Whitley County’s Leslie Monhollen obtains state-level FFA appointment

Whitley County High School graduate Leslie Monhollen recently became only the fourth Colonel in history to be chosen for a state-level appointment within the Kentucky FFA (Future Farmers of America) organization.

Monhollen, who is also the first female from this area to ever hold such a position, was selected to serve as sentinel. The appointment happened at the state FFA convention, held inside the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.

“When you put a kid from Whitley County in that position, it really motivates the other students,” said Brian Prewitt, ag teach and WCHS FFA Advisor. “When they see the kinds of things that can be accomplished within FFA, it just helps us to grow as a club.”

So, what does a an FFA sentinel do?

According to Prewitt, over the course of the next year Monhollen will have the opportunity to contribute in many important ways, including helping to set up FFA events all over the state.

She will get to take part in speaking engagements, leadership workshops, and will be attending different conventions. She will also be able to correspond and communicate directly with thousands of fellow FFA members across Kentucky.

Although this is the highest honor that Monhollen has achieved to date in the FFA, she is no stranger to being in a leadership position. Prior to this appointment she has served as a chapter president and a regional president.

When asked what this opportunity means to her, Monhollen said, “It is kind of shock to get to be on this stage, at this level. I am just very grateful and appreciative of the opportunity. It is a huge honor, and hopefully I can have a positive impact.”

Monhollen, who is preparing to enter her first year as an ag student at the University of Kentucky in the fall, has been active in FFA since her freshman year at Whitley County. When asked about her experiences, she said, “I am so glad that I joined. FFA provides students with a lot of opportunities that people don’t realize. It has taught me the value of hard work and healthy conversation. I really love how FFA invests in its members.”

Monhollen has already started training for her new role as state sentinel. Later this summer she will meet with other state officers from all over the country at a summit in Washington DC, and this fall she will attend the national FFA convention in Indianapolis.

“I am just hopeful, and excited for the year,” Monhollen said. “I have the opportunity to serve others, and I plan on giving a lot of myself in order to accomplish that. I hope that younger students and people throughout our community will see that dreams are attainable, and that hard work does pay off.”

“I am excited to see what happens. I am going to do my best.”