Mann elected new state FFA president, South Putnam's Spencer secretary

Thursday, June 28, 2012
With new Indiana State FFA President Cameron Mann (right) leading the way, the 2012-13 state officer team poses for a photo with the FFA's giant ceremonial gavel.

WEST LAFAYETTE -- Putnam County boasts two of the seven new Indiana FFA officers introduced at the conclusion of the recent 83rd state convention at Purdue University, including new state president Cameron Mann of Cloverdale.

Life on the farm is something common to each member of the new state officer team, including new state FFA secretary Katherine Spencer of South Putnam.

For Mann, the state president's office is something she's admittedly had her eye since her freshman year in the Cloverdale High School FFA chapter.

"It's always been something I thought would be such a unique opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime experience and great chance to give back to this organization," she said.

"More specifically this year I really thought about it and decided that this is definitely what I wanted to go for, and I'm just so blessed to have this opportunity and to be here today."

Mann lives on the farm where her family has longtime involvement in hog and grain production.

Meanwhile, Mann's Cloverdale High School days were certainly busy.

"In high school I was very active in all the school clubs," she said. "I was in student council and I was the class president, and I was also involved at the county level with the 4-H program.

New Indiana State FFA President Cameron Mann (left) of Cloverdale shares a moment with State Secretary Katherine Spencer of South Putnam at the 83rd state convention of the Indiana FFA at Purdue University.

"And we have a Putnam County Youth Philanthropy Committee, which does some charity work and gives out grants for community service. Those are some of my favorite activities."

South Putnam's Spencer is happy to be serving alongside Mann as Indiana's state FFA secretary.

"Cameron and I are from the same county and same district," she said. "We're good friends, and we're both excited to be serving together and representing our county.

"I grew up on my family farm," Spencer added. "We're a grain production farm on both sides of my family, and that's my farm experience. And I garden which is one of my passions."

After serving as FFA president for the next year, Mann plans to attend Purdue University to major in agricultural communication.

Spencer, meanwhile, plans to study nursing at the University of Indianapolis. She wants to work in a hospital emergency room initially and then go back to school to do medical research.

Rounding out the Indiana FFA officer team for 2012-13 are sentinel: Brandon Bergdall from Bellmont FFA; reporter: Shelby Riley of Hamilton County; treasurer: Mallarie Stookie, Warsaw FFA; South Region vice president: Briley Fichter of Castle FFA (Warrick County); and North Region vice president: Marshall Perkins from Prairie Heights FFA.

Also the FFA State Stars were honored during the convention. Winners were Star Farmer, Mallarie Stookey; Agricultural Placement, Katelin Schomber; and Agribusiness, Chad Jones.

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