Local high school students recently showcased their leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills while competing in the District FFA Leadership Development Events (LDEs), held on January 14th at West Holt High School. Students represented their chapters alongside peers from across the district in a full day of competitive events designed to prepare members for success beyond the classroom.
Leadership Development Events are a core component of the National FFA Organization, focusing on developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success. Students competed in a variety of individual and team events that emphasized public speaking, parliamentary procedure, agricultural literacy, and problem-solving.
Here are the State Qualifiers in each event. For all of the results, click here.
Agricultural Literacy Speaking Results
The results of the Agricultural Literacy Speaking competition highlight the achievements of students across various chapters.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Nathan Brhel (Ne Ag Academy)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Olivia Mortensen (Neligh Oakdale)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Graham Mueller (Ne Ag Academy)
Discovery Speaking Competition Highlights
The Discovery Speaking competition showcased the talents of students from different chapters with notable performances.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Reagan Schaaf (Ne Ag Academy)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Garrett Bustead (Elgin)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Olive Flannery (West Holt)
Creed Speaking Achievements
The Creed Speaking event recognized students for their understanding and articulation of agricultural principles.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Adaya Miihlbach (Ne Ag Academy)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Olivia Werner (Elkhorn Valley)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Gentry Zwingman (Elgin)
Junior Public Speaking Results Overview
The Junior Public Speaking competition highlighted the skills of young speakers from various chapters.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Avery Heinrich (NE Ag Academy)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Noah Seberger (Rock County)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Maysa Jones (NE Ag Academy)
Senior Public Speaking Competition Results
The Senior Public Speaking event showcased the advanced speaking abilities of high school students.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Carter Buell (Rock County)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Suhani Chaudhari (O’Neill)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Rose Woeppel (Chambers)
Natural Resources Speaking Competition Summary
The Natural Resources Speaking competition recognized students for their knowledge of environmental issues.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Addie Wiiest (Rock County)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Taylor Walnofer (West Holt)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Justin Guggenmos (Wheeler Central)
Cooperative Speaking Event Highlights
The Cooperative Speaking event showcased teamwork and communication skills among students.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Kaitlyn Hinrichs (O’Neill)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Ava Hoffman (West Holt)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Kypton Hoffman (Ord)
Extemporaneous Speaking Competition Overview
The Extemporaneous Speaking competition tested students’ ability to think and speak on their feet.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Cale Desive (West Holt)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Tyler Furstenau (Neligh Oakdale)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Cain Martinsen (Neligh Oakdale)
Employment Skills Competition Summary
The Employment Skills competition evaluated students’ readiness for the workforce.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Monica Chavez (West Holt)
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Wade Krysl (O’Neill)
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Kaiden Bode (Elgin)
Ag Demonstration Competition Results
The Ag Demonstration competition featured students presenting agricultural concepts through demonstrations.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Kayde Ramm (Stuart) along with Morgan Menke, Owen Littau, Zane Doke, and Kole Estill.
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Ella Dailey (Ainsworth #1) along with Branden Fruedenberg.
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Paige Wolinski (Chambers #1) along with Sydney Barlow, Harlie Kloppenborg, and Ansley Waldo.
Conduct of Chapter Meetings Competition Summary
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings competition assessed students’ understanding of parliamentary procedure.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Landri Nemetz (West Holt #1) along with Eisley Mlady, Payton Skrdla, Reese Hoffman, Makenzie Ruda, Bergan Keogh, and Samantha Karo.
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Kemberlyn Kohle (Stuart #1) along with Ali Wondercheck, Mac Wallinger, Amry Paxton, Collin Heiser, Alex Paxton, and Jaxon Kohle.
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Olive Flannery (West Holt #2) along with Paislynn Myers, Ashton Flannery, Camry Deseive, Aliyah Jackson, Bree Slaymaker, and Ryan Havranek.
Parliamentary Procedure Competition Results
The Parliamentary Procedure competition evaluated students’ knowledge of parliamentary rules and procedures.
- State Qualifier 1st Purple: Madalyn Pistulk (West Holt #1) along with Ava Hoffman, Cale Deseive, Morgan Mitchell, Taylor Walnofer, and Pavan Larson.
- State Qualifier 2nd Purple: Kyra Tubbs (Stuart) along with Paityn Sheffield, Tommy Paxton, Max Alder, Brook Wallinger, and Annie Ludwig.
- State Qualifier 3rd Purple: Peyton Wickersham (Boyd County) along with Madilyn Nolan, Madelyn Brown, Kaylee Warnke, Bo Hipke, and Addie Janousek.
The 2026 Nebraska FFA State Convention is scheduled for March 25-27, 2026, in Lincoln, NE.
