2004/2005 Abstract
Kansas State University

The Block and Bridle Club of Kansas State University began the busy 2004/2005 academic year with the College of Ag Watermelon Feed.  This kick-off event was sponsored by the Dean’s Office and designed to acquaint new students with the options they have for participation in ag related clubs while attending KSU.  Our Club manned a recruiting booth at the Watermelon Feed and we followed that with our first meeting of the year.  There were more than 120 in attendance!!!  Our current and former Department Heads (Drs. Janice Swanson and Jack Riley, respectively) gave pep talks at this first meeting and did a fine job of setting the stage for our slate of outstanding educational speakers that addressed the Club during our regular meetings throughout the Fall semester.

As always, the Watermelon Feed proved to be fertile ground for recruiting new members as demonstrated by the turnout of nearly 35 rookies for the initiation ceremonies in October.  We were kind of soft on the rookies this year, with initiation consisting of a written exam and competition in events such as the egg toss, a hay bale race, show stick relay, and roping a dummy calf.  Finally, we treated all the new recruits to cookies and punch before sending them home with a few fond memories.

Our Fall semester continued with activities such as a hamburger feed to encourage interaction among our members and to strengthen friendships …. both new and old.  We also parked cars at all of the home football games as our primary fund-raising activity for the year and threw in a couple tailgate parties just to keep morale high!!  We closed the Fall semester with the B&B Christmas Party that consisted of 50 cent tacos at Bobby T’s (a local eating establishment).

All-in-all, we had an active and productive Fall semester.  Then, it was time to take a break with family during the Christmas holidays and return to school ready for an even better second semester.

We kicked the Spring semester off with the National Convention in Denver, Colorado.  Great fun was had by all both on the chartered bus and in the city of Denver.  We must say that the guys and gals from Colorado State did a marvelous job of organizing and hosting the National Convention.  Finally, and best of all, our 33 Club members that made the trip to Denver got to see our web site (GREAT JOB EMILY) and our Outstanding Junior nominee (CONGRATULAYIONS CURT) recognized as some of the best in the nation!!!!

Next on the agenda were planning sessions for the AGR/B&B Kickoff Show.  The Kickoff Show was a cattle show for junior exhibitors and drew participants from every corner of the Great State of Kansas.  This was the third year for the Kickoff Show and, by all indications, it is only getting stronger.

Other activities for the Spring semester included manning the concession stands at the Kansas State University Rodeo and organizing the Little American Royal Showmanship Contest (a huge undertaking).  We finished the year with our Annual Banquet.  At this capstone event, we swore in new Executive Officers, recognized the accomplishments of our Outstanding Stockman (Sam Hands) and Honorary Member (Warren and Carol Weibert) awardees, and announced our Outstanding Senior (Kate Blubaugh) and Outstanding Junior (Kati Neil) for the 2004-2005 school year.

Officers

Outgoing President: Kate Blubaugh
Incoming President: Kati Neil

Outgoing Vice President: Kristy Wempe
Incoming Vice President: Caleb Mattix

Outgoing Recording Secretary:  Rosy Hansen
Incoming Recording Secretary: Staci Degeer

Outgoing Corresponding Secretary:  Melinda Tebow
Incoming Corresponding Secretary: Leanne Thompson

Outgoing Treasurer: Christine Soukup 
Incoming Treasurer: Adam Lukert

Outgoing Reporter: Sarah Pippenger 
Incoming Reporter: Kacee Thompson

Outgoing LAR Reps: Abby Dechant/Kati Neil
Incoming LAR Reps: Abby Dechant/Melinda Tebow

Outgoing Ag Council Rep: Jake Crockford 
Incoming Ag Council Rep: Justin Bolte

Outgoing Marshal: Cale Wiehe
Incoming Marshal: Ronny Pope

Outgoing Business Manager: Heather Langton
Incoming Business Manager: Cassie Benz

Outgoing Feeds/Concessions Coor.: Toni Belshe 
Incoming Feeds/Concessions Coor.: Jake Crockford 

Outgoing Parking Coordinators: Adam Lukert/Angie Harris
Incoming Parking Coordinators: Tina Krafft/Kacy Coulter

Outgoing Web Master: Bonnie Baumbach 
Incoming Web Master: Rosy Hansen

Outgoing Rookie Reps: Will Hatcher/D.J. Rezac
Incoming Rookie Reps: To be announced/To be announced

Outgoing Senior Advisor: Dr. Joe Hancock 
Incoming Senior Advisor: Dr. Scott Beyer

Outgoing Junior Advisor: Dr. Scott Beyer 
Incoming Junior Advisor: Dr. Ron Pope

Outgoing Rookie Advisor: Dr. Ron Pope
Incoming Rookie Advisor: To be announced

For additional information, visit us at our web address:

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/pr_bbc/welcome.asp

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