MANHATTAN – A member of the Hays FFA Chapter is among the 14 candidates running for a state officer position to represent more than 9,000 Kansas FFA members for the 2017-2018 term. Marie Reveles will complete an intense process of interviews, tests and public speaking demonstrations this week as part of the 89th Kansas FFA State Convention on the Kansas State University campus.

An appointed nominating committee of former state officers and agricultural education instructors interviews the candidates. On Friday, June 2, the committee will submit its nomination of 10 candidates to the state convention delegates, which consists of two members from each of the 186 chapters in the state. After hearing the candidates present a final prepared speech, the delegates will elect the six members who will serve as the 2017-2018 state officer team. The new team will be announced and installed at the final session of the convention Friday afternoon.

The committee evaluates the candidates on their applications, a written test, writing exercises, and five rounds of interviews. These include one-on-one interviews, delivering a speech, facilitating a workshop, round-robin interviews and a personal interview round.

Once elected, the officers will travel across the state promoting agricultural science education and FFA.

A four-year FFA member, Reveles has served as president for both her chapter and Northwest District. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) involves working at the Smokey Hill Country Club. She plans to attend Kansas State University and become a high school agricultural education instructor.

Marie is the daughter of Javier and LaVerna Reveles. Her advisor is Curt Vajnar.

Visit kansasffaconvention.wordpress.com for the full convention schedule, award winners and live video stream of sessions will begin Wednesday, May 31. Follow convention updates on Facebook at facebook.com/ksffa, on Instagram at @ksffa and on Twitter at @KansasFFA and hashtag #ksffa.