By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Edwardsburg Argus
CASSOPOLIS -- The tradition of honoring a Career-Technical Education (CTE) student from one of Cass County's school districts continued Wednesday evening with a senior from Dowagiac Union High School receiving recognition at the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District (LCISD) board meeting.
Amanda Mengel, 18, was nominated by her agriscience teacher Clarence DeBoer, who came to see her receive a certificate and $50 savings bond.
Amanda has a list of accomplishments in her high school career, including participation in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program.
Currently FFA vice president, she has also served as secretary and has been to both the National and State conventions the past three years. She will be receiving her State FFA degree this year, which according to Joan (Fish) Forburger of the ISD, "is very hard work."
Amanda has participated in the broiler chicken project for two years.
She has been involved in 4-H for 11 years and has shown many animals and projects at the Cass County Fair.
She a member of Fellowship with Christian Athletes. She is a band member, class officer, plays golf and is part of Community Outreach.
Amanda told the board members she enjoys going to the FFA conventions where her favorite part is the career show, where you can learn about continuing education opportunities.
The conventions, added ISD Superintendent John Ostrowski, "mirror the national political conventions. FFA is the premier youth organization in this country today."
Amanda's future plans include attending Southwestern Michigan College and transferring to Western Michigan University to study Special Education.
The daughter of Flint and Penny Mengel of Dewey Lake St., Dowagiac, Amanda has one sister, Beth, 16.
Mengel was the second student nominee for Career-Technical Education honored from one of the four county districts (Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, and Marcellus) during this school year.