FFA members attend state convention
By SONYA ROBERTS
Members of Peabody-Burns FFA attended the 76th annual state FFA convention June 1-4 on the Kansas State University campus.
Those attending were Amber Langenegger, Wes Brewer, Michael Unruh, Jessica Slater, Leann Spinden, Amber Spechtenhauser, Andrea Ferren, Derek Benson, Ben Jantzen, and Jason Unruh. Sponsors were Sonya Roberts and Denise George.
Langenegger and Brewer, state FFA band members, and Slater and Spechtenhauser, state FFA choir members, traveled June 1 to Manhattan to begin three days of intense practice. Choir members performed during the second session while band members performed during the third session. Both choir and band performed Friday evening during the final session.
The Brewer and Langenegger families joined the group Friday evening to watch the performance.
Leann Spinden participated Wednesday afternoon in the job interview career development event. The event consisted of preparing a resume and cover letter for an agricultural job. Spinden had to complete a job application, go through an interview, and write a follow-up letter. Leann was recognized Wednesday on stage as the state winner. She will represent the state during the national FFA convention in Louisville, Ky.
Spinden also was recognized for her third place finish on the FFA leadership information exam taken at the South Central District Leadership School.
The state winning Envirothon team — consisting of Derek Benson, Jantzen, Spinden, M. Unruh, and J. Unruh — was recognized Friday morning on stage and received their plaque. The group attended the CDE (career development event) following the session. They also will go on to compete in National Environmental Science at national convention.
During the week, students attended sessions and were inspired by various speakers including the addresses of retiring state officers; KC Wolf, mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs; Trevor Match, former NFL player and current announcer; and Javier Moreno, national FFA president. A highlight of convention Friday evening as the announcement of the 2004-05 state FFA officers.
It was a busy, enjoyable week for those attending. Members are exciting to bring what they learned at convention back to the PBHS chapter.
For Brewer, Langenegger, and M. Unruh it was the close of their FFA career and they will be missed next year.
The next activity for PBHS FFA officers will be a camp in July at Barton County Community College.
