WYXY Classic 99.1 would like to congratulate the 2025 Exceptional FFA All-Stars. These young men and women represent the “best of the best” and are just a sampling of the FFA members across the Ag Force region. They are true leaders and will continue to be leaders in agriculture. They hold the future of the most essential industry in the world, agriculture.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FFA ALL STAR TO WIN THE “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” AWARD!
Addisyn McCarty
Adisyn has been a part of the Armstrong FFA Chapter for two years. This past year she served as the 2024-2025 Chapter Treasurer and was just installed to serve as the 2025-2026 Chapter President as an incoming junior. Adisyn was also awarded the Most Active FFA Member for this past year. This FFA member has not only held leadership roles and been active in the chapter, but has also succeeded through her participation in many Career Development Events, Leadership Development Events, and Proficiency competitions with her Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Adisyn competed in proficiencies with her SAE project, in the Agricultural Education division. She placed first at the section level and Runner-Up at the District level.
Adisyn has received both her Greenhand and Chapter Degree, and is pursuing the goal of earning her State Degree. In the 2023-2024 school year she competed in Creed Speaking and won her Section and also competed in Livestock Judging. In the 2024-2025 school year she competed in Dairy Foods, Agronomy, Proficiency, Ag Trivia, Parliamentary Procedure, and Job Interview. Adisyn placed first at the Section 18 Job Interview contest and will be competing at the District level.
FFA is important to Adisyn because it has helped her grow as a person. She has now come out of her shell and sees a brighter future for herself. Using the skills she has learned FFA has helped her more. Adisyn likes to see people become more involved in FFA and wants to see her Chapter continue to grow. She has kept up with FFA to keep Agriculture in the family after the passing of her grandfather who was a farmer.
Adisyn is the daughter of Travis and Clarenda Taylor and lives in Potomac, IL.
Avery Watson
Avery Watson, daughter of Adam and Anne Watson of Philo, has been an active and accomplished member of Unity High School FFA. A member for seven years, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Plot Manager as a sophomore, Secretary as a junior, and is currently serving as Chapter President. She was named Star Greenhand in 2022.
Avery has participated in a wide range of Career Development Events (CDEs), including Parliamentary Procedure, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Sales (5th in the state), Agricultural Business (6th in the nation), Extemporaneous Speaking, Creed Speaking, and Job Interview. She also placed 2nd in the nation in the FFA Agriscience Fair under the Power, Structural, and Technical Systems Division 5.
Her Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) demonstrate her dedication to hands-on learning. She is an intern for the University of Illinois’ Illinois Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey Program and works as a garden hand at 5 Acre Farm Daylilies.
Beyond FFA, Avery is active in band, National Honor Society, and student council, where she served as President and is now Vice President. She is the High School Confidential Correspondent for The News-Gazette and a member of the Philo 4-H Friends club.
After graduation, Avery will attend Iowa State University to study Agronomy, continuing her passion for agriculture and leadership in the industry.
Carleigh Kleiss
Carleigh has been a Tuscola FFA member for the past four years. During this time she has held three officer positions, she served as 2022-2023 Reporter, 2023-2024 Secretary, and this year she has served as the chapter president. Carleigh has been an active member all four years and she continues to express her leadership through not only FFA but in the classroom and on the cheer team as well. She always strives to do her very best and to lend a helping hand wherever it is needed.
As an FFA member and chapter officer Carleigh is nearly picture perfect. She has attended every chapter meeting, participated in numerous community service activities, and has excelled in multiple Career Development Events. She grew up on a two generational vegetable farming operation and she continues to assist alongside her father. She always puts forth the most effort to be the best FFA member and person she can be. She takes every opportunity and experience she encounters and turns it into an opportunity to learn how to better not only herself but out chapter.
Carleigh has used her background to create her own business where she grows and produces strawberries on her family’s farm. Her operation started as a project for her Supervised Agriculture Experience and she now wishes to continue on this generational project into a “you-pick” patch. It has been a dream of hers since she was a child to follow in her grandfather and fathers footsteps. Throughout the years she has spent countless hours learning the ins and outs of running a business which has led her to the knowledge to begin her operation.
From growing up on the farm to her experience in FFA leading into her strawberry operation, Carleigh has grown a deep fondness for agriculture. In the Fall she will be attending Parkland College to study Landscape and Urban Horticulture to eventually pursue a career in the agriculture industry.
Carleigh is the daughter of Robert Kleiss and Heather Salvatore and lives in Tuscola, Illinois.
Clair Simpson
Clair Simpson has been a Southmont FFA member for 6 years. As an FFA member, she has competed in many contests at local, state, and national levels. Clair has held leadership positions as an Indiana FFA Executive Committee member, the Indiana FFA State Band and Chorus President and Vice President, and Chapter Junior Advisor. She has been a member of the National FFA Chorus and has performed as part of the Indiana FFA State Talent program.
Outside of FFA, Clair is a 10-year 4-H member, holding leadership roles such as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of her club. She is also a member of the first Indiana 4-H Tech Changemakers team, helping bring digital literacy skills to her community. Clair is also very involved in other extracurricular activities at Southmont. She participates in show choir and theatre, performing multiple solos and lead roles. She plays tennis and is an FCA leader, NHS member, and a 5th grade cadet teacher.
Clair’s love for agriculture, music, and people has led her to be greatly active in her rural community. She has worked to promote FFA music and talent programs, and she is always encouraging her friends to further their FFA journeys and work towards new achievements.
Clair is the daughter of Darren and Kerri Simpson and lives in Waveland, Indiana.
Easton Brier
Easton has played a key role in the success of the Seeger Memorial FFA Chapter for the past 4 years in high school. He served as the chapter’s Reporter in 2023, Secretary in 2024, and, more recently, the proud President of this wonderful chapter. Along with serving as a leader for his chapter, he has also competed in numerous competition areas such as Crops Judging, Soils Judging, Quizbowl, Prepared Public Speaking, and a proficiency in Landscape Management Placement. While competing in the proficiency area of Landscape Management, Easton has placed in the top 5 at the state level in consecutive years. He strives to do his best all day, every day, and treat others with the respect that they deserve.
While serving as an FFA Officer, Easton is involved with the National Honor Society and Student Government Association chapters at Seeger Memorial High School. He also volunteers regularly at places that need help, but primarily volunteers at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop in Williamsport, Indiana, where he helps serve drinks, clean, and build one-on-one relationships with customers. While volunteering, he is also an intern for Hubner Industries in West Lebanon, Indiana, and Tolen Crop Services (a Pioneer Affiliate) in Benton County, Indiana. At both internship sites, he learns the ins and outs of the agronomy field while he treats corn and soybeans with various treatments and helps farmers planting and harvesting in the field. Even with all of this on his plate, he continues to help on the family farm, loves to fish, watches the Chicago Bears win games, and plays the guitar every night and day.
Easton’s kindness and ability to think of others before himself set him apart from the rest. Whether you’re down in the dumps and need cheering up or just need a bit of enthusiasm for your day, this leader of the people will do just that to lift your spirits. Through his passion, kindness, and other qualities, he has received numerous awards based on leadership and character within the chapter and is looked at as a figure of guidance for others.
Easton is the proud son of Hillary and Jason Brier and lives in Warren County, Indiana.
Emily Adams
Emily Adams has been an active member of the Riverton Parke FFA Chapter in Montezuma, Indiana for 5 years. She has been a part of the Livestock Skillathon Team for 5 years, Chapter Meeting Team for 2 years, and has competed in the Leadership Development Events for 4 years. Being a member of the 2023 Livestock Skillathon State winning team was a significant achievement for her. The team then advanced to compete in the Western National Roundup Livestock Quiz Bowl Contest in Denver, Colorado and placed 7th overall. The Livestock Skillathon team placed 1st in the area 4-H contest this past fall, and Emily was the Top Overall Senior Individual. Over the years, she has received the Red, White, and Blue Award, the Shield of Friendship Award, and the Workhorse Award. Emily has been awarded her Greenhand and Chapter Degrees and will be receiving her Hoosier State Degree this summer at the Indiana FFA State Convention.
Emily’s Supervised Agricultural Experience is Swine Production. Emily shows swine at the Parke County Fair. For her SAE, Emily purchases her show pigs from local producers in the early spring. She keeps accurate records of feeding, walking, washing, administering medication, and the expenses and incomes associated with her pigs.
Completing various 4-H projects has kept Emily busy over the last 8 years. She has also been her 4-H club’s vice president her freshman year and president her sophomore year. Projects she participates in include swine, woodworking, and photography.
Volunteering is extremely important to Emily whether it’s for FFA, 4-H, NHS, or the Interact Club. She has helped at the Riverton Parke FFA Hog Roast, the Annual Seed and Silent Auction, the Parke/Vermillion Humane Society, the Rotary Community Garden, and the Food Pantry. She is not only involved in FFA and 4-H but has been a Varsity cheerleader, president of her junior class, a basketball player, and track athlete. Emily has been on the Top Honor Roll and has earned Academic Excellence every year at Riverton Parke Jr./Sr. High School.
Emily is the daughter of Nathan and Brandi Adams and lives in rural Montezuma
Kandace Behrends
Kandace Behrends is currently attending Bismarck-Henning Rossville-Alvin Cooperative High School, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She has previously served as the chapter’s Treasurer and is currently serving as the chapter’s President and the Section 18 Reporter for 2025-2026. During her freshman year, she served as the chapter’s Greenhand President. Additionally, she also serves her 4-H club, Milks Grove Challengers, as Treasurer. Kandace has been showing pigs since 2018 and is very dedicated.
For the last two years, she has competed in the Section 18 Proficiency Awards in the area of Swine Production Placement. She has won first place at the Section level and competed in District IV Proficiency Awards. She states that she has always had a passion for FFA and has grown up on a farm. She remembers trying on the blue corduroy jacket for the first time, and it felt like home. She loved how the jacket looked and said that it fit snug like a hug. She is proud to represent the FFA. For the next two years, she cannot wait to continue her journey in the National FFA Organization and obtain her State Degree. In the future, she hopes to obtain an Associate’s Degree in Ag Management.
Kaylin Nolte
Kaylin has played a significant role in the Charleston FFA Chapter. Throughout her years, she has served as President, Secretary, and Greenhand President. She was the Star Greenhand with her chapter and Section 20. She has competed for two years in Beef Placement with her record book winning section both years, advancing her to districts, where she was the runner-up. She has also experienced significant success in the Livestock Judging CDE.
Throughout her years in FFA, Kaylin has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a passion for agriculture. She has successfully led chapter meetings, organized community service projects, fundraisers, and played a key role in planning major events such as the annual plant sale and chapter banquet. Under her guidance, the chapter has seen growth in members, and stronger connections with the local community. Her ability to lead with integrity and inspire others has left a lasting impact on her chapter and set a high standard for future officers.
Kaylin is the daughter of Nichole and JD Nolte, and lives in Charleston, Illinois.
Kylee Reeves
Kylee has been actively involved in Southmont FFA for the past eight years. As a high school member, she served as the chapter Sentinel, Secretary, and finally as President in her senior year. In addition to chapter office, she also served as an Indiana District IV officer for the past two years as Secretary and Vice-President. Outside of FFA, Kylee is very involved in school clubs, community service, leadership teams, 4-H, and varsity sports. She strives to be a well-rounded and compassionate leader, often mentoring younger members of her chapter and district.
As an FFA member, District Officer, and Chapter President, Kylee spends her time in the ag room running meetings, practicing for contests, and helping wherever she can. Her favorite contests are crops judging, parliamentary procedure, employment skills, and agriculture communications. She loves to attend state camps as well as national and state convention. She especially enjoys events where dancing is involved.
Kylee has gained many essential life skills that have prepared her for her future during her time in FFA. Not only has she learned the value of communication and public speaking, she has also learned many landscaping skills through her SAE where she spends her summers designing, planting, mulching, watering, and caring for her employer’s landscapes.
Kylee is the daughter of Amy and David Reeves and lives in Ladoga, Indiana.
