NCTA student leaders, Discovery Day

Phi Theta Kappa students Brianna Young and Katie Wilson met PTK's International Vice President Sydney Pemberton at a recent conference in Kansas. (Courtesy photo)
Phi Theta Kappa students Brianna Young and Katie Wilson met PTK's International Vice President Sydney Pemberton at a recent conference in Kansas. (Courtesy photo)

Sept. 29, 2016

By NCTA Dean Ron Rosati, PhD

Student engagement through academics and leadership programs is thriving at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and beyond.

Two groups of students traveled to Kansas last weekend, and we also had students in Lincoln and Omaha.  All were taking part in learning opportunities in support of their NCTA studies or student organizations focused on leadership.

Phi Theta Kappa - Two Aggie students traveled to Hays, Kansas for a regional conference of collegiate students in Phi Theta Kappa, which is an academic honorary for students in two-year colleges. Brianna Young of Gordon and Katie Wilson of Yutan are both second year students in Veterinary Technology Systems and serve as resident assistants for NCTA.

Brianna, who is vice president of PTK, said the conference energized the young leaders in Nebraska and Kansas for more community service as well as student leadership and honors efforts on campus. While there, they met leaders from other colleges as well as officers of regional and state organizations.  They also had the opportunity to visit with Sydney Pemberton, the PTK international vice president.

NAYI-Omaha - Shane Hoer of Blair served on a panel at the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) – Omaha where he described how a student without extensive rural experience is meeting educational goals at NCTA in the area of agricultural education.

Hoer is active in his third year on campus serving as a resident assistant, helping the ranch horse team in marketing and contest support, and learning the ropes in an agricultural business with a fall internship experience at a local bank.

Livestock Judging - The team competed among about 600 contestants in the Flint Hills Classic at El Dorado, Kansas, last Friday and then again at Ak-Sar-Ben in Omaha on Sunday.  Coach Doug Smith reports they practiced at a collegiate work-out in Lincoln on Saturday between competitions.

Aggie freshmen were 17th in sheep and goats, 22nd in cattle, 22nd in swine, and 24th in reasons, and 22nd overall.  Sophomores performed well as they got back into the swing of contests at both events. Freshmen improved in their second contest by Sunday and ranked 15th in beef, 15th in sheep and goats, 18th in swine, 16th in reasons, and 16th overall. A great start to their season!

This weekend the livestock judging teams head to the Mid-America contest at Hutchinson, Kansas. The Aggie Rodeo team travels to a double header starting Thursday and Friday at Fort Dodge, Iowa, then on to Ames for Saturday and Sunday.  Safe travels, Aggies, and good luck in your contests!

Discovery Day I invite prospective students, their families and guidance counselors to come for a campus visit on Monday, Oct. 10 as we host our first “Discovery Day” events. Register online for a meal and tours, and chance to win prizes for attendees at http://ncta.unl.edu/campus-culture            . See you then.

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 28 – FFA Edge Conference, NCTA campus

Sept. 29-Oct. 2 – Aggie Rodeo to Fort Dodge and Ames, Iowa

Sept. 29 –Oct. 1. – Aggie Livestock Judging, Hutchinson, Kan.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2 – Aggie Shooting Team, Prairie Circuit Classic, North Platte

Oct. 2 – Stock Dog Club practice, LTC Arena

Oct. 2 – Nebraska LEAD tour, NCTA campus

Oct. 4 – E.N. Thompson Public Forum, David Brooks, Ed Center

 NCTA Mission:  The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.

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