OSU students honored by National FFA

Friday, November 5, 2010

Fourteen Oklahoma State University students were honored as America’s best at the recent 83rd Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

“National FFA Convention is a great place to see outstanding students recognized for their hard work and leadership, and this year many of those students are from OSU,” said Cheryl DeVuyst, assistant dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the home college of 12 of the OSU students honored.

National FFA is an American career and technical student organization founded in 1928, encompassing diverse interests in agriculture, business, science and technology. It is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with more than 7,400 chapters throughout all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Riley Pagett, an agricultural communications junior from Woodward, captured the most prestigious honor, being elected National FFA president for the coming year. Fulfilling his position will require traveling more than 100,000 miles; meeting top leaders in business, government and education; visiting approximately 40 states; and participating in an international experience tour to Japan.

Other CASNR students honored include:

● Tara Newton, an agricultural economics freshman who finished first in the National Prepared Public Speaking competition; ● Ashton Mese, an agricultural communications freshman who earned top honors in the National Extemporaneous Speaking competition; ● Emily McCullough, an animal science sophomore who finished first in the National Veterinary Medicine Proficiency competition; and ● Emily Handke, an animal science freshman who earned second-high-individual honors in the National Horse Evaluation Event.

First-place honors also were earned by the National Livestock Evaluation Team from Kingfisher, made up of CASNR students Kyle Mueggenborg, a biosystems and agricultural engineering freshman; McKenzie Walta, an animal science freshman; Josh Lippoldt, an agricultural economics freshman; and Audrey Gruntmeir, a biochemistry and molecular biology freshman.

Also taking top honors for their National Committee Work were CASNR students Emily Beanland, an agricultural communications sophomore; Marty Jones, an agricultural education freshman; and Josh Goff, an animal science sophomore.

Brandon Folder, an undeclared freshman in the OSU College of Arts and Sciences, earned first-place honors in the National Forage Production Proficiency competition.

Madison McGolden, a freshman in the OSU College of Education, took top honors in the National Sheep Production Proficiency competition.

CASNR is part of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, which is made up of the college and two state agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, both of which are headquartered on the university’s Stillwater campus.