Two from HHS named to state FFA governing board

Two recent Holton High School graduates have been chosen to serve as Kansas FFA officers for the 2015-16 year, marking the first time in the school’s history that HHS has sent two to serve in state positions, it was reported during last week’s Kansas FFA Convention.

Karl Wilhelm was elected to serve as state FFA president and Dean Klahr was chosen as state FFA secretary for the year during the 87th annual state convention, held Wednesday through Friday on the Kansas State University campus in Manhattan. Other students from Holton and Jackson Heights high schools were recognized for their achievements during the conven­tion, it was reported.

Wilhelm and Klahr were among 18 candidates running for a state officer position to represent more than 8,800 Kansas FFA members, and they will serve on a team of six officers who will travel across the state sharing their passion for agri­culture, leadership and service. Kansas FFA officers present work­shops and conferences across the state and challenge FFA members to serve their communities and the agriculture industry.

Wilhelm, son of Kevin and Brenda Wilhelm, served as vice president of Holton’s FFA chapter and has been involved in various Career Development Events (CDEs) during his four years in FFA. His Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is in sales and service. He plans to attend KSU this fall with the career objective of becoming a chemical engineer, with a focus on crop variety devel­opment.

Klahr, son of Dennis and Eunice Klahr, served as president of Holton’s FFA chapter and vice president of the North Central FFA District. His SAE focuses on work with the Jackson County Conser­vation District and his cattle opera­tion. He also plans to attend KSU this fall, and his career goal in­cludes work in the animal feed in­dustry.

Other members of the 2015-16 Kansas FFA Officer team include Vice President Bailey Peterson, Buhler FFA; Treasurer Lane Co­berly, Chapman FFA; Reporter Kyler Langvardt, Chapman FFA; and Sentinel Gabryelle Gilliam, Washington County FFA.

The election marks the first time that two HHS FFA members were chosen to serve as state officers, as well as the third time that two Jack­son County students were named state officers. During the 2013-14 year, Cody Holliday of Jackson Heights High School was named state treasurer and HHS student Elizabeth Allen was named state sentinel; in 1988, JHHS students Michael Coe and Doug Wareham were elected state vice president and secretary, respectively.

Also during the convention, Klahr was one of 10 Jackson County FFA members earning their State FFA Degree, recognized as the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow upon its members. Others earning their State FFA Degrees included, from HHS, Nils Bergsten, Emaleigh Clark, Tristan Parks, Michaela Uhl and Rilee VanDonge; and from JHHS, Austin Amon, Jessica Blum, Joe Kennedy and Will Patterson.

To achieve this award, members must have received their Chapter FFA Degree, been an FFA member and agricultural education student for at least two years, earned at least $2,000 or worked 600 hours in their SAE program, given a six minute speech about agriculture or FFA, participated in eight different leadership activities, received a “C” average or better in high school and shown a record of outstanding leadership and community in­volvement.

Klahr and VanDonge were also recognized as state finalists for top FFA honors in individual competi­tions, it was reported. VanDonge competed as a finalist against three other district stars for the state’s top honor of State Star in Ag Place­ment, while Klahr competed as a finalist against five other district stars for the state’s top honor of State Star Farmer.

Each year, the Kansas FFA As­sociation recognizes three FFA members who have the top SAE programs with the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Ag Placement awards. The Star com­petitions are sponsored by ICM, Inc., United Bank and Trust and Kansas Farm Bureau.

VanDonge’s SAE is in Veteri­nary Science Placement. With a drive to become a veterinarian in the future, VanDonge began her SAE working at Banner Creek Animal Hospital, where she has learned to run lab tests and the ba­sics of assisting in X-rays. Van­Donge is the daughter of Ted and Melissa VanDonge. Her advisors are Jason Larison and Alex Bartel.

Klahr’s recognized SAE in this competition is in Beef Production Entrepreneurship. Nine cow/calf pairs, a five-year rotational grazing lease and a one-third ownership in a Moser Ranch SimAngus bull composed Klahr’s SAE, where he hopes to increase the genetics and quality of his herd.

Also, two members of the HHS FFA chapter, Alexandria Clark and Victoria Kimbrough, participated in the State FFA Chorus during the convention. Members of the cho­rus, directed by Diana Webster, Central Plains High School, and accompanied by LeRoy Johnson, performed two concerts during the convention after submitting audi­tion tapes and recommendations from their local music instructors.

Jason Larison and Alex Bartel are advisors of the HHS FFA chapter. The JHHS FFA chapter advisor is Paul Lierz.