Central City FFA Chapter

Abby Maresh received 3rd place in the State Creed Speaking Contest

Many opportunities are missed because it is dressed in bib overalls and looks like work. However, one opportunity was presented to Nebraska to attend State FFA Convention March 28-30th. Central City FFA was a proud attendee and competitor. With 26 members and two sponsors on board we were ready to find and accept this inspirational opportunity. The attendees included: Mitch Herbig, Kristian Lindburg, Mikaela Wilshusen, Isaac Jefferson, Brittney Jefferson, Mollie Maresh, Emily Kleve, Chelsey Beck, Krissa Gulbrandson, Paige Benner, Mikayla Bankson, Brianna Bankson, Jennifer Jensen, Jordan Dose, Katie Benner, Abby Maresh, Alexis Ohlman, Tyler Tomasek, Taylor Wall, Nathan Bankson, Shane Broekemeier, Andrew Budde, Aaron Schnitzler, Garrett Kasperbauer, Zack Reeves, Riley Malasek, Matthew Hall, and our sponsors: Marie Jensen, and Mr. Maresh(our advisor.) Our speaker CC Vernon, a keynote speaker, said "The difference between a champ and a chump is you." Well we had some champs in Central City with Abby Maresh placing 3rd in the Creed Speaking competition.  Tyler Tomasek received first place in Ag Mechanics and will be competing at Nationals in October.  Other participators in state competition was our Senior Parliamentary Procedure team consisting of: Issac Jefferson, Emily Kleve, Mikaela Wilshusen, Brittney Jefferson, Chelsey Beck, and Paige Benner, the team received a silver; our Ag Mechanics team whom consisted of: Tyler Tomasek, Zack Reeves, Shane Broekemeier, and Josh Wilshusen; the Agronomy team: Mollie Maresh, Riley Malasek, Mitch Herbig, Kristian Lindburg; our Farm Management team: Mitch Herbig, Riley Malasek, Tyler Tomasek, Kristian Lindburg; and finally there was the chorus members: Issac Jefferson, Brianna Bankson, Mikayla Bankson, and Krissa Gulbrandson, who received two honor solos. During the day students competed in their contest or they attended different sessions presented by different State Officers. On Thursday you could attend the career fair and collect information in return for a free "I Believe" t-shirt. An ongoing event inside the Cornhusker Marriott was the college fair giving a popular impression "The choices you make now effect the rest of your life", also said by our keynote speaker Patrick Mauer. At night when the stars come out is when the FFA comes alive; every member attending convention makes their way to the Pershing Center to listen to inspirational speakers, accept awards, and hear the joyful choir sing. One speaker, Patrick Mauer, gave many people the impression to "live without fear", explaining to us that "FEAR is False Expectations Appearance Real", and to live without the false expectation you will take a risk, as you should every day. When we live without fear we begin "to focus on the positives and appreciate what we have." Finally we heard from the Governor, good ole' Heineman. Riling up the 3,560 FFA members present, he told us to get the Ag message out with the use of social media, for when agriculture is strong our economy is strong. The U.S. currently spends only 1/4 of 1% of our budget on agriculture.