In a historic performance of academic excellence, the Bolivar High School FFA Entomology team was crowned the 2026 National Entomology Champion Team at the National FFA Invitational held at Tarleton State University. Adding to the team’s victory, Bolivar senior Ellie Samek was named the National High Individual, placing first in the nation among all competing students.
After placing fifth at the Missouri State competition—nearly missing the chance to compete
nationally—the team spent months in intensive study to prepare for a more difficult, fast-paced national format.
For National High Individual Ellie Samek, the win was the culmination of a goal set the moment she walked into Bolivar High School.
"One goal that I set in my freshman year of high school was to be on a competitive FFA contest team," said Samek. "Four years later, I can say with confidence that I have achieved that goal! When they called Bolivar as the National Champions, I was filled with so much excitement and pride for the work our team had put in!"
Samek noted that the skills learned—identifying over 100 insect species, diagnosing plant disorders, and calculating pesticide applications—have practical applications beyond the trophy. "I have learned skills that not only aided in a competitive contest season, but also knowledge that I can use on my family farm and in my future."
The team, comprised of Samek, Astra Beachy, Makayla Methvin, and Kory Pauley, had to adapt to a national stage where the margin for error was razor-thin.
"When we learned that the written tests, practicums, and identification portions were all going to be shorter, we knew the difficulty level was about to go way up," explained senior Makayla Methvin. "Every single point mattered."
Astra Beachy added that the victory felt even sweeter given their fifth-place finish at state. "I honestly couldn't believe it. We could have not qualified, which makes this victory feel so much better."
The team attributed their success to their advisor, Mrs. Brown, whose expertise and encouragement kept the team focused through months of late-night study sessions and travel.
"Mrs. Brown was so encouraging and positive the entire contest season," said Kory Pauley. "I really admire her undying love of learning and her passion for entomology. She always made sure that we fully understood anything we learned."
The championship serves as a testament to the strength of the Bolivar FFA program, proving that with dedication and the right mentorship, Bolivar students can compete and win against the best in the country.
As the seniors prepare to hang up their FFA jackets, they do so as national champions.
"I truly cannot imagine a better way to end my FFA career," concluded Methvin.
