Pres. Matt Dietz
V-Pres. Taylor Hobbs
Sec. Taylor Dirks
Treas. Evan Cronn
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Local chapter participates inNational FFA week
By Stephanie Griffith
FFA members filled the halls with cowboy hats and boots during National FFA week, February 18-22.
Kicking off the week on Tuesday, FFA members dressed in official FFA dress and during activity period taught fourth grade PALS members about parliamentary procedure.
Wednesday was Cowboy Day. Members also provided teachers with breakfast to show they appreciate them .
Finishing off the week, members dressed in work clothes for Farmer Day. Members also drove tractors to school to be a part of the annual Tractor-Cade that traveled downtown in the afternoon.
FFA has more than half a million members in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
Livestock team prepares for district event
Contributed by Ron Smith
The FFA Livestock team placed second at the Ft. Hays Livestock Judging held Saturday.
David Ghumm and Tyler Hafliger led the team with top ten individual performances.
Members judged six classes of beef, sheep and swine and presented two sets of oral reasons.
The event was a “great tune up for our district career development event coming on April 14,” said Ron Smith FFA advisor.
Three FFA members, David Ghumm, Lliz Leiker and Tyler Hafliger, competing in the Oakley Invitational on March 26, placed third in horse judging.
Trego FFA Horse and Livestock Teams Compete at Oakley
Liz Leiker, David Ghumm and Tyler Hafliger participated at the Oakley Livestock Invitational and NW District Horse Career Development event on March 26 at Oakley.
In horse judging, Tyler placed ninth overall, receiving a medal. The team received a plaque for its third place performance.
This was an excellent outing for the young group at their first ever horse judging competition. In the event, participants evaluated halter conformation in four classes, one class of western pleasure and one in western horsemanship. After placing the classes, each had to give two sets of oral reasons to the officials.
In the livestock evaluation category, the team judged eight classes of beef, sheep and swine based on conformation, expected progeny differences, as well market and producer demands. After evaluation, participants gave three sets of oral reasons to officials.
FFA members from 14 school s participated, and Trego’s young team placed six overall, with Ghumm leading the team as 11th high individual. Both events build members’ public speaking, problem-solving and decision-making skills as they continue to develop premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
Two FFA students earn fourth-place team finish for local chapter
By Jake Schlegel
Two FFA students, Elizabeth Leiker and Evan Cronn, competed in the N.W. District FFA Career Development Event on January 21 at Hill City, and each finished near the head of his/her division.
Leiker earned first-place accolades in the freshman division with her speech “Equine Acupuncture,” while Cronn finished second in the sophomore division with a presentation about pesticides.
As a team, Leiker and Cronn placed fourth out of the nine schools competing.
After the event, FFA teacher Ron Smith said, “The two were shinning representatives for Trego FFA. Congratulations on their hard work.”
RIGHT: Evan Cronn and Liz Leiker display the medals they won at the Northwest FFA Career Development Event on January 21.
Visiting an organic dairy farm in Indiana, National FFA Convention participants experience a pasture full of Brown Swiss cattle. The livestock operation allowed students to learn about dairy production.
FFA members attend National Convention
The Trego FFA group of Brian Kuntz, Evan Cronn, Kelly Ebbert, Cody Crossland, Curtis Satran, Liz Leiker and Tyler Hafliger traveled to the 80th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 22-26.
This year’s convention theme, “Blue Jackets, Bright Futures,” provided students with opportunities for leadership development and career success. Approximately 50,000 members from all 50 states and Puerto Rico attended the event.
The trip began with a tour of the St. Louis Arch and its historical museum before the travelers headed on to Indianapolis on Wednesday. That evening, Jim Wand, world renowned hypnotist, entertained the students.
Thursday’s highlights included the “Opening Session” of the convention, which featured Speaker Rick Rigsby with his motivational message about leadership development. Students also attended the National FFA Career Expo, featuring over 400 colleges, major corporations and interactive activities about life skills. To cap off the day, the travelers rode go carts and attended the National Finals Rodeo.
Students took a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday and got a behind-the-scenes history lesson as they toured the speedway’s museum. Next was a tour of Trader’s Point Creamery, an organic dairy farming operation with a value added creamery. Here, students learned about the Brown Swiss dairy practices, milking, handling and processing of milk and products. Students were also treated to samples of cheese, milk and ice cream. Later, the FFA members spent more time at the convention to visit with prospective colleges and to visit many of the commercial booths.
Friday evening’s session included national awards in public speaking, national officer Jamie Cecil’s retiring address, and a speech by Actor Henry Winkler, who energized the crowd with his words of “If you will it, it is not a dream.”
ABOVE: FFA members competing in the FFA Northwest State Area Land Judging placed second at home on September 19. Local FFA members competing included (front from left) Liz Leiker, Taylor Bliss, Tyler Hafliger, Kelly Ebbert and Tyler Windholz; (back) Ron Smith, advisor, Cody Crossland, Matt Dietz, Curtis Satran, Taylor Hobbs and Monte Schmitt. LEFT: Liz Leiker proudly displays the award for placing first in the FFA Creed Speaking contest held in Oberlin on October 6. Leiker will advance to State competition in May.
FFA shines in recent competitions
Contributed by Ron Smith
The District FFA NW State Area Land Judging results are final. The Trego Golden Eagle team placed second out of 14 schools.
Curtis Satran was third-high individual medalist.
Other State team members included Matt Dietz, Cody Crossland and Taylor Hobbs.
Individuals also competing included Tyler Hafliger, Kelly Ebbert, Taylor Hobbs, Liz Leiker, Tyler Windholz and Monte Schmitt.
“With the exception of two seniors, this is a great young bunch to watch out for next year,” said Ron Smith, FFA advisor.
Three TCHS FFA members also attended the Greenhand Conference at Oberlin on October 6.
Liz Leiker, Monte Schmitt and David Ghumm competed in a FFA Knowledge exam, and Leiker and Schmitt participated in the Creed Speaking competition. The Creed competition featured 22 participants in the NW District from 11 schools, with the top four making it to the stage for a presentation to more than 100 freshman members.
After results were tabulated, two local members were recognized for creed or test performance.
Leiker took first place in the FFA Creed Speaking event, with a 600 score out of a possible 600 points. Leiker is one of 14 finalists who will compete for the State Creed Speaking Award at State Convention in May of 2008. Only the top two from each district will advance to State, so Leiker will be in an elite group of company. Also, Schmitt placed first on the FFA knowledge and information exam, and fourth in the Spell-down competition.
FFA welcomes new advisor
By Stephanie Griffith
FFA members, family members, and alumni gathered together at Skelly Park to welcome the new Vo Ag teacher, Ron Smith.
Participants played horseshoes, volleyball, and football. They also enjoyed a supper in Smith’s honor.
Smith, formerly a teacher at Ulysses and Seaman high schools, also teaches agriculture-related classes at TCHS.
RIGHT: Cody Crossland jumps above the net to set the ball over to the opposing team. FFA members gathered together on September 23 to welcome new Ag teacher Ron Smith. (Photo by Kelly Ebbert)
4th graders participate in ag day
Local FFA members, in partnership with Farm Bureau, held Farm Bureau Ag Day at the WaKeeney Fairgrounds on September 11.
One-hundred-twenty-three fourth graders from seven area schools attended the event. Liz Deines’ class took part in the workshops.
Literacy workshops included information about soil conservation, wheat milling, the amazing dairy cow, aquifers, weather, Kansas wildlife, and farm animals.
Local FFA members participating in the event included the following: William Hendrickson, Logan Hendrickson, Evan Cronn, Kelly Ebbert, Alexa Kersley, Jade Bliss, Tyler Hafliger, Taylor Dirks, Zach Bentham, David Ghumm, Taylor Hobbs, Cody Crossland, Health Maley, Taylor Bliss, Tyler Windholz, Ethan Ghumm, Liz Leiker, Brian Kuntz, Matt Dietz and Brandon Neff.
LEFT: Showing a goat to a fourth grade student, Heath Maley teaches her about a goat’s characteristics. Maley’s task at Farm Bureau Ag Day was to teach the young children about farm animals.
FFA takes 2nd, 4th in Land and Homesite contest
By Stephanie Griffith
Senior and Greenhand teams competed in the Northwest FFA District Land and Homesite Evaluation at Stockton on September 19.
The senior team placed second overall among 16 teams.
In the senior division, Curtis Satran placed second, while Taylor Hobbs placed third overall. Senior team members also included Matt Dietz, Cody Crossland, Tyler Hafliger, Taylor Bliss and Kelly Ebbert.
The Greenhand team placed fourth, with Monte Schmitt placing sixth overall. Other participants included Elizabeth Leiker and Tyler Windholz.
Participants judged the land for the surface and sub texture, depth of soil, slope, wind and water erosion, permeability, surface run off, land capability, vegetative and mechanical treatments, and lime and nutrient levels. In addition to these tests, the teams determined home site suitability by evaluating flooding potential, depth of water table, and the soil’s shrink-swell factor.
Ron Smith, instructor, commented about the event.
“The FFA land team was very successful. . . . Students use[d] problem solving and decision making skills in applying management practices as they analyze[d] and solve[d] problems that are facing each site.”
The team’s next competition will be the State Area Land Contest, hosted by TCHS’s FFA, Trego Soil Conservation District and the TCHS FFA Alumni, on Wednesday, September 26.
ABOVE: Tyler Hafliger analyzes soil conditions in a homesite pit to make recommendations on building and foundations, landscapes and lawns, as well as septic tank sewage lagoon requirements. LEFT: FFA members participating in the Senior and Greenhand divisions of the Northwest FFA District Land and Homesite Evaluation at Stockton on September 19 included the following students: (front from left) Elizabeth Leiker, Tyler Windholz, Kelly Ebbert and Tyler Hafliger; (back) Taylor Hobbs, Matt Dietz, Curtis Satran, Cody Crossland, Monte Schmitt and Taylor Bliss. (Photos by Ron Smith)
With more than 50,000 FFA members, the National FFA Convention provides opportunities for those in attendance to become energized about agriculture technology and careers. Also, motivational speakers can make a difference in the lives of others.
Monte Schmitt and Cody Crossland mentor fourth grade PALs participants as they listen to a parliamentary procedure conducted by FFA members on February 19.
By Stephanie Griffith
FFA hosted the 78th annual banquet on April 22 at Trego Community High School.
President Matt Dietz served as master of ceremonies, and dinner, prepared by Bonnie Windholz, was served by FCCLA after an invocation by Travis Phillips.
After dinner, the group retired to the auditorium for a slide show review. Here FFA members presented a welcome, assembled the emblem, introduced the FFA State Secretary Kyle Essley, who spoke to the assembly, and recited the FFA Creed.
Awards were given to FFA members and alumni.
Sponsor Ron Smith named local award winners for fund raising: Kelly Ebbert--$2939; Brian Kuntz--$2694; William Hendrickson--$1542; Cody Crossland--$965; Monte Schmitt--$926; Zach Bentham--$865; Heath Maley--$592; Elizabeth Lieker--$543; Matt Dietz--$523; Jade Bliss--$515.
Participation award winners included the following: 1st Elizabeth Lieker, 2nd Tyler Hafliger,3rd Cody Crossland, 4th Curtis Satran, 5th Evan Cronn, 6th Matt Dietz, 7th Monte Schmitt, 8th David Ghumm, 9th Kelly Ebbert, and 10th William Hendrickson.
Smith also announced SAE proficiency award winners: Beef Production Entrepreneurship--Cody Crossland, Beef Production Placement--David Ghumm, Diversified Ag Production Placement—Tyler Hafliger, Diversified Crop Production Placement--Monte Schmitt, Diversified Livestock Production--Curtis Satran, Equine Science Placement--Elizabeth Lieker, Equine Science Production--Elizabeth Lieker, Food Science Placement--Taylor Dirks, Forage Production Placement--Matt Dietz, Grain Production--Cody Crossland, Swine Production--Tyler Windholz, and Turf Grass Management--Matt Neff.
Star Chapter awards were earned by Elizabeth Lieker--Star Greenhand; Cody Crossland--FFA Member in Entrepreneurship; and Tyler Hafliger--FFA Member in Placement.
Greenhand Degree earners included Elizabeth Lieker, Monte Schmitt, Jade Bliss, Tyler Windholz, Shane Pfiefer, Alexa Kersley and David Ghumm.
FFA Celebrates 78th Alumni Banquet
Brian Kuntz, Logan Hendrickson, William Hendrickson, Matt Dietz, Brandon Neff, Cody Crossland, Curtis Satran, Tyler Hafliger, Evan Cronn and Taylor Bliss all earned FFA Chapter Degrees.
Matt Neff, four-year chapter member, received two scholarships, the FFA Alumni Scholarship and the Eldon Lynn Memorial Scholarship.
Alumni awards included the following: Outstanding Alumni Award--Glenn Allen Bliss; Honorary FFA Degree--Darrin Lee Brungardt; and FFA Spirit Award-- Lori Mattke.
New officers were installed before the closing ceremony; they included President Matt Dietz, Vice President Evan Cronn, Secretary Cody Crossland, Treasurer Curtis Satran, Reporter Elizabeth Lieker, Sentinel Brandon Neff, Program of Activities Officers--- Tyler Hafliger, David Ghumm and Taylor Bliss.
