Madelyn Gerken will attempt to become the first Kingfisher FFA alumni in two decades to become a National FFA officer.

The 2018 Kingfisher High School graduate was recently nominated by the Oklahoma FFA Association to represent the state in the national competition. Each state can nominate one member each year.

Gerken was one of 38 nominees nationally as they vie for the six spots to serve during the 2020-21 year.

Currently a junior at Oklahoma State University, Gerken is eligible to become National FFA president or secretary or the Central Region vice president (National FFA is split into four regions).

In a traditional setting, Gerken would go through the interview and competition process Oct. 18-25 during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

However, this year’s convention will be held virtually, meaning Gerken and other nominees will take part in the process via Zoom.

Every candidate will take part in the first phase of a two-phase process.

Phase I includes a personal round, one-onone interviews with each member of the nine-person nominating committee, a stand-and-deliver interview, a video exercise and more.

The top 50 percent of candidates after Phase I will advance to Phase II.

This round includes a second personal round, facilitating to real-life students, and round robin conversations and media interviews.

The National Officer Team will be announced Oct. 29 during the final session of the National Convention.

Gerken is majoring in animal science with a biotechnology pre-health option; a minor in American sign language.

If selected for a national office, Gerken said she’ll take off a year from college to fulfill her duties.

According to the FFA website: “National officers dedicate one year of service with the organization. The time is spent representing student membership during meetings with the National FFA Board of Directors, facilitating workshops that bring leadership and knowledge to FFA members, delivering motivational speeches and serving as advocates for FFA on a global scale.”

If chosen, Gerken would be the first Kingfisher FFA chapter member to serve national office since Danny Grellner in 1990-91. Ridge Hughbanks of Alva was the most recent representative - and 23rd overall - of Oklahoma on the national team. He was the Central Region vice president in 2018-19.

Managing Editor Michael Swisher contributed to this article.