CHEYENNE — The Wyoming FFA State Officer Team, including a Powell High School grad, joined state legislators, government officials and industry representatives in Cheyenne on Feb. 10 to celebrate National and Wyoming Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. 

The officers participated in a legislative breakfast with FBLA, DECA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA representatives. 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 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.

Speakers included Gov. Mark Gordon, Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, University of Wyoming Dean of Education Dr. Jenna Shimm, and Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education President Heath Hornecker.

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.

“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.”

Following the breakfast, the state FFA officers were introduced in both chambers of the Wyoming Legislature, where they were recognized for their leadership and dedication to agricultural education and career readiness.

Hornecker, a former FFA member and agriculture education teacher, discussed how CTE classes grow the individual who in turn, goes on to lead local communities.

“CTE isn’t just teaching skills, it’s growing community members,” Hornecker said. “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 Association, part of the National FFA Organization, supports student success through agricultural education by developing leadership, personal growth and career skills. With chapters in more than 60 high schools across the state, FFA empowers students to be leaders in their communities and future professions.

For more information about Wyoming FFA visit wyomingffa.org or follow Wyoming FFA on social media.