Kelly Sipes of Stanton County High School Named Southwest District Finalist for the Kansas Golden Owl Award®
JOHNSON CITY, Kan. – The Kansas FFA, in partnership with Nationwide, proudly recognizes Kelly Sipes, an agricultural educator at Stanton County High School, as the Southwest District finalist for the 2025 Golden Owl Award.
Sipes was selected through nominations submitted from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, recognizing her outstanding contributions to agricultural education and student development.
Sipes received an individualized plaque and a $500 check as a district finalist. She now advances to the final selection stage, where one educator will be named Kansas Ag Educator of the Year, receiving an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check and the prestigious Golden Owl Award trophy.
“Kelly Sipes has a deep commitment to student growth and success,” said Beth Gaines, Executive Director of the Kansas FFA Foundation. “Her ability to instill a love for agriculture in her students ensures that they leave the program with confidence and direction in their future careers.”
Established by Nationwide, the Golden Owl Award honors the hard work of agricultural educators and provides additional resources to enhance their programs. This year, the award program recognizes exceptional ag educators in 13 states, including Kansas.
“As the demand for agricultural education grows, we are proud to recognize and support these incredible teachers,” said Brad Liggett, President of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Their unwavering commitment to students and agriculture is inspiring, and we are grateful for their contributions to the industry.”
In addition to recognizing finalists, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to Kansas FFA to further support the professional and personal development of students, educators, and advisors.
The Kansas Ag Educator of the Year will be announced at the 97th Kansas FFA Convention at Kansas State University from May 27-30, 2025.
For more information about the Kansas FFA, visit www.ksffa.org or contact Beth Gaines at [email protected].
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