Members of Osage City’s agriscience class get ready to load up for the East Central District Milk Quality Career Development Event, Jan. 21, front from left, Xada Spade, Michelle Kennedy, Madalynn Blakely, Emileigh Zweifel, back, Malachi Smith, Kaiden Bosse, Harlie Tenbrink, Daniel Shoemate, Max Stephen, Luke Garren, Wyatt Pope, Kimberly Knauber, Kevin Whitmer, and Hunter Senft. Osage City FFA photo.
By Osage City FFA Reporter Allison Sloop
The Osage City FFA Chapter hit the ground running in 2026. The chapter began after the Christmas holiday break Jan. 14, 2026, with a chapter movie night, offering a movie and food to the chapter members. The movie selected was “Radio,” an inspirational and heart moving movie. Fifteen members were in attendance to enjoy the evening.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Osage City FFA hosted a self defense class for the student and staff ladies of USD 420. Our trainers of the defense class was our own Dena Dougherty, USD 420 SRO, and her husband Layton Dougherty, of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office. There were 24 individuals registered for the class but only 12 that braved the cold Saturday morning. The class allowed for individuals to learn some defense tactics in the threat of an attack.
The following week, Jan. 21, members of the Osage City agriscience class competed in the East Central District Milk Quality Career Development Event, in Paola at the Miami County Fairgrounds. The students evaluated milk off-flavors affected by processing, milk fats, cheese identification, California Mastitis Test, and a milk quality exam. The two teams were successful receiving two plaques with a second place intermediate and fourth place senior division. Individual medals were also awarded with Hunter Senft, fifth place medal; Wyatt Pope, sixth place; Kaiden Bosse, 10th place; Kimberly Knauber, 13th place, all in the intermediate division. Others participating were Malachi Smith and Michelle Kennedy. In the senior division, Emileigh Zweifel won eighth place and a medal, and Zada Spade placing 14th, Harlie Tenbrink placing 16th; others competing were Kevin Whitmer, Madalynn Blakely, and Daniel Shoemate.
On Friday, Jan. 23, FFA officers Jaiton Bosse, Avery Thielen and Chyanne Wiley participated in a radio public service announcement for KVOE Radio, under the assistance of Hannah Hubert, preparing for the celebration of National FFA Week in February.
Wednesday, Jan. 28, Osage City FFA members competed in the East Central District Public Speaking Leadership Development Event, at Johnson County Community College. The speech team placed third overall and received a plaque. Individuals competing were Jaiton Bosse, receiving second place in the senior division and qualifying her in the State FFA Career Development Event; Laurel Lowery, claiming second and a medal in the junior division; Avery Thielen, winning the seventh place medal; Chyanne Wiley, sophomore division; and Kaiden Bosse placing fourth and a medal in the freshman division.
The Osage City FFA Chapter looks forward to more FFA activities as we move along the second semester including floriculture and meats cde, livestock judging, food science, nursery landscape, National FFA Week, Osage County Farm Bureau Ag Awareness Day, National Ag Appreciation Breakfast for area ag producers, and our first chapter banquet, which will be held in April.
