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2025 Youth Program Delegates

2025 Youth Program Delegates

FreeState invests in our youth through opportunities designed to provide experiences that guide students to develop leadership and communication skills. These two high school juniors went through a competitive application process where they prepared an application, an essay and interview where they earned the opportunity to represent FreeState at two great leadership experiences this summer.

MEET TILLY 

2025 Youth Tour Delegate 
PERRY LECOMPTON HIGH SCHOOL 
PARENTS: CINDY HART & TODD JOHNSON

My name is Tilly Johnson, and I am a junior at Perry Lecompton High School. I have a passion for music, staying active and learning new things. 

Because my elementary and middle school did not have a sports program, I was drawn to music as an outlet. This later branched off into dance lessons, learning to play the clarinet, and being involved in multiple choirs. It wasn’t until my freshman year that I first participated in school sports (track, cheer, dance and tennis). 

I enjoy school and most things that come with it. Over school breaks, I always find myself wanting to go back. I thrive off of social interaction, learning new information and the challenges that come with it. This is why I hope to never stop learning and to find a future career path that hopefully will help me inspire others.

EXCERPT FROM TILLY’S ESSAY ABOUT HER MENTOR 

I was the new kid. As a freshman, I was new to the school but also new to the entire concept of band. I met Mr. Rathert for the first time before the school year started. 

He quickly prompted conversation by asking me questions about myself. I told him I was going to be new this year, and he replied saying he was as well and that we would be learning together. This conversation alone gave me so much courage going into my first day of school, knowing that even if the rest of the day was nerve-wracking, I at least could find comfort in the fact I was not alone in this new place. 

Three years later, that warmth and welcome have remained. Mr. Rathert has built our band program by not only inspiring younger students to give it a try, but also by cultivating an environment where kids feel welcome. No matter your skill level or social background, you can have a place in the band. I have seen an entire community’s perspective shift for the better. 

One of the most important things Mr. Rathert has taught me does not have to do with music at all. He has taught me the importance of honesty and integrity and how to carry yourself with grace even in times of personal strife. He creates a space where even if all my other classes are stressful or chaotic, fifth-hour band stays consistently grounded and constructive. He always preaches that we should strive to be better people, not just better musicians.

MEET CHARLESEY 

2025 Leadership Camp Delegate 
MCLOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 
PARENTS: ABBY COFFIN & MICHAEL COFFIN

My name is Charlesey Coffin and I am a junior at McLouth High School. 

I want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education at one of my top schools: the University of Kansas, Texas Christian University or the University of Arkansas and become a high school band director. 

I am very active in my school, such as being our FFA chapter reporter for the past two years and being a class officer for five years. I am also a member of the student council, play varsity softball, and I am on the McLouth Bands leadership team. 

Outside of school, I raise sheep and goats and participate in 4-H to show at the state and county level, as well as being very involved in many music groups such as the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and Band of Angels.

EXCERPT FROM CHARLESEY’S ESSAY ABOUT HER MENTOR 

When I think of a person who defines the meaning of a mentor in my life and my community, I immediately think of my ag teacher and my FFA Advisor, Mrs. H. 

Starting the position in 2013, she worked tirelessly to build an FFA program from the ground up as our school didn’t previously have one. 

She organized funding for the upcoming program and worked incredibly hard to get the school boards’ permission for the founding of the program. 

Mrs. H has also made it her priority to incorporate community support into her FFA chapter in numerous ways. She manages so much outreach within our community such as inviting stakeholders to FFA banquets, advocating for ag education in our elementary school by having a student teach a lesson about agriculture once a month, supporting the McLouth Threshing Bee and McLouth Tractor Pull by setting up volunteer opportunities for her students, organizing many appreciation breakfasts for local businesses, asking local businesses to send employees to talk to students about their career force and job opportunities within the communities that students can take advantage of once they graduate, and lastly, setting up a food program with a student to help feed the community by sending out food string bags for those in need. In all of these scenarios, Mrs. H has made so many connections in the community and made McLouth FFA students a friend to all of those people.