FFA Student Leaders

Two Wa-Hi students selected to attend National FFA Next Gen Conference

Congratulations to Walla Walla High School students Kenny Gabel and Rem McBride for being selected to attend the National Future Farmers of America Next Gen Conference: Power, Structural and Technical Pathway. Participants will experience new and emerging ideas, trends, and products; cutting-edge technology; sustainability and more. In addition, they will delve into literacy and advocacy as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, all while exploring various careers in the pathway. This conference is open to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The students were selected to attend this prestigious conference through a competitive application process. Students were selected based on several aspects: Supervised Agriculture Experience project, personal interests, career goals and recommendations by their FFA advisors and industry professionals.

Kenny and Rem are not just active FFA members, but exhibit the characteristics of what every FFA member should have. Both are honest, teachable and have an outstanding work ethic, according to Advisor Jessica Johnson.

As a freshman, Kenny competed in the FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event. He has raised two market goats for the county fair and last year he served as the Chapter Parliamentarian. At the 2022 Washington FFA Convention and Expo, Kenny served as the Chapter Delegate. Kenny is restoring a 1964 Chevrolet C10 and plans to pursue a career in automotive repair. Rem has raised two market hogs and last year he served as the Chapter Sentinel. Rem is employed at Cochran Farms and is an active youth member of the Walla Walla Valley Cowboy Church. Rem plans to attend WyoTech and hopes to own his own automotive repair business. Kenny and Rem have been working together to build a demolition derby car and both are currently on the competitive FFA Agriculture Mechanics team.

“It is a great opportunity for them,” said Johnson. “Kenny’s mom Kelly works at the district’s print shop and Rem’s mom, Pamela, is a retired Wa-Hi science teacher.”