South Dakota FFA State Officers & Ambassadors
To request the presence of the state officers at an event, please contact Caroline Hansen, SD FFA Leadership & Program Manager, at caroline.hansen@sdaged.org
2024-2025 South Dakota FFA
State Ambassadors
Jordan Van De Stroet & Terry Hammel
Maya Howard
2024-2025 State President
Maya Howard is the daughter of Chris and Amy Howard and the sister of Alana Howard. Maya grew up outside of Miller, SD, where she discovered her passion and love for the agriculture industry. Maya grew up raising a wide variety of livestock, but her favorite was her registered babydoll southdown sheep. She enjoyed showing her livestock in 4-H and FFA shows. Throughout high school, Maya was involved in football and basketball sideline cheerleading, National Honor Society, band, jazz band, FFA, 4-H, and track. Outside of school, Maya served as a state 4-H ambassador and the 2024 Miller Senior Snow Queen. Maya was an active member of the Miller FFA Chapter and competed in various CDE’s and LDE’s including meats evaluation, agronomy, employment skills, ag communications, parliamentary procedure, ag sales, and creed speaking. She also served as a district officer and kept up with multiple Supervised Agriculture Experiences. Maya’s favorite FFA memory was having the opportunity to attend the National FFA Convention her junior year alongside members of both her chapter and other chapters. Maya is excited to grow and develop her knowledge of the agriculture industry, as well as having the opportunity to make connections with members from throughout the state. She will be furthering her education at South Dakota State University majoring in agriculture education. Maya proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA President.
Raul Berrones Pedraza
2024-2025 State Vice President
Raul Berrones Pedraza is the son of Luis Berrones Cantu and Lorena Pedraza Lozano and the brother of Luis Berrones Pedraza. Raul graduated High School from Milbank, SD where he was involved with FFA, Football, Track, Chorus, National Honor Society, Boys State, and he was nominated as homecoming king. Raul also served as the District One Treasurer (2021-2022) and the District One President (2022-2023). During his time in FFA, he competed in Chapter Conduct of Meetings, and the Parliamentary Procedure LDEs. During CDE, he participated in the Food Science and Technology CDE. One of Raul’s favorite memories is when he won the Food Science and Technology CDE at the state contest both individually and as a team in 2024. During his year of service, he is excited to broaden his knowledge in all areas of agriculture and to be able to connect with different members from across the state of South Dakota. In the fall, Raul will be attending SDSU where he will be pursuing a bachelor's in Dairy Manufacturing with an Agricultural Education double major. Raul proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA Vice President.
Get to Know the State Officers & Ambassadors
Bailey Weegar
2024-2025 State Treasurer
Ethan Hendrix
2024-2025 State Secretary
Ethan Hendrix is the son of Ty and Genetie Hendrix and the brother of Elliot Hendrix. Ethan grew up outside of Piedmont, SD on a horse farm and a cattle ranch where he developed a love for agriculture, ranching, and horsemanship. Ethan attended school in Meade County, SD, before attending Stevens High School where he graduated in May 2024. Throughout high school, Ethan was involved in FFA, the National Honor Society, and 4 H. In FFA, Ethan competed in Creed Speaking, Ag Sales, Ag Issues, and Horse Evaluation and Selection. One of Ethan’s favorite FFA memories was when he competed in the National Ag Issues Forum at the 2023 National FFA Convention. Throughout the coming year, Ethan is excited to learn more about the agricultural industry and to grow meaningful relationships within it—with members, sponsors, and those who play an intricate role in South Dakota agriculture. In the fall, Ethan will be attending South Dakota State University to further his agricultural education by majoring in Animal science with a minor in Equine science. Ethan proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA Secretary.
Bailey Weegar is the daughter of Billy and Rebecca Weegar and the oldest of sisters Brittany and Bethany. She grew up and currently lives in Viborg, South Dakota, and works on her family farm outside of Hurley where she raises cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Bailey graduated from Viborg-Hurley High School in May of 2024, where she was involved in FFA, Football and Basketball Cheer, Choir, All State Chorus, Band, Student Council, All School Play, Educators Rising, and National Honor Society. Outside of school she was involved in 4-H where she served as the 2023-2024 Turner County Ambassador and showed Corriedale sheep at her county fair as well as the FFA and 4-H shows at the South Dakota State Fair. She also shows sheep in open class shows and Summer Spotlight. Bailey also served as a District 3 FFA Officer for two years and conducted multiple Supervised Agricultural Experiences. She competed in many LDE’s and CDE’s including: creed speaking, employment skills, ag sales, horse evaluation, and livestock evaluation. Bailey’s favorite FFA memory was attending the 2023 National FFA Convention for the first time. She got the opportunity to meet many FFA members all over the country and converse about their FFA experience. She will be attending South Dakota State University to further her education with a major in Agricultural Education. Bailey is excited to connect with many different FFA members, advisors, and sponsors throughout her year as she proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA Treasurer.
Hailey Kizer
2024-2025 State Reporter
Hailey Kizer is the daughter of Brian and Heather Kizer and the sister of Kenya, Hoyt, Westyn, and Ryland Kizer. Hailey grew up outside of Howard, South Dakota on her family’s farm. Her passion for agriculture started at a young age from growing up on her family’s farm and this passion of hers has only flourished since then. Hailey attended high school in Howard where she graduated in May of 2024. While at Howard High School, she was very involved in FFA, student council, National Honor Society, yearbook, cross country, and track. In FFA, Hailey competed in prepared public speaking, employment skills, marketing plan, land judging, and veterinary science. She also served as a chapter officer for two years as well as the District II Vice President from 2022-2023. One of Hailey’s favorite FFA memories was working in the Ag Adventure Center at the South Dakota State Fair. She also enjoys serving communities through volunteering and service projects. Hailey is passionate about advocating and representing the FFA Organization and is looking forward to meeting and developing meaningful connections with its members. She is excited to share her love for the agriculture industry and FFA during her year of service. In the fall, Hailey will be attending South Dakota State University to further her education majoring in animal science. Hailey proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA Reporter.
Jordan Van De Stroet
2024-2025 State Ambassador
Jordan Van De Stroet is the daughter of John and Melanie Van De Stroet. She has three siblings: Brian, Bruce, and Janet (Jess Wiebe). Jordan was raised and currently lives on a farm outside Fairview, South Dakota, where her family raises cattle. Her passion for agriculture was cultivated during her upbringing on the farm. Jordan graduated from Canton High School in May 2024. During her time in high school, she was involved in various activities such as FFA, student council, band, EdRising, volleyball, food club, and NHS. She also served as the school mascot. Outside of school, she actively participated in Teens Encounter Christ. In her role with the Canton FFA chapter, she competed in competitions such as Ag Broadcasting, Employment Skills
LDEs, and the Farm Business Management CDE. She was also involved in the Agriscience Fair. Jordan served as a chapter officer for four years and as the District Three Student Advisor from 2023 to 2024. One of her fondest FFA memories was attending the 2023 National FFA convention, where she cherished the opportunity to build strong connections with her chapter peers and meet new people from all over the country. This fall, Jordan will be attending South
Dakota State University and majoring in Agricultural Education. Jordan is looking forward to making meaningful connections with FFA members, advisors, and sponsors as she proudly serves as a 2024-2025 State FFA Ambassador.
Benjamin Storm
2024-2025 State Sentinel
Benjamin Storm is the son of Patrick and Kendra Storm and the brother of Ellie and Johannah Storm. Ben grew up in Piedmont, SD. His grandparents lived five minutes away from his house, where Ben started to raise a flock of chickens and two horses. Ben attended high school in Sturgis, SD where he graduated in May 2024. Throughout high school Ben was involved in FFA, FCCLA, Football, Track, and Trap. In FFA, Ben competed in creed speaking, agricultural issues, agriculture mechanics, range plant identification, and meat evaluation. One of Ben’s favorite FFA memories is when he went to the 2021 National FFA Convention. He almost skipped the National Convention for a playoff football game, but Ben decided to go to Nationals where he decided that FFA was for him. He had an amazing time meeting members just like him from all over the nation and wanted to dedicate his time to this organization. In the upcoming year, Ben is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to broaden his understanding of the agricultural industry. He's excited to establish meaningful connections with fellow FFA members, sponsors, and professionals working in various fields. Ben will be attending South Dakota State University where he will further his agricultural education with a wildlife and fisheries major. Ben proudly serves as the 2024-2025 State FFA Sentinel.
Terry Hammel
2024-2025 State Ambassador
Terry Hammel is the son of Tim and Koreen Hammel and the Brother of Tessa Hammel. Terry Grew up in the southern Black Hills on his family's ranch. He helped out with cow work, fixing broken down machinery, and putting up the irrigated hay crop. Terry attended high school in Hot Springs SD, where he graduated in 2024. Throughout high school Terry was involved in trap shooting, 4-H, High school Rodeo, and FFA. In FFA Terry competed in Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Ag mechanics, Parliamentary Procedure, Poultry, and Employment skills. One of Terry’s memories was attending the 95th National FFA Convention with his officer team and the Belle Fourche Parliamentary Procedure team. Terry almost didn’t go to the National Convention because he didn’t fill his elk tag but two days before leaving for Nationals he filled his elk tag and he was glad he went. He enjoyed meeting people from all over the nation and sharing thoughts with other FFA members. Terry is excited to work and advocate for FFA and agriculture in our state. He looks forward to promoting ag and FFA leadership in SD. Terry will be attending Lake Area Technical College where he will be studying Ag Diesel Mechanics on the Build Dakota Scholarship. Terry proudly serves as one of your 2024-2025 State FFA Ambassadors.