Mayville High School's FFA chapter returned home from the 97th Annual Wisconsin Association of FFA State Convention with a long list of accomplishments, leadership honors and statewide recognition after four days celebrating agriculture, leadership and service from June 15-18 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
The convention marked a historic year for the chapter, highlighted by the election of recent graduate Owen Bronecki as Mayville's first-ever Wisconsin FFA State Vice President from section 10, while dozens of chapter members participated in leadership sessions, competitions, workshops and recognition ceremonies.
Bronecki said his own experiences in FFA inspired him to seek the position.
"The impact they have left on me has cultivated me into the person I've already dreamt of becoming," Bronecki said. "I desire to do the same, to be the role model that the past state officers have been for me."
During his year of service, Bronecki hopes to encourage members to take risks, explore new opportunities and step outside their comfort zones to become the best they can be for themselves and their communities.
Representing the chapter as official voting delegates were Payten Brath and Rachel Petzold. The pair served on convention committees and participated in the business sessions that help guide the Wisconsin Association of FFA. They also took part in the selection process that ultimately elected Bronecki to statewide office as Wisconsin FFA State Vice President.
The chapter was also recognized with the Wisconsin FFA P.R.I.D.E. Award, which stands for Promote, Recruit, Inspire, Develop and Educate. The award recognizes chapters that demonstrate outstanding success in member recruitment and retention while building strong, active programs.
Beyond the convention sessions, Mayville members attended leadership workshops, explored the Wisconsin FFA Convention Expo, viewed the state's top proficiency award projects and Star Degree finalists and connected with FFA members from across Wisconsin.
FFA Advisor Jake Cramer said the chapter's broad success reflects years of developing student leaders who continue to raise the bar for younger members.
"Having our FFA members have the success we had, along with our first member elected Wisconsin FFA State Vice President, conveys a powerful message about the foundation we've built and where we are headed," Cramer said. "Our strength is our members' passion and willingness to take advantage of opportunities. Our upperclassmen are building the future of our chapter by mentoring our younger members and showing what FFA has to offer."
Music students also represented Mayville on the statewide stage.
Nolan Lacke was selected through a competitive application and audition process to perform with the Wisconsin FFA Honors Band, joining more than 80 musicians from across the state. Mya Langhoff earned a place in the Wisconsin FFA Honors Choir, performing alongside more than 70 singers during convention ceremonies.
The honors ensembles rehearsed together for the first time on the opening morning of convention before performing concerts later that same day for FFA members, advisors and guests.
Langhoff's convention concluded with another prestigious honor as she was nominated to represent Wisconsin in the National FFA Honors Choir during the National FFA Convention this October in Indianapolis, where more than 70,000 members and guests are expected to attend. Both Lacke and Langhoff will also perform with the Wisconsin FFA Honors Band and Choir during the Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 13-16.
Four recent Mayville graduates also received one of Wisconsin FFA's highest honors.
Owen Bronecki, Madison Fleischfresser, Keegan Schraufnagel and Owen Steger were awarded the Wisconsin FFA State Degree during the June 17 ceremony. The State Degree is the highest honor bestowed by the Wisconsin Association of FFA and recognizes members for outstanding leadership, supervised agricultural experiences and community involvement.
The four graduates join a distinguished list of 177 former Mayville FFA members who have earned the State Degree since the chapter's first recipient in 1945. With the State Degree now complete, each has set their sights on earning the American FFA Degree, the organization's highest national recognition.
Mayville members also earned statewide recognition through the Wisconsin FFA Proficiency Awards, which honor students for skills developed through agricultural employment, entrepreneurship, research and supervised agricultural experiences.
Samara Herzog earned a sixth-place gold rating in Wildlife Production and Management and was also named the Section 10 Proficiency Winner in her category.
Rachel Petzold received a sixth-place gold rating in Diversified Horticulture, earning recognition among the state's top agricultural entrepreneurship and production programs.
From leadership and musical performances to prestigious awards and historic achievements, the 2026 Wisconsin FFA State Convention showcased the depth of talent within the Mayville FFA chapter while continuing the program's long tradition of excellence.
The convention celebrated not only individual accomplishments but also the strength of a chapter that continues to produce leaders, musicians and agricultural professionals making an impact at both the state and national levels.
Cramer believes this year's accomplishments will have a lasting impact on the chapter's future.
"When our members earn a spot on stage at state convention, success becomes real for the next generation. They start asking, 'If they can do it, why can't I?'" Cramer said. "That realization is lining up perfectly with Owen being elected as the Wisconsin FFA State Vice President. This year, our members get to experience that leadership firsthand as Mayville hosts the Wisconsin FFA Fall Leadership Workshop and the Wisconsin FFA State Officer team. For the first time, our chapter is the hub for Section 10, giving our next generation a front-row seat to what FFA can do. Our younger students aren't just watching the future of FFA — they're getting ready to host it."
The convention celebrated not only individual accomplishments but also the strength of a chapter that continues to produce leaders, musicians and agricultural professionals making an impact at the state and national levels.
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