The Ohio Star State FFA Degree Awards are among the highest honors an FFA member can earn at the state level, representing not just agricultural excellence, but a commitment to growth, service, and leadership. For one student to qualify is a feat. For three students from the same chapter? That’s history in the making.
At the 2025 Ohio FFA Convention, Archbold FFA will send three members to the stage as finalists in three separate Star State FFA Degree Award categories: Titus Rufenacht, Baylee Lumbrezer, and Aaron Miller. Each have completed impressive Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE), participated in leadership activities, and competed in Career Development Events (CDE). All three are recent graduates of Archbold High School and served in various leadership roles within the Archbold FFA.
Titus Rufenacht is a finalist for the Star Farmer award, as well as the beef entrepreneurship proficiency. His SAE includes feeding out cattle from calf to steer and managing his own corn and soybean acres. He is currently attending Northwest State Community College to study agribusiness with plans to return to the family operation as the fourth generation on the farm. In 2024, Rufenacht placed third in the state for the Beef Entrepreneurship proficiency.
“Being in FFA helped to reinforce my aspirations of working on my family’s farm,” Rufenacht said. “FFA made me more knowledgeable about agricultural topics and helped me get closer to that goal.”
Baylee Lumbrezer earned her spot as a Star in Agribusiness finalist through a company she built from scratch, called Baylee’s Braids. Her handmade paracord, mule tape, and leather horse tack products are sold directly to customers looking for high-quality, customized gear.
“I try to keep my prices competitive, but my products are more personalized and higher quality than others,” Lumbrezer shared. “I think more people are willing to buy from me than other places.”
Lumbrezer is also up for the agricultural mechanics design and fabrication proficiency award. Last year she placed third in the category. In 2023, Lumbrezer placed first in the agricultural sales proficiency. She shares that FFA helped her to develop leadership skills and discover her passion for agriculture. Lumbrezer is a student at Northwest State as well, studying agribusiness and agronomy.
Aaron Miller is a finalist in the Star in Agricultural Placement category. His SAE centers around working on two different cattle farms. He helps raise feeder calves on one farm and then cares for fat steers at the other. In 2024, Miller placed first in the state for the beef placement proficiency.
Part of the requirements for the placement award is to show growth and development through employment.
“They want to see that you’ve grown,” Miller explained. “I’ve learned a lot. I went from not knowing too much, to being able to feed, vaccinate, move, and take care of cattle.”
Miller also attends Northwest State and credits FFA for expanding his view of career opportunities in agriculture. “It’s not just about running a tractor,” Miller said. “There are so many opportunities to be involved in agriculture.”
The trio’s success is not lost on their longtime FFA advisor and agriculture teacher, Ryan Sell.
“In 24 years of teaching, I’ve never had one student become a Star finalist, let alone three in the same year,” Sell said. “It’s a big deal for me personally, but more importantly, it’s a big deal for our program.”
Sell, who encouraged the students to apply, admits the process required long hours and lots of editing. But the payoff was worth it.
“When you have students that put as much into their programs as what these three have, then you want to see them take that as far as they possibly can. I knew their applications were strong enough to make it on stage,” he said.
As the convention nears, all three finalists share a mix of emotions: excitement, nerves, and pride.
“Being on stage is one of the most exciting things at State FFA Convention,” Lumbrezer said. “You get to see behind the scenes and feel all the emotions of it.”
Miller echoed that sentiment. “I am looking forward to being in front of all the Ohio FFA members on stage.”
Rufenacht agreed. “It’s one of the biggest awards in Ohio FFA. I’m excited to represent our chapter and hopefully compete at National FFA Convention.”
The students were quick to thank their advisor for helping them navigate the process.
“There’s a lot of paperwork and late nights,” Rufenacht said. “Mr. Sell put in the time to help us and sacrificed his time to be with us to apply for these awards.”
Whether they walk away with the coveted title or not, one thing is certain: Archbold FFA is already winning.