1. Braden Burns’ Banner Week

This Kingfisher High School senior was a standout at the 95^th State FFA Convention – winning team and individual awards that contributed to another sweepstakes trophy for his chapter and voted by his peers to serve as State FFA Secretary for 2021-22. Then he was named as one of nine Oklahoma seniors who are semifinalists for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Award, selected from among 6,500 candidates nationwide.

2. Stanley Is Staying at KHS

After a year off - thanks to COVID-19 - Kingfisher FFA once again won the sweepstakes trophy during the annual Oklahoma FFA State Convention last week in Oklahoma City. It’s the 19^th consecutive time the program has brought home the trophy, which has become such a familiar fixture that it’s been nicknamed “Stanley” by chapter members. (The impressive run of just nine of the wins is reflected in the base of the trophy from this 2018 file photo, with 2019 and 2021 honors yet to be engraved.) The sweepstakes trophy is awarded at the end of a series of district and state Career Development Events. Kingfisher had two state championship teams and a number of state runners-up this year to garner the championship for a two-adviser program. This was the first time for the chapter to compete at the state level under co-advisers Tyler Gradert and Megan Thormodsgard.

3. More Blue & Gold Glory

After an unexpected year off in 2020, all Kingfisher County FFA chapters came to the 2021 State Convention ready to shine and brought home plenty of shiny gold trophies for their efforts. See results by chapter in Wednesday’s paper.

4. Medicaid Managed Care: Who Is and Isn’t a Fan?

Three Republicans and local providers discuss whether the Governor’s plan to pay 4 private contractors to manage most of the state’s Medicaid program is a boon or blight to rural health.

All this & more coming Wednesday!