Special Edition e-Update - 96th Kansas FFA Convention

During the week of May 28-31st, we had 19 members participate in some aspect of the annual Kansas FFA Convention held in Manhattan. The conference is held on the campus of Kansas State University with the main sessions in McCain Auditorium. Congratulations to our members on a great State FFA Convention celebrating an outstanding 2023-24 school year.

Congratulations to all our members on a great year!

Larison Named NE District Star Farmer

During the final convention session during the Stars Over Kansas Pageant, Lora Larison was named the FFA Star Farmer for the NE District. For her SAE, Lora owns and operates Larison Sisters Livestock with her sister Clara. She raises and sells show lambs and high quality replacement ewe lambs, locker pigs and lambs, and even has secured her license with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to sell retail meat cuts direct to consumers. A highlight of presentation is the Stars over Kansas video where each member speaks about their program. A huge thank you to Farm Credit of Kansas and Kansas Farm Bureau for sponsoring the State Star Program and congratulations to Adelle Higbie from West Franklin FFA Chapter for being named State Star Farmer.  

Lora and her family at the Stars over Kansas Luncheon.

Three Leaders Earn State FFA Degree

State Degrees are worn on
a chain on the right side
of the FFA jacket.

Tiah Gross and Aaralynn Allen, Class of 2024, plus Lora Larison, Class of 2025 were awarded the gold key of the State FFA Degree during the special ceremony during the 6th general convention session. The State Degree is the highest degree the state can bestow upon a member. To earn the honor students must earn and invest a minimum of $2000 in their supervised agricultural experience program, participate in at least 8 different activities above the chapter level, present a 6 minute speech over an agriculture topic, perform more than 25 community service hours during high school, and maintain a solid academic record. Junior and senior leaders achieving this level is a rich tradition in our chapter. Edward Buss was awarded the first State Farmer Degree back in 1939. In total our chapter has had 184 total members achieve State Farmer/State FFA Degree status.

Members Perform in State FFA Band

State FFA Band sounded great! 

Four Holton members spend the week of convention practicing and performing as members of the Kansas FFA Honor Band. Elisa Bartel, Dylan Anderson, Jacob Huyett and Jace Huyett all applied in the spring and were selected to perform. Band members began practice on Tuesday morning of convention and performed concerts on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon during the final session. All 4 of our members also stepped forward and had speaking parts during the final band performance. Awesome job band crew.

Elisa and Dylan at the podium introducing the next song.

Parliamentary Procedure Team Wins 8th State Championship in School History

On Wednesday evening during the opening convention session, our team was named Kansas FFA Champions in the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event. Our team started the competition on Tuesday afternoon with a 50 question written test and a practicum over writing proper minutes then based on their test score was seeded first in preliminary round rooms where the top two demonstrations advance on to the final four. Wednesday morning they competed in state finals where they performed a demo, answered oral questions, and solved a team problem solving challenge using Roberts Rules of Order. This group has earned a special place in the history of our chapter and contributed to the rich history of Par Law success from Holton. Previous championships include the following teams: 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2018. 

Team members: Lora Larison- Chairperson, Madeline Bontrager - Secretary,
Jacob Huyett, Jace Huyett, Addison Bontrager, and Noah Bartel.

Tradition: Photo with the Big Boy Gavel, FLEXING that Par Law Muscle!

No fun is ever had by this crew, EVER!

11 State FFA Proficiency Finalists, 4 Named State Champions

Our chapter more state finalists than any chapter in the state with 11 total top 3 state finishes. Each state champion receives a plaque, $250 cash award, and advances to national competition. All finalists receive a certificate, state finalist medal, and tickets to the State FFA Proficiency Luncheon with their parents. Congratulations to these hard working members.

State FFA Proficiency Award Champions:

• Madeline Bontrager, Junior - Ag Processing
• Delaney New, College Freshmen - Ag Sales Entrepreneurship
• Lucas White, Sophomore - Forest Management and Products
• Lora Larison, Junior Sheep Production Entrepreneurship

Additional State Finalists:

• Noah Bartel - Landscape Management
• Noah Bartel - Turf Grass
• Kennedy Smith - Vegetable Production
• Lucas White - Diversified Ag Production
• Wyatt Shields - Diversified Crop Production Placement
• Lora Larison - Diversified Livestock Production Entreprenuership
• Jacob Huyett - Diversified Horticulture

Freshmen Conduct of Meetings Team Competes

After winning the district championship last November, our freshmen team competed in the State FFA Conduct of Meetings career development event. This event challenges members to perform opening and closing ceremonies, tests their knowledge of parliamentary procedure, and requires them to perform as an officer team. They took a written test and finished 3rd in the state in that area and performed thei demonstration and answered oral questions in the prelims. They were just a few points away from advancing to the state finals. We are extremely proud of these greenhand leaders. Addision Bontrager - President, Rebekah Dement -Vice President, Tinsley Bradley - Secretary, Lane Pruett - Treasurer, Sydnee Visocsky - Reporter, Adalyn Bartels - Sentinel, Katie Purcell - Student Advisor.  

Nursery and Landscape Championship Team Recognized

2024 Kansas FFA Champion Nursery and Landscape Team

After winning the first state nursery championship earlier in the month, our team was recognized on stage on Friday morning of convention. Team members include: Jacob Huyett (Also recognized as the Individual State Champion), Jace Huyett, Lora Larison, and Madeline Bontrager. Jace and Lora received special recognition from Stihl Power Equipment for placing top 4 in the state and each earned a $1000 college scholarship from the sponsor. Also of note: Jacob already earned a $1000 college scholarship from Stihl last year. Excellent job Nursery team!

Thank you CHS Foundation!

Addison Competes in State FFA Creed LDE - History Making Freshman!

After winning the District Championship last January, Addison Bontrager competed in the Kansas FFA Creed Speaking preliminary round on Wednesday of convention. She presented the creed and answered oral questions to judges. 

It is worth mentioning that Addison is the first Holton FFA Freshmen to compete in three Leadership Development Events at Convention. On Wednesday alone, she competed in creed speaking, chaired the freshmen Conduct of Meetings Team, and performed in the state finals on the State Champion Parliamentary Procedure team. What a day and what a freshmen year for our Star Greenhand. Addison, thank you for your dedication to our chapter. we can't wait to see where your FFA future and career in the agriculture industry goes!

Maddy and Lora Compete in State Prepared LDE Prelims and Serve as Official Delegates

On Wednesday of convention Madeline and Lora presented their prepared speeches and answered oral questions in the first round of the Kansas FFA Prepared Speaking LDE. Earlier in the month they had submitted APA formatted manuscripts for judging. Even though they did not advance, they both spoke extremely well and we are proud of them for representing Holton FFA. Also on Wednesday and throughout convention the two served as our two official voting delegates at business meetings. Maddy also had additional responsibilities as a member of the NE District FFA Officer team.

Chapter Donates to Kansas FFA Foundation

Chapter Seed Program Participant

Last spring the chapter voted to participate in the "Chapter Seed Program" by making a $200 donation to the Kansas FFA Foundation. Tinsley and Sydnee represented our chapter on stage for the ceremony.

Katina Bartel - National FFA Scholarship

Each year Foster Ford in Holton participates in the Built Ford Tough National FFA Scholarship program through National FFA. The 2024 Recipient was Katina Bartel who is in her sophomre year at Barton County Community College. The national FFA scholarship program is open to high school seniors as well as freshmen and sophomores in college. Congratulations Katina and thank you to Scott Foster and the whole Foster Ford crew for their continuing support of this program.

$1000 College Scholarship Winner

SAE Grant Winners Recognized

Three members were recognized during convention for being 2024 recipients of $1000 National FFA SAE Grants. Congrats to Noah Bartel, Lora Larison and Tristan Simpson-Worley. 

2024 National SAE Grant Winners

Larison Awarded State FFA Alumni State Scholarship

Last winter, Lora applied for a scholarship with the Kansas FFA Alumni to offset costs to attend the Washington Leadership Conference this summer. She finished 4th in the state when the applications were scored and received a $550 scholarship. Students from chapters with active alumni affiliates receive $850 scholarships, therefore a goal for this school year is to get our FFA Alumni Affiliate back going and active with the chapter and state for future applicants. If you would like to help be watching for more information.