After years of working toward their state degrees, five Wauneta-Palisade seniors will receive that honor at the State FFA Convention in Lincoln this week. Earning their state degrees are, from left, Sheridan Wright, Josh Skelton, Cody Egle, Jake Rundback and Hondo Fanning.

    By Tina Kitt
    The Wauneta Breeze
    
     The stage is set for a number of Wauneta-Palisade students to receive statewide recognition this week at the State FFA Convention in Lincoln with five senior boys leading the way.
     Sheridan Wright, Josh Skelton, Cody Egle, Jake Rundback and Hondo Fanning will see years of work come to fruition Friday as they are awarded their state FFA degrees, the highest honor awarded at the state level in FFA.
     Students have to work hard to obtain a state degree, according to WP Chapter Adviser Dan Andrews.
     "It certainly isn't an easy process to accumulate over the time they are in high school," said Andrews.
     To obtain state degrees FFA members must earn or invest at least $3,000 in an ag-related job, must be a member of their local FFA chapter for at least two years as well as taking part in FFA activities at the chapter, district, state and national levels, and participate in at least 10 school or community activities. In the process, members must acquire 500 leadership points.
     Students are also required to present a speech or lead a discussion, pass a test gauging their knowledge, serve as a chapter officer or chair a chapter program or activity. Degree earners must also maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
     All five of this year's recipients earned degrees in job placement or livestock production.
     Fanning, son of Kelly and Myra Fanning of Wauneta, earned his degree in both placement, with hours spent helping his dad on the farm and in the shop, as well as in livestock production through his work with cattle.
     Rundback, son of Guy and Marj Rundback of Palisade, earned his degree in job placement, helping on the family farm.
     Egle, son of Kelly and Lisa Egle of Hamlet, earned his degree in job placement, working for his dad and for Loran Wach.
     Skelton, son of James and Lana Skelton of Wauneta, earned his degree in job placement, working on the family farm as well.
     Wright, son of Brian and Heidi Wright of Hamlet, earned his degree in job placement for work he has done for Champa Group and Southwest Public Power District as well as on the family farm.
     Wright will also have the distinction of being among the few FFA degree winners from across the state chosen to interview as a proficiency finalist.
     Wright placed among the top three finalists in two areas, noted Andrews. He is a finalist in Ag Mechanics Energy Systems for work he has done with SWPPD, and as a finalist in Emerging Ag Technology for work he has done with SWPPD and Champa Group.
    
    Banner contest
    year for WP FFA
     This year Wauneta-Palisade will send one of its largest contingent of contest entrants ever to compete in Lincoln after a banner showing at districts.
     WP will have 26 high school FFA members and four junior high students participating in the state FFA convention.
     "I can't say for sure if it's the largest because I haven't really kept track," said Andrews. "But it certainly is one of the largest groups we've ever had going."
     Wright, Egle and Andrew Ward will represent the local chapter in the State FFA Honor Choir. Peter Barger and Joe Bartels will attend the legislative breakfast with the state senators and governor.
     Fanning and Dirk Vapenik will serve as voting delegates, representing WP during the business sessions.
     WP students competing at state FFA and contests they are entered in are as follows:
    
    Farm Management team: Luke Wright, Brennan Keiser, James Strand, and Jesse Skelton.
    Junior Livestock Selection team: Allison Ellicott, Cody Nichols, Luke Wright, and Laura Barger.
    Senior Livestock Selection team: Jacob Rundback, Jennifer Lytle, Josh Skelton, and Kayla Wolcott.
    Nursery and Landscape team: Vicki Linn, Jessica Maddux, Bryn Vapenik, and Kaleia Alberts.
    Ag Mechanics team: Hondo Fanning, Cody Egle, Dirk Vapenik, and Cody Nichols.
    Agri-science team: Jessica Maddux, Laura Barger, Jesse Skelton, and James Strand.
    Natural Resource team: James Strand, Luke Wright, Brennan Keiser, and Jesse Skelton.
    Food Science team: Peter Barger, Joe Bartels, Betsy Anderjaska, and Marc Klima.
    Welding team: Hondo Fanning, Tyler Kerchal, and Dirk Vapenik.
    Livestock Management team: Jennifer Lytle, Jacob Rundback, Kayla Wolcott, Cody Nichols, Allison Ellicott, and Jessica Maddux.
    Natural Resources Speaking: Brennan Keiser.
    Jr. Public Speaking: Stacee Wright.
    Jr. Hi Quiz Bowl team: Tanner Kerchal, Trevor Mad-dux, TJ Ellicott, Brandi Fanning and Sheila Riener. Team sponsors are parents Barb Maddux and Myra Fanning.
    
    Cornerstone Award to Isom
     This year a special award will be presented to WP Superintendent Charles Isom. At Pershing Auditorium on Friday, Isom will be one of five school administrators from across the state to be honored with the Cornerstone Award.
     "This award is given to administrators that are supporters of ag-ed and FFA," explained Andrews, who nominated Isom for the award.