(Ames, IA) – The Iowa FFA Leadership Conference was held at Iowa State University. During the final general session, the 2026-2027 state officers were elected. Lauren Comes was elected as the Southwest State Vice President. Comes had to complete an application, then go through a series of interviews. These interviews are designed to set the ballot for the 2026 State Leadership Convention. On Tuesday, April 21st, Comes gave a speech in front of the Southwest District Delegates and waited for the results later that night.
Comes said, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this next year as the Southwest State Vice President; it truly means more to me than I can put into words. The entire interview process was such a rewarding experience, and I feel so lucky to have met so many amazing people along the way. I wouldn’t be here without the support of those who believed in me, and I’m so thankful for every person who helped me get to this point.” Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller stated, “I am very proud of all the things Lauren has accomplished. She has worked very hard at the local level, district level, and I have high expectations for her at the state level.”
The Iowa FFA Officer team will embody the FFA motto, Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve. These nine leaders will live out their year of service speaking with FFA members from across the state, presenting leadership camps and workshops, and traveling around Iowa and the United States. They will have the opportunity to take part in Iowa FFA Foundation activities, the Iowa State Fair, Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium, the National FFA Convention, and a wide variety of FFA Career Development Events. Their largest responsibility will be to coordinate and conduct the 99th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference for over 7,000 FFA members, advisors, parents, and guests.
(Reporting by Addalyn Sonntag; Photo courtesy Does Photography)
