What it Takes

Kansas FFA teams and individuals share how they took top honors in CDE and LDEs at nationals.

Earning national credentials takes full focus for showcasing skills.

“Representing Kansas was such a tremendous opportunity, and on the national level, it was a true honor to represent my state,” says Tucker Leck of Neodesha FFA.

After being named the Kansas Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) winner in 2022, Leck looked forward to the national contest this past fall.

“In all honesty, in the weeks leading up to traveling to Indianapolis, I became extremely nervous. I wanted to make the people of Kansas and the members of FFA proud,” says Leck. “I never imagined becoming a national finalist.”

Leck practiced with his mom, dad, and brother as well as teachers and his entire high school.

“Honestly, I’m sure that all of them knew the creed better than me by the time national convention rolled around, and it’s because they took hours to listen,” he says.

Neodesha FFA advisor Ms. Emma Lehmann and Ms. Botts, his journalism teacher, constantly

“I was able to learn about real-world agricultural concerns, and the importance of young people in demonstrating their own leadership and problemsolving abilities to solve them,”

- Tucker Leck

Story by Lucas Shivers

encouraged Leck to learn the value of the creed.

“My teachers understand the value and importance of every word, each sentence and the delivery,” says Leck.

Several others from Dr. Brown at KSU; Mr. Shoulders, Ms. Kane and Ms. Gaines with Kansas FFA; and Secretary Mike Beam with the Kansas Department of Agriculture allowed Leck to have meaningful conversations.

“I was able to learn about real-world agricultural concerns, and the importance of young people in demonstrating their own leadership and problemsolving abilities to solve them,” he says.

To Leck, the creed is something everyone can strive to understand and apply to everyday life.

“Through times of both positivity and struggle, the creed’s meaning is the same; our hard work and dedication, all of which should be displayed in our actions,” Leck says. “We can together build a sustainable future by working with each other.”

In another national area for Kansas, the Minneapolis FFA Meats Judging team took home several honors at nationals.

“It was a surreal, emotional experience because of all the work that went into it,” says team member August Hulse.

Ms. Christina Wallace, Minneapolis FFA Advisor, pulled in several local and state support systems to learn more.

“We had lots of help from our advisor to find a place to study and practice over the summer,” says August. “We had an incredible level of support.”

Banking ample time studying on their own and doing prior contests, the team diligently practiced two times a week over the summer to prepare.

“The most beneficial thing that we did was travel to in-person contests, there is no real substitute for seeing actual physical products of meat and being able to learn from that experience,” says August.

August’s sister, Lillian, enjoyed the time learning at the K-State and Garden City Community College Meat Labs.

“It was a remarkable honor to be recognized for the hours and hours of studying we put into this contest,” Lillian Hulse says. “The stage at the National Convention is like no other.”

After driving all over Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri to go to contests and late nights of solo studying, the team’s effort paid off with their victory at nationals.

“It really proved to me that hard work does pay off,” Lillian says. “When you spend that much time practicing and dedicating yourself to something, you are successful.”