Hard work pays off

New state FFA president set her sights on top office and did the work to achieve her goals

Janelle Atyeo
Jun 14, 2024
Jun 14, 2024

1 of 2

South Dakota State FFA President Maya Howard looks over meats evaluation flashcards with her FFA advisor, Mark Ketelhut at the ag shop at Miller High School. Howard enjoyed competing in meats evaluation during high school. She’ll spend the next year sharing her passion for FFA with younger students across the state as part of the state officer team.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

State FFA President Maya Howard graduated from Miller High School this spring and will attend SDSU to study ag education this fall.

Submitted photo

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Janelle Atyeo

When Maya Howard started her FFA career as a freshman at Miler High School, she had big shoes to fill.

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FFA President Howard (47).JPG — Maya Howard followed in her dad's and sister's footsteps joining FFA, but she made the experience all her own by setting her goal on a state officer spot. She was chosen as South Dakota FFA State President at the convention this spring.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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FFA President Howard (20) - sheep.jpg — Babydoll sheep stand in a pen at the Howard farm near Miller, S.D., Raising sheep and cattle on her family farm was part of Maya Howard’s Supervised Agricultural Experience for FFA.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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2024-2025 Team.jpg — The 2024-2025 South Dakota FFA State Officer team is made of Sentinel Ben Storm of Sturgis, left, Reporter Hailey Kizer of Howard, Treasurer Bailey Weegar of Viborg-Hurley, Secretary Ethan Hendrix of Rapid City Stevens, Vice President Raul Berrones of Milbank, and President Maya Howard of Miller.
Submitted photo

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FFA President Howard (30) - cow-calf.jpg — A calf rests under its momma on the Howard farm near Miller, S.D.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo is a small town South Dakota girl enjoying her work as regional editor of the Midwest Messenger and Tri-State Neighbor while raising kids and no-till vegetables in central Sioux Falls. Reach her at janelle.atyeo@lee.net.