MACON, Ga. – Recipients of the Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) Scholarship were recognized at the 95^th State FFA Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 27-29, 2023. 

At the Washington Leadership Conference, FFA members from across the United States meet in the Capitol to put leadership into action. While at the conference, members learn to value people, take action, and serve others while participating in leadership activities and community service. The WLC Scholarships presented at the convention will pay for Georgia FFA members to attend the conference this summer.

The 2023 Larry and Gwen Corzine WLC Scholarships were awarded to Ethan Bertram of Mary Persons FFA chapter, Brandon Arnsdorff of Montgomery County FFA chapter, and Maria Ibarra of LaGrange FFA chapter. The parents of Central Region Agricultural Education Director, Chris Corzine, award these scholarships to FFA members from Areas 3 and 4. 

The 2023 Terry and Cindy England WLC Scholarship was awarded to Carter Hendricks of the Madison County FFA chapter and Ella Strickland of Jackson Empower FFA chapter. Representative England is a past Georgia FFA Alumni Association President and past member of the National FFA Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

The winners of the 2023 Mort Ewing WLC Scholarship were Blayze Ramer of Alcovy FFA chapter and Leyton Morris of Morgan County FFA chapter. Mr. Ewing sponsors this scholarship annually in honor of his service as the Georgia State Farm Bureau President.

The 2023 Georgia Federal State Inspection Service Supervisors Scholarship was awarded to Lillian Grace Reynolds of the Baconton Charter FFA chapter.

The 2023 Warren Wilkinson Memorial Scholarship was presented to Abigail McFarland of Fannin County FFA chapter. State Senator and retired Agricultural Education Program Manager, John Wilkinson, sponsors this scholarship in memory of his father, Mr. Warren Wilkinson, a former FFA member, agricultural education teacher, principal and county school superintendent. He was a passionate supporter of the FFA program and was awarded both the Honorary State and American FFA Degrees. 

The winner of the 2023 Newton County Farm Bureau Scholarship was Kaitlyn Cox of Eastside FFA. 

The 2023 WLC Scholarships sponsored by the Georgia FFA Alumni Association were received by Andrew Carnley of Perry FFA and George Parham of Madison County FFA.  

The 2023 Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Katie Moncrief of Crawford County FFA, Sofia Piraino of South Effingham FFA, Makena Blalock of Sonoraville FFA, Carson Lynn of Bainbridge FFA, Eva Wessels of Lee County FFA, Harrison Russ of Citizens Christian FFA, Loralye Irwin of Jasper County FFA, Emily Utrera of South Effingham FFA, Kaylee Grimaud of Washington-Wilkes FFA, Kathleen Dykes of Clarke Central FFA, Amelia Housley of Stephens County FFA, and Megan Jacobs of Jefferson City FFA.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are nearly 860,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 80,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation.  The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education.