North Miami FFA Sweeps Nationals
Published: Friday, May 15, 2026
At the National 4-H Land Judging Contest, in El Reno, Okla. North Miami youth earned national champion honors in the ag site division. Wyatt Smith was named national high individual. North Miami High School also made history with a second team from the school earning reserve national 4-H champion honors—the first known time a single school captured both national champion and reserve champion titles in the same contest.
That reserve team included Tyler Tacheny, who finished third individually, Rivkah Miller in fifth place, Kinley Deardorff in sixth place, and Oliver Wildermuth in ninth place individually.
Smith's teammates Bryanne Sturch, who placed fourth individually, Lane Hunt in 11th place, and Jayce Burns in 15th place combined to win the national championship team title.
Smith is the son of Heather Smith who is the current Miami County 4-H Educator and values both FFA and 4-H participation.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to coaches Jim and Glen for the incredible impact they have had on my son's life. Their encouragement, patience, knowledge, and expertise has pushed him to work harder, grow stronger and believe in himself," she said. "Thank you for working with these youth, I will forever be grateful for the role each of you play in coaching the FFA and 4-H teams. I am so thankful to have partners in our county who are passionate about Agricultural Education whether the title is FFA or 4-H!"
FFA Advisor Jim Wildermuth reiterated the appreciation he has for Heather Smith as the county 4-H youth educator as it takes her help and support to enroll, register and meet 4-H guidelines in order to provide these outstanding career and leadership opportunities for youth. He also expressed appreciation for his school administrators, teachers and community for their continued support of the agricultural education program.
While competing in El Reno, contestants also participated in the 4-H homesite evaluation contest, where Miami County teams earned third and fourth place team finishes. Individually, Oliver Wildermuth placed fourth, Bryanne Sturch placed ninth, and Wyatt Smith placed 10th.
The national teams were coached by former national participants who are senior students at North Miami: Joannah Wildermuth, Hannah Early and Meggan Starkey, alongside agriculture teacher Jim Wildermuth who was the outstanding Ag Teacher of the Year in 2025 and retired agriculture teacher Glen Jones, who has attended 37 of the past 40 national contests.
With hundreds of students representing more than 30 states at the national event, Miami County youth demonstrated that dedication, mentorship and cooperation between 4-H and FFA continue to create opportunities for local students to compete—and succeed—on the state and national stage.
The celebration did not end in Oklahoma. When the national champion teams returned home, Heather Smith coordinated with Jesse Million of the Denver Fire Department to organize a memorable hometown welcome. Fire trucks and police vehicles escorted the bus back into the community while families, supporters and local residents lined the North Miami school parking lot with farm equipment and celebratory fireworks to honor the Warriors accomplishments.
The parade-like welcome served as a powerful reminder to the youth that their hard work, dedication and teamwork had made their community proud and that they would forever be remembered as National Champions who made school history.
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