Gordonville-Area Student Competed for FFA Award

Troylee C. McClanahan of Jackson FFA was selected as a national finalist for the National FFA Organization's national proficiency award in Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication-Entrepreneurship/Placement. McClanahan is one of only four people who competed for this award at the national finals Oct. 30-Nov. 2 during the 86th national FFA convention & expo in Louisville, Ky.

Proficiency awards recognize outstanding student achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business, working for an existing company or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. The Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication-Entrepreneurship/Placement Award is one of 49 proficiency program areas in which FFA members can participate to develop valuable experience and leadership skills at the local, state and national levels.

Troylee C. McClanahan of the Jackson FFA Chapter in Jackson, Missouri, doesn't recall a time when he didn't go to work with his dad. He began sweeping or picking up trash on job sites, but has learned the skills to allow him to operate the chop saw, table saw, plasma cutter, welder and more. Today, McClanahan is the go-to guy and the foreman with his father's business, The Collin McClanahan Company. He is supported by his parents, Lisa and Collin and his FFA advisors,Dan Burkemper and James McCormack. He is currently enrolled in Mineral Ara College majoring in Construction Management.

This award was sponsored by Carry-On Trailer and RAM Trucks, as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 579,678 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,570 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.