For Deshler High School senior Elizabeth Erickson, sparks flying from a welding torch at Reinke Manufacturing represent more than just metalwork for irrigation equipment – they symbolize an opportunity for a bright future in agriculture.

Erickson, 17, has been named a Nebraska FFA Association State Star Finalist in Placement, one of the highest honors awarded by the organization. Out of hundreds of members across the state, only 24 students are selected as finalists across four categories: Placement, Agribusiness, Production and Agriscience.

“Through her work at Reinke, Erickson has developed impressive technical skills, including fabrication, blueprint reading and robotic welding processes – experience rarely available to most high school students,” said Juliana Kroeger, Agricultural Education teacher and Deshler FFA Advisor.

The Placement category that Erickson is a finalist recognizes students whose Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) focuses on working for an employer in agriculture or agribusiness. Erickson’s SAE is built around her work at Reinke, where she began in sprinkler assembly last year before advancing to the welding department during the summer.

“The hands-on training has really helped to shape my career goals,” Erickson said. “I appreciate the opportunity this experience has already given me and what it will do for my future.”

Her success reflects well on the strong partnership between Reinke and Deshler Public Schools. For the past 17 years, the manufacturing company has supplied the school with a welding instructor and sponsored Deshler’s robotics team for nearly a decade.

The Deshler-based company supplies irrigation equipment to growers around the world but, according to Reinke President Chris Roth, investing in education and creating opportunities for students in rural communities is an important part of the company’s mission.

“It’s important to our organization to support education,” Roth said. “It’s very gratifying to have students like Elizabeth excel through the programs we sponsor, and we look forward to see her taking her next step into college.”

Three years ago, during Erickson’s sophomore year, she began taking welding classes. Under the guidance of Reinke Welding Technician Chuck Hatzenbuehler, who has taught students at the school since 2011, Erickson has taken full advantage of multiple opportunities to sharpen her skills.

“Elizabeth quickly discovered a natural talent for the skills essential to becoming a good welder,” Hatzenbuehler said. “She’s been dedicated to learning all she can about the science of welding, attended the advanced welding classes we offered and participating in evening sessions at the school to continue learning before going to work at Reinke.”

Later this month, Erickson will travel to the Nebraska FFA State Convention in Lincoln for a formal interview with judges as part of the State Star selection process. One finalist will ultimately be named the State Star in each of the four categories.

Regardless of the outcome, Erickson has already made history as only the second State Star finalist in the history of the Deshler FFA program.

“I’m nervous about the interviews I’ll have during the FFA contest, but I feel like everything I’ve been doing has prepared me for this,” she said. “From Mrs. Kroeger encouraging me to apply for the competition to all the things Chuck and my co-workers have taught me – I know everyone wants to see me succeed. That support means a lot, and it will take me on to my next phase in college.”

After graduation, Erickson plans to study welding at Fort Hays Tech North Central before transferring to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her goal is to return to a rural community as a Skilled and Technical Sciences teacher, passing along the skills that helped to spark her own interests to the next generation.

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