Officers of the Boise City FFA chapter participated in the 2008 Oklahoma FFA Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference September 25 at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center in Enid. The eight state FFA officers planned and conducted this year’s conference based on the theme Ignite the Flame – It Starts With You. The six elected officers from each of the 63 high school FFA chapters located in the northwest district attended leadership training designed to prepare them to lead their local FFA members, as well as provide positive direction for their chapters, schools and communities. Kelly Barnes, Edmond, Oklahoma, was the keynote speaker for the conference. Barnes once wore the traditional FFA blue and gold jacket and served as state FFA president in 2003-2004. He is now a full time speaker and personal leadership trainer. “The conference is designed to motivate and empower local chapter officers to be initiators and leaders,” said Chelsea Clifton, state FFA president. “We hope to inspire them to step up to the plate and make great things happen in their chapter this year.” Officers attending from the Boise City chapter included: Remington Axtell President, Lacey Wilson Vice-president, Zach Prather, Secretary, Brody Albus Treasurer, Dalton Hunt, Reporter, Tyson Kirkendall, Sentinel, Mr. Mayfield, Advisor. Two state FFA officers are included in the enclosed photo. Seated far left is Riley Pagett northwest district vice president. Seated far right is Carly Schnaithman, state FFA reporter. The FFA is an integral part of the Agricultural Education Division of the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech Education. There are 23,551 Oklahoma FFA members in 357 high schools statewide. Oklahoma ranks fourth nationally in membership.
