ASHTON — Kate Viall was selected as the District Discovery FFA Star in Agricultural Placement. Viall is a member of the Ashton-Franklin Center FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA.  Illinois FFA recognizes four outstanding FFA members in each of the five FFA Districts in Illinois. Each is honored as the District Star Award for outstanding accomplishments in FFA and agricultural education. The District Star Awards – including the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness, Star in Agricultural Placement and Star in Agriscience, recognize FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership and scholastic achievement. SAEs allow students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results.

Viall was selected as the District I winner by a committee of agriculture industry representatives and teachers knowledgeable in this work-based area. Viall is the daughter of Adam & Kelly Viall from Ashton.

Receiving this honor now makes Kate eligible to compete in the State FFA Awards Selection process in Decatur on Saturday, March 25. Kate was previously chosen as the Chapter and Section awardee in this area.  

Kate has been involved in the following other agriculture education and FFA activities: Meats Judging, Food Science, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Agronomy, Grain Fair, Vo-Ag Fair, Poultry Judging, Dairy Judging, Livestock Judging, Vet Science and Ag Expo. Kelly Viall is the agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Ashton-Franklin Center Junior/Senior High School.

Kate will receive plaques for her accomplishments. These plaques are made possible by gifts by individuals, businesses, corporations and organizations through the Illinois Foundation FFA.