Wahl to serve as state Wheat Ambassador

Two high school seniors have been selected to represent Washington wheat farmers and will serve as the Washington Wheat Ambassadors for the upcoming year. Maya Wahl of Lind and Max Mielke of Davenport were selected after an initial written application process that also included submitting a short introductory video.

Wahl and Mielke will each be giving a speech at the upcoming Washington Association of Wheat Growers Annual Awards Banquet on Nov. 14 during the Tri-State Grain Growers Convention in Spokane. The seniors will be judged on the quality of their presentation, and at the conclusion of the banquet, scholarships of $2,500 and $1,000 will be awarded. Wahl and Mielke will represent Washington wheat farmers at various civic and community events and will also participate in an advocacy trip to Olympia with WAWG leaders.

Wahl is the daughter of James and Rena Wahl and their family farm is near Lind. Wahl has maintained a 3.987 GPA in high school and she has been very active in her local FFA chapter.

Wahl plans to run for state FFA office in the spring. Wahl is also Lind’s representative in the Washington Distinguished Young Woman Program. She is also involved in basketball, volleyball and track, and is a member of the Lind-Ritzville Honor Society. Wahl also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane and served as a legislative page for State Senator Mark Schoesler. Wahl plans to attend a four-year college and hopes to pursue a degree in Agricultural Communications.

Mielke is the son of Robert and Kristy Mielke. Their wheat and cattle ranch sits just west of Davenport. Mielke has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and has been active in FBLA and Davenport’s ASB. He is also involved in Swing Choir and is a member of the Davenport Honor Society. Recently Mielke ran a half-marathon and raised more than $2,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Mielke is also a Boy Scout and is involved in basketball, tennis and football. Mielke plans on attending a four-year college and is considering a career in Agricultural Economics and Marketing.