The Schuylerville FFA Chapter achieved outstanding success at the 2025 New York State FFA Convention held May 7–9 at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Several students earned top honors and will go on to represent New York at national competitions this fall.
State Winners & National Qualifiers
- Timothy Cox was named the New York FFA 2025 Beef Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Winner and will represent the state at the National FFA Convention in October.
- Shane Barraclough earned dual honors:
- Named the 2025 New York FFA State Star in Placement for his work on his family’s thoroughbred breeding farm.
- Also selected as State Winner in Equine Science Placement Proficiency, qualifying for the National Convention.
- Sidney Jacobs, Hannah King, Sora Dupras, and Jack Sydor won the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event, and will also represent New York at Nationals in Indianapolis.
- Lincoln Rust was awarded State Winner in Junior People in Agriculture.
- The Marketing Plan Team took 2nd place and will represent New York at the Big E in September, presenting their plan to expand King Brothers Dairy ice cream throughout the state.
Recognition of Excellence: Mr. Ducharme
High School Principal Mr. James Ducharme was honored as one of the New York FFA Outstanding Administrators for his support of the Schuylerville Agricultural Education Program. Under his leadership:
- Schuylerville has attended every National and State FFA Convention since 2019.
- The program boasts over 100 state finalists and 50 national competitors in leadership development events.
- Schuylerville has hosted multiple District and Sub-State FFA competitions.
- Mr. Ducharme played a key role in securing the CTE Endorsement from New York State.
Additional Student Achievements
- Hannah King:
- 2nd place in Senior Prepared Speaking (also one of six state finalists).
- Also placed 2nd at states in Employment Skills.
- Timothy Cox:
- State Finalist in Employment Skills (1 of 6).
- Sidney Jacobs:
- 2nd place in Senior Prepared Speaking.
- State Finalist in Senior Creed Speaking.
- Also competed in Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Issues.
- Ashley Wood:
- State Finalist in Junior Prepared Speaking, ranking among the top 6 in New York.
- Alice Armstrong:
- 3rd place in Junior People in Agriculture
- Agricultural Issues Team (Daisy Mehan, Sidney Jacob, Sora Dupras, Pilar Gammage, Shane Barraclough, Lucas Reilly, and Jack Sydor):
- Competed by presenting perspectives on a current agricultural topic impacting the local community.
- Agricultural Communications individual results:
- Sidney Jacobs – 1st place overall
- Juliana Schulze – 6th
- Ella Eichorst – 7th
- Hannah King – 8th
Empire Degree Recipients
Ten students were awarded the prestigious Empire Degree, the highest honor given by New York FFA for excellence in classroom learning, FFA involvement, and supervised agricultural experiences. Congratulations to:
- Anna Schwerd
- Ella Eichorst
- Fiona Longacker
- Jack Sydor
- Joe Headen
- Maddie Woodcock
- Shane Barraclough
- Sora Dupras
- Timothy Cox
- Wilder Gamage