Two new officers hail from southern Illinois; two more are legacy officers following in their parents’ footsteps; and another has drawn her FFA inspiration from her family’s farm.
More than 500 FFA member-delegates have elected a new slate of officers to lead the Illinois FFA in 2024-25. The new officers are:
President Trenton Payne, Olney FFA
Vice President Brody Will, Dieterich FFA
Reporter Sidney Stiers, Williamsfield FFA
Secretary Owen Torrance, West Prairie FFA
Treasurer Emma Dinges, Amboy FFA
Payne was elected president following two rounds of voting and was nearly speechless as he addressed the delegates. “I’m in awe right now! I really don’t know what to say. I just want to thank the Illinois FFA,” he said.
Hailing from Olney, Payne has spent time on the farm with his grandfather and was inspired to run for state office as a junior and a section officer. Meeting former state officer Margaret Vaessen his freshman year was also inspirational.
And the thought that a young member could be looking up to him now?
“That’s wild! Freshman year, I did not think this would happen, so it’s crazy to even think about the situation, but I’m extremely excited for it,” Payne said.
Payne’s parents are Shad and Diane Payne, and his FFA advisors are Mark Steber, Jamie VanDyke and Hayden Kinkade. Payne just graduated from high school and plans to attend Olney Central College following his state officer term.
Vice president: Brody Will
Will from Dieterich and Payne are section neighbors and shared a running hug backstage after the election.
“I’m just so happy,” Will told him.
“You’re really sweaty!” Payne said with a laugh.
The pair became good friends over the past year, carpooling to FFA events. “We’ve really become good friends over this past year — and now the chance we can become even closer, which I’m really excited about,” Will said.