Tom Petty, Metallica, and Alice and Chains, as well as taking walks.

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