2024 FFA STARS OVER ILLINOIS HONORED DURING THE 

96th ANNUAL ILLINOIS FFA STATE CONVENTION

The Illinois Star Awards were announced Wednesday, June 12, 2024, during the 96th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention, Bank of Springfield Center, Springfield, IL.  

Illinois Star Awards honor the Top 4 FFA members who have developed the organization’s most outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through their Supervised Agricultural Experience, demonstrated outstanding management skills and earned the State FFA Degree – the Illinois Association FFA’s highest degree of membership. Eligible FFA members must also have met other agricultural education, scholastic, and leadership requirements.  A special thank you to Illinois Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Kristi Jones for speaking and presenting these prestigious awards.

Star in Agriscience State Winner:

Olivia Shike was selected as the 2024 State Star in Agriscience Winner. Olivia is the daughter

of Daniel and Jennifer Shike. She is a member of the Unity-Tolono FFA Chapter, advised by

Rich McCabe. Olivia’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) consists of three research

projects: an animal systems project on the effects of an injectable trace mineral on the conception

rates of artificially inseminated females and embryo transfer recipients, a social science study of

Generation Z meat preferences through a survey of junior high and high school students, and a

social science study on the impact of experiences on leadership capacity through a survey of

adults in agricultural careers. Her research can help producers understand the role and value of

trace minerals in beef cow conception, help producers understand how to market a meat product

that Gen Z wants to buy, and help the industry provide opportunities and experiences to prepare

the next generation of agricultural leaders. While she received national champion honors for all

three projects, more importantly, she found a passion for agriscience research and promoting a

future in agriculture.

Star in Agricultural Placement State Winner:

Waylon Paulek was selected as the 2024 State Star in Agricultural Placement Winner. Waylon

is the son of Craig and Katie Paulek. He is a member of the Taylorville FFA Chapter, advised by

Megan Beckmier, Charley Dammerman, and Sue Schafer. For his Supervised Agricultural

Experiences (SAEs), Waylon works at three operations. For one beef placement book, he works

at Myers Show Cattle, where his daily tasks include washing, blow drying, breaking calves, and

processing calves during calving season. For another beef placement book at Four Corners

Farms, Waylon is hired at state and national shows to wash, blow dry, feed, and fit show cattle

for youth to exhibit nationwide. He also works at Pistorius Farms, where he started performing

simple equipment operations and filling fuel trailers and now manages a three-man tillage crew

along with working ground and running the grain cart.

Star in Agribusiness State Winner:

Ty Robison was selected as the 2024 State Star in Agribusiness Winner. Ty is the son of

Jeffrey and Allison Robison. He is a member of the Goreville FFA Chapter, advised by Jeffrey

Robison. For his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), Ty owns and operates Stars and

Stripes Lawn Care. The business consists of two mowers, two weed eaters, a trailer, a dump

trailer, and access to a rental skid steer. He has one employee. He specializes in lawn care,

installation and removal of landscapes, yard beautification, and water drainage solutions. Ty

provides mowing services for 35 yards and a homeowners association.

Star Farmer of Illinois State Winner:

Drew Mickey was selected as the 2024 State Star Farmer of Illinois. Drew is the son of Jon and

Carla Mickey. He is a member of the Taylorville FFA Chapter, advised by Megan Beckmier,

Charley Dammerman, and Sue Schafer. For his Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs),

Drew has corn, soybean, and wheat production books and markets grain, scouts crops, selects

seed, and operates and services equipment. For his three livestock books, two of which fall under

his beef production SAE, he raises performance Angus cattle that he markets to commercial

producers across the Midwest. For his swine SAE, he markets gilts to local breeders and sells the

barrows to packing plants. These projects have built Drew’s knowledge of the agricultural

industry and serve as a foundation for his passion for the livestock and crop industries.

2024 Quiz Bowl State Champion - Congratulations to the River Ridge FFA Chapter.  

Updated State Extemporaneous Public Speaking Results:  1st place Marshall Pruitt, Pekin FFA Chapter.