A member of the Ellis FFA Chapter is among the 15 candidates running for a state officer position to represent more than 8,000 Kansas FFA members for the 2013-2014 term. Beth Augustine will complete an intense process of interviews, tests and public speaking demonstrations throughout the week as part of the 85th 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. The committee will submit its nomination of 10 candidates to the state convention delegates, two members from each of the 162 chapters in the state, on Friday morning. After hearing the candidates present a final prepared speech, the delegates will elect the six members who will serve as the 2013-2014 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. The interview rounds 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 informing people about agricultural science education and FFA.

A four-year FFA member, Augustine has served as Northwest District President and Chapter President and Sentinel. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) involves working with Sport Haven and L&T Farms. She plans to obtain a career as a high school agricultural education instructor. Augustine will attend Kansas State University in the fall.

Augustine is the daughter of Tim and Lori Augustine. Her advisor is Bob Kohman.