Rome High School Students Win National FFA Title

Local students earn top honors at the 99th Annual FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Organic Food

Rome High School Students Win National FFA Title

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Rome High School students Iris McHaggee and Johannah Monson secured first place in their division at the 99th Annual FFA Convention & Expo. Fellow student Madylne Cruz-Hernandez also earned a bronze rating during the national competition.

Why it matters

The achievement highlights the success of local students competing against a large field of members from the National FFA Organization. The win demonstrates the academic and research capabilities of students within the national network of chapters.

The winning project examined the efficiency of 3D printer waste as filter media in 10-gallon aquariums. The National FFA Organization currently supports over 1 million student members between the ages of 12 and 21.

The players

Iris McHaggee

A student at Rome High School who placed first in her division at the national competition.

Johannah Monson

A student at Rome High School who collaborated on the first-place research project.

Madylne Cruz-Hernandez

A Rome High School student who earned a bronze rating in the social science category.

National FFA Organization

A national youth organization dedicated to agricultural education that boasts over one million student members.

The details

McHaggee and Monson presented their research on repurposing 3D printing byproducts to serve as aquarium filtration media. Cruz-Hernandez received her bronze rating for a separate social science project studying the impact of high-fat cheese consumption on dementia rates among middle-aged adults.

The National FFA Organization formed in 1928.
The students were named as competition finalists in August 2026.
The 99th Annual FFA Convention & Expo took place in October 2026.

Culture Shift

Participation in agricultural research and science fairs reflects a broader shift toward integrating sustainability into student-led academic projects. The 99th Annual FFA Convention & Expo serves as a benchmark for this student achievement, mirroring the evolution of high school research toward applied industrial and environmental solutions.

The success of these students highlights the high level of agricultural and scientific programming available at Rome High School. This achievement provides local students with a roadmap for pursuing competitive research and national recognition in future academic cycles.

The takeaway

Students looking to succeed in national competitions should focus on projects that address modern waste management and environmental efficiency. Applying creative solutions to everyday problems can lead to significant recognition at high-level events.