Stuart FFA Chapter Hosts EDGE Conference

Pictured first row (l-r): Trenadi Dodds, James King and Cody Krieger. Second row: Savannah Kramer, Lacey Paxton, Avree Blair, Sydney Estill, Chiana Tubbs, Cory Gubbels, Will Paxton and Andrew Yemma. Third row: Anthony Heiser, Layne Wallinger, Kyle Steinhauser, Jeffrey Miksch, Grant Kaup, Levi Curtis, Sarah Wallinger, Whitlee Paxton and Simon Addison.

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STUART — The Stuart auditorium became highly energized on Aug. 28 with 215 junior high students, high school FFA members and advisors from area schools.

The Stuart FFA Chapter hosted an EDGE (Engaging Districts for Growth and Excellence) conference with chapters in attendance from Ainsworth, Keya Paha, Rock County, Boyd County, Atkinson West Holt, O'Neill, Elgin, Wheeler Central, Burwell and Stuart.

Nebraska State FFA Officers Kooper Jelinek, Savannah Gerlach, Sam Wilkins, Faith Santana, Weston Svoboda, Megan Fehr and Luke Krabel and state staff conducted the workshops throughout the day. 

Seventh and eighth graders experienced the sessions Power to Change, finding their way to change the world by strengthening their decision making skills, by learning what it means to be impactful and a positive influence; Envisioning FFA, exploring the opportunities available in FFA; and Communication is Key, learning about communication, body language and the difference between hearing and listening.

Freshman and sophomores enjoyed sessions entitled “Oh, the places you'll go in FFA!,” learning about the many opportunities FFA has to offer; How to be a Leader 101, looking at how our leadership can change and increase with intentional effort; and Communication is Key. 

Juniors and seniors experienced sessions of Walk the Talk, learning what it means to be an agricultural advocate in the agricultural industry; Powering Positive Change, exploring the concept of thermostats and thermometers in leadership; and Communication is Key. 

Students from Stuart attending were: Levi Curtis, Trenadi Dodds, Sydney Estill, Anthony Heiser, Grant Kaup, Jeffrey Miksch, Whitlee Paxton, Kyle Steinhauser, Chiana Tubbs, Layne Wallinger, Sarah Wallinger, Simon Addison, Avree Blair, Jonathan Fessler, Cory Gubbels, James King, Savannah Kramer, Cody Krieger, Lacey Paxton, Will Paxton and Andrew Yemma.

“A special thanks is extended to the Stuart FFA Boosters for providing the noon meal to the participants of the conference. To Bob Kaup for preparing the pork loins; Dana Paxton, Darrin Paxton and Dana Steinhauser for slicing the meat; Becky Estill, Rose Ramm, Jennifer Hipke, Tammy Heiser, Amanda Paxton, Evelyn Paxton, Kat Alder and the Stuart FFA officers for serving the meal; our FFA families for providing the bars; Becky Lieswald for organizing; and Donna Malone for ordering items. Thank you also to Stuart Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their meeting room and to the Village of Stuart for allowing the auditorium to serve as the location of this year's conference,” said Stuart FFA Advisor Patty Hanzlik.

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