Reed Naughton was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural
Services. Naughton is a member of the Olympia FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association
FFA. Illinois FFA recognizes students in forty-eight different areas based on their
work-based learning, also known as Supervised Agricultural Experiences or SAE. FFA
members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through
record keeping, leadership, and scholastic achievement may be considered for this
award. 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.
Naughton’s SAE involves him working for his family’s auction service.
Naughton was selected as the State Winner by a committee of agriculture teachers,
industry friends, parents and volunteers knowledgeable in this work-based area, who
reviewed their records online and then conducted interviews at Mt Zion High School, Mt
Zion, IL on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Reed is the son of Dan and Amy Naughton from
rural Atlanta.
Receiving this honor now makes Naughton eligible to compete in the National FFA
Awards Selection process in July, 2024. Naughton was previously chosen as the
Chapter, Section and District awardee is this area.
Naughton has been involved in the following other agriculture education and FFA
activities: Parliamentary Procedure, Livestock Judging, Dairy Cattle Judging, Public
Speaking, and Land-Use CDE’s. He is also currently serving as our chapter
vice-president and has been a leader in coordinating our community service projects.
Bryce Hoffman is the agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor at Olympia High School.
Naughton will receive a plaque for his accomplishments and be celebrated for this great
achievement at the 96th Illinois FFA State Convention, June 11 - 13, 2024. These
plaques are made possible by gifts by individuals, businesses, corporations and
organizations through the Illinois Foundation FFA.