FFA Members Had Kimball State Of Mind

The Kimball FFA Chapter left the State Convention and Contest in Lincoln with impressive wins for teams and individuals. The Food Science team composed of juniors Grace Anderson, Carlee Murdoch, Julia Winstrom and Hayden Sours placed second in the entire state.

Grace Anderson took individual honors with first place, while Carlee Murdoch and Julia Winstrom placed third and fourth, respectively. They were just 7 points from first place, which figures out to be only one or two questions difference. Although they did outstanding, the team members were somewhat disappointed because that is the same team placing that they had last year. Anderson said they were hoping to go to Nationals as a team.

Grace Anderson was also a member of the fourth place Welding team. Anderson earned fifth place as the Tig welder, and senior Justin Klosterman was the eighth place finisher in Mig welding. Aaron Gillming and Landon Norberg completed the four person Welding team.

Landon Norberg received 10th place in Ag Mechanics, while Mallory Hottell earned a State Silver for her Creed Speaking. Dakota Vrbas was fourth place in State Gold Sheep Production Proficiency.

Justin Klosterman was also awarded the Nebraska State Degree.

And finally, to top off the 2023 State FFA Convention, Sandy Lukassen of Kimball, a local FFA alumni and a lifetime member of the National FFA Alumni, was nominated and received the Honorary State FFA degree.

Lukassen said, "I stay active with these organizations as I believe they truly empower our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. We support the Agricultural Industry and need to tell the true story of American Agriculture.

"I'm very proud to have been a part of these FFA organizations through out my high school career and then as well as an Alumni member."