Warsaw Area Career Center

WARSAW, IN - The Warsaw FFA chapter recently competed in the District 2 FFA Leadership Development Events (LDE) Competition on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Tippecanoe Valley High School in Akron, Indiana.

Leadership Development Events challenge students in a variety of areas, including prepared and impromptu speaking, demonstrations, employment skills, sales and marketing, and multimedia projects. This year’s competition included more than 350 FFA members from local chapters across the district.

In addition to strong individual and team performances, Warsaw FFA was recognized for numerous Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) proficiency application awards, a second-place finish in the District Senior Welding Team competition, and a fifth-place finish in the District FFA Chapter Meeting contest.

Chapter advisors Madelyn Kelsheimer and Jacob Riley coach the Warsaw FFA Leadership Development Events teams and continue to support students in developing leadership, communication, and career-ready skills.

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Today, more than 1,042,245 student members, ages 12–21, are involved in over 9,407 chapters nationwide, exploring careers in food, fiber, and natural resources.

District 2 Leadership Development Events Results

First Place (State Qualifiers Noted):

• Agriculture Education Proficiency – Khloe Hinojosa (state qualifier)

• Agriscience Research Plants Proficiency – Ariana Bustamante (state qualifier)

• Discovery Degree Quiz Bowl – Kaleyah Bustamante, Reegan DeMange, Addison Goon, Lucas Rhoades (state qualifier)

• Employability Skills – Alayna Alexander (state qualifier)

• Freshman Creed Speaking – Madelyn Riley (state qualifier)

• Multimedia Scrapbook – Led by Khloe Hinojosa (state qualifier)

• Novice Ag Sales – Ashlyn Arnett

• Novice Food Science Demonstration – Ashlyn Arnett

• Novice Horticulture and Landscape Demonstration – Alexa Hankins, Madelyn Riley

• Novice Plant Science/Natural Resources Demonstration – Alexa Hankins

• Turfgrass Management Proficiency – Makayla Riley (state qualifier)

Second Place:

• Animal Science Demonstration – Alayna Alexander, Abigail Gordon

• Discovery Degree Food Science Demonstration – Kaleyah Bustamante, Addison Goon

• Freshman Extemporaneous Speaking – Audrey Greene

• Novice Ag Mechanics and Technology Demonstration – Peyton Robinson

• Persuasive Essay – Makayla Riley

• Premier Leadership Interview – Khloe Hinojosa

• Small Animal Care Proficiency – Makayla Riley

Fourth Place:

• Agriculture Farm and Business Management Demonstration – Sadie Reed

• Agricultural Mechanics and Technology Demonstration – Kade Lackey, Sadie Reed

• Agricultural Sales Presentation – Sadie Reed

• Discovery Degree Creed Speaking – Kaleyah Bustamante

• Food Science Demonstration – Ariana Bustamante

• Horticulture Science and Landscape Management Demonstration – Ariana Bustamante, Khloe Hinojosa

• Natural Resources Demonstration – Sadie Reed

Additional Participants:

• High School Quiz Bowl – Joseph Goble, Audrey Greene, Abigail Gordon, Madelyn Riley (5th)

• Prepared Public Speaking – Makayla Riley (5th)

• Star Greenhand Interview – Natalie Hohman (6th)

Warsaw Community Schools congratulates all participating students for their dedication, leadership and continued success.

This article was written and submitted by Chapter Reporter, Khloe Hinojosa.

Contact/Questions: Madelyn Kelsheimer – mkelsheimer@warsawschools.org or Jacob Riley – jriley@warsawschools.org

 

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Photo Provided (left to right): Warsaw FFA members celebrate their achievements at the District 2 Leadership Development Events competition (front row L to R): Alexa Hankins, Madelyn Riley, Sadie Reed, Khloe Hinojosa, Audrey Greene, Kaleyah Bustamante, Lucas Rhoades, and Reegan DeMange. (back row L to R): Abigail Gordon, Ariana Bustamante, Peyton Robinson, Alayna Alexander, Makayla Riley, Natalie Hohman, Kade Lackey, and Ashlyn Arnett. Not pictured: Joseph Goble, Addison Goon.