Hunter Anne Julian, a senior member of the Daviess County High School FFA chapter, has been accepted to the 2015 National FFA Chorus. She is among 80 students from across the nation who will perform at the 2015 National FFA Convention and Expo in Louisville on Oct. 24. Selection is highly competitive and is based on teacher recommendation and a rigorous audition during which judges evaluate voice quality. Julian credited her FFA advisors and vocal music teachers for her success. “I auditioned last year for the national FFA chorus and did not make the cut,” she said. “This motivated me to work even harder with my voice lesson teacher, Mrs. Sheila Ann Miller; and choir director Mrs. Candy Miller. My FFA advisors (Jason Smith, Chad Askins and Craig Howard) encouraged me to audition again for the chorus. They always talk about being persistent and never settling for anything less than 100 percent. Like always, they were right!” Candy Miller is the choral director at Daviess County High School. Sheila Ann Miller was the choral director at DCHS for many years before her retirement and continues to coach students with private lessons. Julian said the selection has a sentimental value to her as well. “My grandfather was a part of the National FFA chorus his senior year of high school and often expressed his desire to see me become a part of the chorus,” she said. “Being able to follow in his footsteps makes this accomplishment even more special.” Her grandfather, C.A. Pantle, died in January 2014. Speaking on behalf of fellow DCHS agriculture education teachers and FFA advisors Askins and Howard, Jason Smith said, “We are thrilled Hunter Anne has this opportunity to represent Daviess County at the National FFA Convention. In addition to her leadership and speaking skills, Hunter Anne has a very talented singing voice and this opportunity will allow her to share it with all attending the national convention.” Hunter Anne Julian said her participation as a member of the DCHS FFA chapter has provided skills that will benefit her far beyond high school. “FFA is my extended family,” she said. “Like most families we all have many interests, like music, but all have a passion to improve agriculture in general. My advisors are always there to motivate me, support me and help me to excel, both in and out of the classroom, and to reach my full potential. My FFA experience has helped me become a better public speaker, a better leader and a better advocate for agriculture.” Julian serves as president of the DCHS Future Farmers of America chapter. She is the daughter of Bret and Jane Julian of Owensboro.