In April, the following individuals were selected during the Idaho FFA State Convention in Twin Falls to represent the organization for the coming year. They will spend the next year conducting chapter visits, facilitating leadership events and advocating for the Idaho FFA Association.
Matthew Waite. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Matthew Waite, president
A recent graduate of Melba High School, Matthew Waite is heading to his freshman year at the University of Idaho, where he will be studying food and nutrition and serving as the Idaho FFA president. His career ambitions are to work as a sports nutritionist or in education.
Waite says that, although he grew up in a small farming town, he didn’t have much hands-on experience with agriculture before high school. “We didn’t even really go to the fair that much growing up,” he says. Waite joined FFA because his mom participated in the organization during her teenage years, and he quickly became hooked.
“For me, FFA was a way to connect,” Waite says. “A lot of times, you see rivalries between schools – especially in sports – but FFA really broke down those barriers and allowed you to connect with the schools instead of just compete against them.”
Waite is especially excited about all of the new people he will meet in the year ahead. “I really enjoy personal connection, so I am excited for that.”
He is the son of Amy and Michael Waite of Melba.
Lizzie Mueller. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Lizzie Mueller, vice president
Lizzie Mueller, a proud graduate of Salmon Junior-Senior High School, recently made history as the first state officer to come from her hometown.
“I honestly didn’t think a girl from Salmon would get called,” Mueller says. “It was unbelievable.”
Her FFA journey started thanks to her horse 4-H project – her 4-H leader happened to also be the FFA advisor, and that connection opened the door to the blue jacket. From there, Mueller jumped into every opportunity she could, holding both chapter and district officer positions over the years and gaining leadership experience that shaped her future.
She’s especially proud of the growth she’s seen in Salmon FFA, which now has 36 active members, and how she’s played a part in strengthening chapters across her region. Her dedication helped pave the way for a brand-new district, bringing together chapters from Leodore, Challis, Mackay and the online ITCA FFA chapter.
This year, Mueller is excited to serve as the Idaho FFA state vice president. She looks forward to traveling across the state, meeting members and helping others discover the same confidence and purpose FFA has given her. While serving, she’ll also be attending the University of Idaho this fall, majoring in agricultural education – a career path she’s deeply passionate about. Her ultimate goal is to return to a rural community as an ag teacher and FFA advisor to give back to students the same way her mentors gave to her.
“I’ll never be too big for my chapter,” Mueller says. “They’re the reason I had the courage to run. I give them all the credit for pushing me to put my best foot forward.”
She is the daughter of Nathan and Frances Mueller of Salmon.
Emily Sorensen. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Emily Sorensen, secretary
Emily Sorensen, a recent graduate of Preston High School, discovered her passion for FFA thanks to her older brother, Jordan, who encouraged her to take an agriculture class.
“I always tell people, my brother told me to take it, but I fell in love with it, and that’s why I stayed and kept taking classes,” Sorensen says.
A memorable moment from Emily Sorensen’s FFA journey occurred during the State Dairy Foods competition. Listening for her name as placings were announced, her brother Jordan Sorensen, who was also competing, believed he had become the drop score. But when Emily’s name was announced for second place, her brother turned around and gave her an emotional hug. That moment left a lasting impact on Emily and inspired her to pursue state office. "I wanted the opportunity to be everyone else’s Jordan, to be that cheerleader and supporter even when others rise above them."
As Sorensen looks ahead, she plans to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she will study elementary education. While her current focus is on education, she acknowledges that if her path changes, she would consider a career in agricultural education, a field that has become close to her heart through her FFA experiences.
She is the daughter of Becky and Randall Sorensen of Preston.
Gabe Kitamura. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Gabe Kitamura, treasurer
When Gabe Kitamura, a recent graduate of Rocky Mountain High School, joined FFA as a freshman, it was more out of family pressure than personal ambition. "My uncle kind of hit me with a phony threat – he said he'd be mad if I didn’t join," Kitamura jokes. That nudge led to a surprising journey that took him from an urban upbringing to leading Idaho FFA as a state officer.
Though his roots trace back to a family farm in eastern Oregon, Kitamura grew up in a city setting. Seeking a way to connect with agriculture, he and his father started a backyard beekeeping business. “That was the point that hooked me,” he says. “Once I realized how much you really can do with FFA, I was all in.”
Since then, Kitamura has worked on his extended family’s row-crop farm and plans to take a gap year to serve Idaho FFA and work with Baker & Murakami Produce Company, a major onion producer where his grandfather serves as the CEO.
Looking back, he encourages younger members to dive into every opportunity. “My biggest regret is not taking more chances early on,” Kitamura reflects. “You never know what one experience can lead to.”
After his service as state FFA officer, Kitamura plans to attend Oregan State University to study veterinary medicine with hopes to be a large-animal veterinarian.
He is the son of Brian and Jennifer Kitamura of Meridian.
Anna Hernandez. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Anna Hernandez, reporter
For Anna Hernandez, a recent graduate of American Falls High School, her career goals were all sparked by FFA.
“I got interested in entomology through our insect identification competitions,” explains Hernandez, who will be attending the University of Idaho to major in entomology this fall. “I realized how much I enjoy research, writing and being in the science field. It just felt like the perfect fit.”
Though she didn’t grow up in agriculture, Hernandez's siblings and FFA advisors encouraged her to get involved when she entered high school.
“I didn’t know what FFA was at first,” she admits. “But once I got involved, I realized how much it offered. It really pushed me to pursue agriculture and explore new opportunities.”
Hernandez has worked harvest jobs and at Valley Wide Cooperative, gaining firsthand experience in ag-related work. After college, she hopes to become an agricultural entomologist focusing on pest management, working either for the government or private industry. Later, she plans to pursue graduate school and become a college professor.
Why run for state office? “I’ve had so many great experiences in FFA, and I wanted the opportunity to give back and help other members,” she says. “I had so much encouragement from others, and I want to make a difference.”
She is the daughter of Mirta and Francisco Hernandez of American Falls.
Alie Misenheimer. Image courtesy of the Idaho FFA Association.
Alie Misenheimer, sentinel
Alie Misenheimer, a recent graduate of Owyhee High School and member of the Meridian FFA, grew up in the suburbs but found her way into a program that sparked her interest in welding.
“My aunt was in FFA and raised swine in high school,” Misenheimer shares. “She encouraged me to join when I found out my school had a chapter. I feel like I’m living her dream sometimes. It’s wonderful to tell her all the things I am doing.”
Misenheimer is heading to the University of Idaho this fall to study agricultural education. She hopes to become a shop-focused ag teacher and FFA advisor, combining her love for welding with mentorship.
Misenheimer graduated with a welding certification in May and has spent the past three years in the Meridian FFA welding program, where she also served as a teacher’s aide, teaching and demonstrating welds to students. “I love the ‘aha’ moments that kids get, and so it’s one of those things where I want to do that the rest of my life.” She also has spent the past year working in a fabrication shop in the Boise Valley.
As a state officer, she hopes to uplift and advocate for FFA members across Idaho. “I want to help others realize you don’t need the title or the recognition to be a great leader and a great person. The goal in life shouldn’t be to be recognized for the things you do but to do them with a good heart.”
She is the daughter of Nathan and Jenifer Misenheimer of Star.
