CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Wyoming FFA State Officer Team recently joined Wyoming legislators, government officials and industry representatives in Cheyenne to celebrate National and Wyoming Career and Technical Education, or CTE, Month.
That’s according to a release from the FFA, which states that its officers had a legislative breakfast with representatives from the FBLA, DECA, FCCLA and SkillsUSA.
“Students discussed the importance of CTE programs, shared their personal experiences with CTE and engaged in conversations about education initiatives vital to Wyoming’s future workforce,” the release states. “Each speaker emphasized the role of CTE in keeping students engaged in high school, developing skills for future careers and advancing Wyoming and our nation.”
At the event, speakers included Gov. Mark Gordon, Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, University of Wyoming Dean of Education Dr. Jenna Shimm and Technical Education President Heath Hornecker.
“Public education was created not just to benefit the individual but our communities and our country,” Degenfelder said. “When we have a strong education system, we have a strong Wyoming.”
After the breakfast, state FFA officers were introduced in both chambers of the Wyoming Legislature and were recognized for “their leadership and dedication to agricultural education and career readiness.”
Hornecker is a former FFA member, as well as an agriculture education teacher, and he spoke about how CTE classes help grow and shape individuals, who are then able to go off and shape their own local communities.
“CTE isn’t just teaching skills, it’s growing community members,” said Hornecker. “We provide our students a means to stay in Wyoming and live a successful life. These CTE students are not just building the infrastructure, software, businesses and ranches in the future; they are creating families who will benefit our entire state.”
The Wyoming FFA Organization, part of the national organization, supports the success of students through agricultural education by developing leadership, personal growth and career skills. The FFA has chapters in more than 60 high schools across Wyoming and its goal is to empower students to be leaders in their communities and in their future professions.
The state FFA officers are Ahnya Ivie-Moody, President, Devils Tower FFA; Shawn Basart, Vice President, Cheyenne High Plains FFA; Wyatt Blackmore, Second Vice President, Powell-Shoshone FFA; Shelby Clark, Third Vice President, Burns FFA; Emma Pehringer, Secretary, Buffalo FFA; Sage Wells, Treasurer, Cheyenne High Plains FFA; Anthony Quick, Reporter, Cheyenne Frontier FFA; Spencer Rabou, Sentinel, Pine Bluffs FFA; and Riley Banker, Parliamentarian, Bearlodge Sundance FFA.
