Kellie Einck of the South O’Brien FFA Chapter became the first FFA American Star winner from Iowa in nearly 20 years at the 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

Einck won the 2017 American Star in Placement, one of four Star Awards presented each year to FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills through completion of a Supervised Agricultural Ex­­perience (SAE). The other three categories are American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness and American Star in Agriscience. The winners received cash awards totaling $4,000.

Through the SAE, students learn by doing, such as owning or operating an agricultural business,...