by Brenda Buoy

 

The Burwell FFA Chapter has had a very busy spring so far this year. In the middle of March, the chapter was excited to have a FFA State officer come to the high school and talk to the members about what the State officers have done over the year. This year, Dustin Romshek was the guest State officer that came to our school. During his visit, he had the officers join him for lunch and had them work on projects as a team. The FFA chapter had difficulties finding time to hold their annual FFA Banquet. They were finally able to make time close to the end of March. The officers had a great time performing opening ceremony, presenting awards, and holding the slave auction. There were many community members who showed up for the banquet. Everybody had a fun time and the chapter was able to raise a lot of money for State. On Wednesday, March 28th, the FFA members who qualified for State left to go to Lincoln. This years State qualifiers were: Brenda Buoy in Livestock Management and Sr. Livestock Judging, Alyssa Stout in Livestock Management and Sr. Livestock Judging, Kaci Nelson in Livestock Management and Sr. Livestock Judging, Jessica Conrad in Livestock Management, Gideon Taylor in Livestock Management, Jordan Anderson in Livestock Management and Jr. Livestock Judging, Jarrod Swett in Sr. Livestock Judging, Lydia Stutzman, Brittany Brockman, and Ben Reiter in Jr. Livestock Judging. Risa Mann also qualified for the FFA State Choir.

 

 The members are also getting ready for their second highway cleanup for the year. The members plan to meet at the advisors house and split into groups. The members will go in different directions and cover about three miles of highway. Also this time of year is very busy because the members are in the middle of the electing of new officers. The members first fill out an officer application about what they know about FFA and what they would do for their FFA chapter in they were to become officers. Next, the applicants have interviews with three people and are rated on their presence and how well they answer questions. The final step is the members vote on each position. The members are very excited to see who the next year’s officers will be. The Burwell FFA chapter will be happy to have a small break in April.
Jaci Swett selected as State FFA Vice President

 

Jaci Swett, daughter of Robert and Sharon Swett, of Ericson, was selected as State FFA Vice President by the Nebraska FFA Association of March 30, 2007 at the 79th Annual Nebraska State FFA Convention in Lincoln. Jaci is a senior at Wheeler Central High School and was one of the seven officers selected. Jaci began the interview process in Kearney in March and was selected as a finalist at that time. She then continued with three days of interviews during the State FFA Convention. Jaci will serve as one of the State FFA Vice Presidents for the 2007-2008 school year and began her duties in April at the Leadership Center in Aurora.

 

Jaci also was awarded her State FFA Degree at the convention. She was recognized as one of 465 FFA members receiving their State Degree. The Nebraska FFA has 6,600 members.
Kaci Nelson receives State FFA Degree

 

Kaci Nelson of the Burwell FFA Chapter received the State FFA Degree at the recent Nebraska State FFA Convention held in Lincoln.

 

The State FFA Degree is the highest FFA degree honor that can be achieved at the state level. To receive the state degree an FFA member must have two years of active membership, must have completed 360 hours of high school Agriculture Science classes, have earned or productively invested $1000 or worked at least 300 hours in a Supervised Agriculture Experience program and demonstrated abilities in parliamentary law and given an oral presentation of six minutes or longer.

 

All the requirements are documented in a record book and an application which are reviewed by an interview committee along with passing a written examination. Congratulations to Kaci.