Missouri FFA News Releases

Vangunda Receives Second Place 2009 Missouri FFA Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award

COLUMBIA , Mo., April 17, 2009 – Chasity Vangunda, of the McDonald Co. FFA Chapter, Noel, Mo., received second place FFA Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship Award at the 81^st Missouri FFA Convention.

Vangunda, a graduate of McDonald Co R-I High School, is the daughter of Robert and Kim Vangunda. Her FFA advisors are Will Gordon, Rob Hall and Brian Nelson.

As an FFA member, Vangunda won the State FFA Sales Placement Proficiency award as well as receiving a group 1 rating for Individual State Poultry and Forestry Career Development Events. She has also received her State FFA Degree.

Outside FFA, Vanguanda has been involved in her church youth group, Spanish club and a contestant in MSSU business contests. She has also exhibited beef cattle at the McDonald county fair.

Vanguanda began her Supervised Agricultural Education with beef cattle her grandfather helped her to obtain. She strived to develop a pure bred beef operation with the purchase registered Angus seed stock. Over time she has expanded her herd and is selling her bull calves for $1500.00. Vanguanda also has horses which are used to check and work cattle.

After graduating high school, Vanguanda enrolled in Crowder College and is pursuing a degree in agricultural education.

Proficiency awards recognize FFA members who excel as agricultural entrepreneurs, employees or volunteers while gaining hands-on career experience. Diversified Livestock Production Entrepreneurship is one of 47 proficiency awards presented at the state level.

The Missouri Livestock Marketing Association sponsored this award.

The Missouri FFA has 24,410 members representing 317 chapters. The national organization has more than 507,000 members representing 7,439 local chapters in 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands .

The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.