May 30, 2026 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2026 • 9 Oklahoma CareerTech mourns loss of state leader in agricultural education Oklahoma CareerTech is riculture will be missed,” said Scott moting programs such as Blue taught us to serve with passion and Teacher of the Year; OkACTE OKLAHOMA’S WORKFORCE mourning the loss of former Okla- Nemecek, current CareerTech Coats to White Coats with OSU purpose,” said Brent Haken, Okla- Agricultural Education Teacher of LEADER homa Agricultural Education Pro- agricultural education state pro- medical school, AET recordkeep- homa CareerTech state director. the Year; OkACTE state president; The Oklahoma Department of gram Manager and State FFA Ad- gram administrator and state FFA ing system, FFA affiliated member- Staats’ honors included Okla- Inspiration Award Oklahoma Pan- Career and Technology Education viser Jack Staats, who died May 19. adviser. ship, national proficiency award homa and National FFA VIP; handle State University; and Out- provides leadership and resources Staats served at Oklahoma Ca- Staats began his agricultural ed- participation and agriscience re- Oklahoma Youth Expo and Tulsa standing NVATA Teacher of the and assures standards of excellence reerTech for 13 years after a 34- ucation teaching career at Freedom search participation. State Fair Show honoree; National Year Award. for a comprehensive statewide sys- year career teaching agricultural High School, where he taught and “While I am deeply saddened Association of Supervisors in Ag- After retiring from Oklahoma tem of career and technology edu- education. He retired in 2020 and served as FFA adviser for three by the loss of an icon in Jack, I ricultural Education Outstanding CareerTech, he served as the Wil- cation. The system offers programs was inducted into the Oklahoma years. He taught and advised one am overwhelmed with gratitude State Supervisor, central region liam Donald Campbell Family and services in 29 technology cen- CareerTech Hall of Fame in 2024. year at Buffalo before starting a and thankfulness for the example vice president and national pres- Endowed Chair professor of agri- ter districts operating on 63 cam- “Jack lived with an energy and two-teacher ag ed program at Alva of service he displayed. No mat- ident; National Association of cultural education at Northwestern puses, 394 PK-12 school districts, passion for life that all who knew High School, where he taught for ter what important role Mr. Staats Agricultural Educators Lifetime Oklahoma State University. 20 Skills Centers campuses that or met him can attest to. His pas- 30 years before moving to Oklaho- held, he first and foremost was an Achievement Award; Oklahoma “Mr. Staats dedicated his life to include three juvenile facilities and sion and service to family, youth, ma CareerTech in 2007. ag teacher. He was the invigorating Agricultural Education Teachers agricultural education, FFA and 49 adult education and family liter- people of all ages, agricultural ed- At CareerTech, he was most leader for students that we all need- Association district vice presi- the development of young people acy providers. ucation and FFA and all things ag- proud of helping create and pro- ed. May we remember the way he dent and state president; OAETA across Oklahoma. His leadership, The agency is governed by the vision and servant heart left a last- State Board of Career and Technol- ing impact on countless students, ogy Education and works closely CANUTE teachers and communities,” Okla- with the State Department of Ed- homa FFA wrote in a post on Face- ucation and the State Regents for book. Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all OKLAHOMA CAREERTECH: Oklahomans. CBA Kiersey Shaw, daughter of Jed and Shalene Shaw of Elk City, re- ceived third place in the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest amongst her eighth-grade peers across the state of Oklaho- ma. Congratulations Kiersey! Josh Moran President/Owner 319 Industrial PKWY Elk City, OK 73644 580.225.2575 MORAN SERVING EQUIPMENT Oklahoma ~ Texas ~ New Mexico www.moranequipment.com Mega Farmers Union Co-Op Gin Breeze & Mini Breeze Call For Pricing! Parts Available! PASS TIME 720 S. Main, Elk City 580-225-6554 580-225-0191 One of the largest metal 918 N. Van Buren IN LINE. suppliers between Elk City, OK 73644 www.elkcitycoop.com OKC and Amarillo www.janningwelding.com READ THE We proudly support the NEWSPAPER. students, staff and administration at Canute Schools ~ Great Plains Bank 620 Highway 66, Canute, OK 73626 banksovereign.com | Member FDIC ~ First National Bank In Print. Online. In Touch.