The 97th Kansas FFA Convention was held on the Kansas State University Campus, May 28-30. Many area students were honored with awards, or named to new leadership positions.
Kiley Dillow and Marie Wright, of the Chanute FFA Chapter, placed first and were named the winners of the Social Systems category of the Kansas FFA Agriscience Fair. Their project will now move on to compete in the National Agriscience Fair during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis in October, according to Chanute FFA adviser Zachary Callaghan.
Neodesha FFA member, Maggie Chandler, was elected to serve the Kansas FFA as their State Treasurer for the 2025-2026 year.
Chandler gave a speech at the Opening Session on May 28, and election results were announced on May 30.
Chandler has been actively involved in agriculture and FFA, using her experience and recognition at McPeak’s Be A Champ Show Cattle Camp to model perseverance and dedication while encouraging younger members to pursue success through effort and selflessness.
“I want every member to know they are not alone—my goal is to create a space where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to find their place and grow as leaders in this organization,” Chandler said in her officer application.
Another Neodesha FFA member Tucker Leck was recognized as the State Star in Ag Placement.
Each year, the Kansas FFA Association recognizes three FFA members who have the top Supervised Agricultural Experience programs with the Star Farmer, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Ag Placement awards. The Star competitions are sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, United Bank and Trust and Kansas Farm Bureau.
Leck’s SAE is in agriculture placement at Leck Family Enterprises. His role supports a diverse operation focused on
See CONVENTION, continued on page 3 producing high-quality show pigs, French Bulldogs and farm-fresh eggs. The swine herd includes 20 sows with an emphasis on crossbred and purebred genetics, while the French Bulldog program consists of 16 females and 2 males. Tucker also helps manage a 39-hen egg facility, focusing on nutrition and biosecurity. With over 2,500 hours invested since his freshman year, Tucker has gained hands-on experience in swine production, neonatal care, breeding and feed management.
During this convention, A total of 67 members from the Southeast district were awarded their State FFA Degree.
The state degree is the highest honor the Kansas FFA Association can bestow upon its members. In order to achieve this award, members must meet the following requirements: 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 Supervised Agricultural Experience 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.
The following members awarded from the Southeast district are as follows.
Chanute: Addie Finley, Reed Hurt, Tinley Solomon, Wyatt Stephenson, and Violet Stich. Cherryvale: Walker Erbe, Weston Erbe, Kole Traylor, and LiliAnn Whittley. Columbus: Gracie Hall, and Madisen Rand.
Eureka: Miley Baumgartel, Cody Johnson, TJ Mills, Corinne Nelson, and Hannah Perrier.
Fredonia: Ashton Oneal, and Kolin Unruh.
Girard: Josie Gronau. Independence: Madelin Beshear. Iola: Carly Kramer. Labette County: Zaylain Baldwin, Sierra Hill, Lucy Pearson, Jaya Fiscus, Cashlee Smith, Pyper White, and Lily Wiley.
Madison: Sadie Albert, Bayleigh Benjamin, Sadie Davis, Octavian Dean, Reese Hurlburt, Caylin Luthi, Hope Miller, and Kamdynn White.
Marmaton Valley: Sophia Heim. Neodesha: Delaney Bradford, Maggie Chandler, Zain Kaufman, Jenna Meseraull, Tucker Leck; Riverton – Gavin Boyes, Genevieve Elliot, Sydney Moore, Kendel Root, and Riley Sturgis. Uniontown: Maria Cibrian, Jewel Endicott, Colter Powell, Seth Shadden, and Klara Stock. West Elk: Molly Harshman, Baylee Hogan, Edward Metcalf, Jared Tucker, Garett Usry, Brock Baumgartel, Rachel Humphrey, and Elizabeth Woods. Yates Center: Kevin Brown, Clayton Culver, Micol Dixon, Madison Hall, Blake Morrison, Lauren Schultz, and Wylee Shaffer.
