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Katie Karboske, center, with teacher Mark Willis, left, and paraprofessional Melissa Reister. Submitted photo
West Shore School News is a presentation of West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
Story by Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — West Shore FFA Chapter member Katie Karboske will represent her chapter at the FFA State Leadership Contests March 5 and 6 at Michigan State University.
Katie is an agricultural science student in the West Shore Educational Service District’s Career & Technical Education program and a senior at Ludington High School. She is the daughter of Jessica and Ray Karboske. Her instructor, Mark Willis, said Katie first participated in the district leadership competition held last month at Montague High School where she was named runner-up. Earlier this week, she was also runner-up at the region competition at Lowell High School.
Willis said the competition includes an interview, submission of a cover letter, resume and references, along with filling out a job application.
FFA was once known as Future Farmers of America. While it has expanded into being a youth leadership program it still has a large agricultural component.
Katie, whose grandfather was the late Roy Hackert, owner of Hackert Farms and Indian Summer Co-op, wants to pursue a career in agriculture, Willis said.
The state competitions will be held during the 2025 Michigan FFA Convention at MSU. Katie is among the top six students to participate.
The West Shore FFA Chapter includes high school students from Mason, Oceana, Lake, and Manistee counties. Those students are also CTE agriscience students. The CTE program is funded through a millage in Mason, Oceana, and Lake counties. Manistee County students attend on a tuition basis.
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