The Washington County FFA Chapter participated in the National FFA Convention last week in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Nursery/Landscape Team, consisting of graduates Jonathan Wright and Alyssa Jueneman, and seniors Dawson Strunk and Michael Peterson, finished as the 6th Place team in the Nation when results were announced. Individual highlights include Alyssa Jueneman, placing 72nd in the Silver Division, Michael Peterson finished 43rd in the Gold Division (Top 1/3), Dawson Strunk placing 27th in Gold Division, and Jonathan Wright finishing as the First Place Individual in the overall competition this year! Jonathan was announced during the preliminary awards as the 2nd Place individual in the Identification and Examination Section, and the 1st Place Individual in the Practicums and Skills section. Jonathan will receive a $1000 Cash Award from the National FFA for his accomplishments this year in Nursery/Landscape.
The Nursery/Landscape team put in several hours this past year practicing, visiting landscaping businesses, and learning about hands on installation procedures that they would be tested on throughout the event. Competitors installed irrigation systems using pop up head sprinkler systems, cutting and gluing PVC pipe, and calibrated timers and installed solenoid valves to control the watering. Additionally, we learned to properly plant and install shrubs into a landscape area, interpreting designs and calculating mulch, spacing and total cost of the project. Students learned to install brick pavers to create sidewalks, patios, and build retaining walls. Additionally, and entire section was devoted to equipment operation and maintenance for a variety of mowers, chain saws, and power equipment used in the landscape industry.
We received a great deal of help from several businesses and individuals to get us to this point. Mr. Joseph Rundle, of Blueville Nursery in Manhattan, Kansas, spend a great deal of time working with these students to teach them about the "Green Industry" and helped up to locate materials to use to practice for this event and showed us tips and tricks used in the business to help develop our skills. Mr. Nathan Welch of the Washington County Farm Bureau helped the students prepare for the customer sales and assistance portions of the event.
This team received business sponsorship this year from The Washington County Farm Bureau Insurance - Mr. Nathan Welch, as well as from Mr. Keith Westervelt and the Blueville Nursery of Manhattan.
Additionally, the Washington County FFA Chapter had two students earn their American FFA Degree at this year's convention: McKenzie Baker and Joseph Kern. The American Degree is the High Degree and FFA Member can earn in the organization. McKenzie has been actively involved in the FFA for the past 6 years and highlights of her experiences include being named as the 2025 District Star in Agribusiness, Winning the 2026 State FFA Proficiency Award in Forest Products and Management, leading the 2025 Veterinary Science Team to a 2nd Place finish in State in 2025, and serving as the President of the Washington County FFA her senior year. Joseph Kern was also a past President of the chapter, and became a National Finalist (Final 4 in the nation) for the Agricultural Mechanics - Repair and Maintenance Proficiency Award in 2025.
Additional Delegates attending this year from the Washington County FFA this year included Witt Keesecker, Rowley Keesecker and Emma O'Rourke. Congratulations to all of the members of the Washington County FFA who represented us all so well this year at the National FFA Convention!
JH Basketball apparel order forms are now ready! Order forms are being given to the coaches today. Ask your athlete for the form or download from this post.
To have your items by the first game, the order deadline is Wednesday, Nov 4 at 8am to Mrs. Michelle Bruna, encourage your child not to forget.
Orders received after this deadline will be completed within 7 school days. Orders will be taken until Dec. 1.
Girls have a long sleeve warm up with the orange basketball and boys are a short sleeve warm up with the red basketball. Name is $2 extra and player # is an additional $2.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Bruna at mbruna@usd108.org
Thank you for your support!
JH Girls form https://aptg.co/VfmdPr
JH Boys form https://aptg/G-L3nm
In an attempt to increase our Site Council participation we are trying something new. We are going to host an informational lunch & meeting. If you are interested in learning about what we are doing at USD 108 or would like the opportunity to provide feedback, please fill out the registration form in the link provided below. If you plan to enjoy our school lunch that day (it's Mrs. Carlson's personal favorite), please have the form completed by Sunday, November 8th. Registration for the meeting will not close until Tuesday, November 17th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcuOEuK2ezQp0WqC7pRAm1KVOX7HZyEqlgft0E_JUuBW_ncg/viewform?usp=dialog
We look forward to having you in our building!
USD 108 Administration
Kelly Annunziato, KS FBLA District IV Vice President, hosted the first FBLA District IV Rally on Tuesday at the FNB bank basement. The 106 students from Republic County, Marysville, Hanover, and Washington County listened to speakers about different careers in banking and entrepreneurship while also learning about the loan process, graphic design and trial process of running a toy store. Networking mini sessions were held between speakers to get the kids up and moving. Students also experienced breakout sessions on different office positions and why community service is vital to our small communities.
Thank you to the following speakers for their time and knowledge:
Lindsey Hatesohl, Amanda Colgrove, Yesica Swenson, Tim Matlack, Jesse Jackson, Virginia Linck, Eli Sweaney, and Erin Toole.
Thank you to Andrea Anderson for helping Kelly organize this event.
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