By: Hayden Huels
Carlyle High School senior Brody Diekemper placed first in the Illinois State FFA
Proficiency Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in the area of beef production
entrepreneurship.
“It was a great experience, from meeting new people to seeing friends from far away. I
was glad to have the opportunity,” said Diekemper.
Diekemper had to compete at section, then districts and after he won districts he made it
to state.
Junior Katelyn Davison also competed in the State Proficiency SAE in the area of safety,
where she talked about her time as a lifeguard.
“At state, their SAE record book is judged by five judges, and then the candidate is
interviewed. The highest ranked score determines the state winner,” said agriculture teacher
Tamra Gerstenecker.
These State Proficiency awards honor FFA members who, through SAE, have developed
specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.