Media Contact:
Kevin Kent, kevin.kent@flaffa.org
DeSilvestro Wins State Agricultural Proficiency Award
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida FFA is pleased to announce Danielle DeSilvestro of the Lennard FFA
Chapter as the winner of this year’s Wildlife Management Proficiency Award. DeSilvestro and the
other finalists of this award were recognized at the 85th annual Florida FFA State Convention and
Leadership Conference this past June.
DeSilvestro and the top four finalists received awards sponsored by Florida Wildlife Federation, as a
special project of the Florida FFA Foundation.
Lennard FFA member, Danielle DeSilvestro has always loved the ocean and the inhabitants within.
She met Dr. Kathy Guindon, a research scientist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission in 2010 when she was an angler in the Sarasota Angler’s Tarpon Tournament. After the
tournament, Danielle took the initiative to contact Dr. Guindon and ask to assist in her research with
tarpons. She now works with Dr. Guindon on the tarpon genetic recapture study, where she spends
time collecting DNA samples from Atlantic tarpon, organizing samples and entering and verifying
data. She also spends time in the molecular genetics laboratory where she performs DNA
extractions, polymerase chain reactions and sequencing using a DNA analyzer. Through her project,
Danielle has gained insight on the patience, dedication and meticulous detail involved in biological
research. Danielle’s advisor is Erin Elsberry.
Other finalists in the Wildlife Management category included:
Kody Plemmons, Chiefland
Matthew Staples, South Lake
Mallory Morgan, Suwannee
The Florida FFA Agricultural Proficiency Awards program recognizes outstanding student
achievement in agribusiness gained through establishment of a new business, working for an existing
company, performing agriscience research or otherwise gaining hands-on career experience. It
serves as the award structure for an FFA member’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (mandatory
for all FFA members) and is designed to develop specialized skills in over 30 categories that they can
apply toward their future careers.
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About the Florida FFA State Convention
The annual state FFA convention is truly a week that absolutely everybody should experience. FFA
members come together to celebrate the achievements won by the past and present generations of
agriculturalists, while continuing to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and
career success. Over 4,000 FFA members, along with advisors, alumni, parents and supporters, will
be inspired and motivated to take pride in our industry, serve our communities, and lead our
organization to new heights.
About the Florida FFA Association
The Florida FFA Association is a premier youth, leadership organization with nearly 17,000 middle
and high school student members - as part of over 300 local FFA chapters across the state. FFA
members participate in nearly 50 leadership and career development events each year. The FFA
mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for
premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
The Florida FFA Association is a resource and support organization that does not select, control,
supervise or approve local chapter or individual member activities except as expressly provided for in
the Florida FFA Association Constitution and Bylaws.
The FFA Mission
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.
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