Coffee with the Owl

Big news is coming out of Shields Valley! In this special Owl Take, the crew breaks down Shields Valley FFA’s road to the national stage, including National Chapter recognition, Marketing Plan, Coffee with the Owl, chapter history, and a new era of leadership. Indianapolis is calling, and the Owls are Indy bound!

In this episode of Coffee with the Owl, we sit down with Shields Valley’s own maintenance manager, Mitch Marks, a true jack of all trades with stories you won’t believe.

From crawling through tunnels under the school to solving decades-old problems, Mitch shares what it actually takes to keep a school running… and it’s a lot more than just “fixing things.” Along the way, we get laughs (including a legendary gopher story), real talk about life, and a powerful look at how hard work, grit, and a few life changes can completely transform your path.

This episode is funny, honest, and full of perspective and it also marks the end of an era as we pass the mic to the next generation of Coffee with the Owl.

Trust us… you’ll want to hear this one.

After losing by just 3 points, this team had a choice, run it back or completely reinvent their strategy.

In this episode, Shields Valley’s State Champion Marketing Plan Team breaks down the moment everything changed: the risky shift, the pressure at state, and what it actually takes to beat a powerhouse program.

From a freshman stepping up, to a team finding its edge, to finally hearing their name called, this is the inside story of a championship run.

If you’ve ever come close… this one hits.

In this special episode of Coffee with the Owl, we sit down with Shields Valley FFA seniors Rylan, Mylee, Teah, and Hagen as they reflect on their final ride through Great Falls, right where it all began their freshman year. From early struggles and pressure-filled moments to championship performances and career-defining lessons, this episode captures what it truly means to grow through FFA.

You’ll hear stories of resilience, missed opportunities that turned into motivation, and the mindset it takes to compete at a high level. From State Star Farmer honors to a Marketing Plan State Championship, each senior shares what made their final convention meaningful and what they’ll carry forward into life beyond the blue jacket.

More than anything, this episode is a reminder: the future is in good hands.

This week on Coffee with the Owl, we sit down with the legendary “Melstone Cowboy” Brody Grebe, a small-town Montana kid who turned grit, discipline, and work ethic into a journey that reached the Division I level, the NFL door, and even Olympic trials.

From growing up on a ranch in a town of under 100 people… to navigating prep school on the East Coast… to competing at Montana State and beyond, Brody shares what it really takes to chase big dreams from a small place.

What happens when the hardest decision of your career becomes the foundation for your greatest impact? Ambra Tennery opens up about leaving the classroom, building culture, and finding purpose beyond what she originally planned.

Mr. Pierce, Everly, and Teah sit down with Montana State FFA Sentinel Weston Sondeno for a powerful conversation about growth, service, and timing. Weston reflects on his journey to state office, sharing stories from the road, the lessons learned through travel, and the deep sense of responsibility he feels serving the FFA organization.

He opens up about the disappointment of not earning a state office on his first attempt and explains why, in hindsight, that setback became a blessing, shaping him, strengthening him, and ultimately preparing him for this year. Weston also shares exciting breaking news about what the future may hold in the months ahead.

Sit back and enjoy an honest, thoughtful episode with a young man who truly was Built for This Year.

Shields Valley 1st VP Mylee and Advisor Mr. Pierce talk with Shields' Math and Business Education Teachers Mr. Teddy Bostley and Mr. Sam Asktin. They talk about the pleasant surprises coming from urban areas to teach in Small Class C Montana. They talk about the joys and struggles taking over programs that were run previously from well respected tenure teachers of Shields Valley. We had laughs and new ideas on how to approach education in the world of today!

National FFA Champion Josie Roberts joins Coffee with the Owl to share her journey to winning Prepared Public Speaking at the National FFA Convention. We discuss her powerful speech on mental health in rural America, what it’s like competing on the biggest stage, and how Wisconsin and Montana FFA compare. Josie’s insight, authenticity, and future ambitions make this one of our most inspiring episodes yet.

Today, before we celebrate a hopeful Bobcat victory, we sat down with Shields Valley Football Coach Dennis Morris, as he shares his story of life in Great Falls, the unexpected changes that got him to Shields Valley and how small town culture made him fall in love with Shields Valley. We hope you get some laughs as you get ready for today's FCS 2nd Round Matchup.

Coffee with the Owl talks with the Executive Director of the Montana FFA Foundation, Megan Irion. Megan talks about her journey and how it led her to the Foundation. She talks about the new opportunities and the direction she wants to take the foundation. We are excited and hope you enjoy this episode!

Season 3 is officially here! Join members Everly and Mylee as they share their experiences from the 205 National FFA Convention — from incredible educational opportunities, to celebrating our National Chapter Award, to… yes… even trying bugs. It’s a fun, honest look at what makes FFA unforgettable.

Little late but starting the year off with a episode featuring some of our captains on the Shields Valley FFA Chapter explaining what is the purpose of CDE's and what the details of their individual event.

Coffee with the Owl dives into all things Northern International Livestock Exposition with special guest Mrs. Shelby Shaw, Livestock Department Manager and Director of Youth Educational Engagement. With over 15 years of experience at the NILE, Shelby provides an in-depth look at the effort and dedication it takes to bring this iconic event to life. Don’t miss this insider's perspective on what it takes to make the NILE a success!

Get ready for an amazing episode of Coffee with the Owl! Today, Mr. Pierce and Caroline sit down with none other than Mr. Rodney Braaten, the legendary Ruby Valley FFA Advisor with 18 years of experience under his belt. Together, they dive into the behind-the-scenes magic of the Ruby Valley Invitational—an epic livestock, range, and forestry contest that’s been running strong for 53 years! You’re guaranteed to pick up some fresh insights on the RVI, and who knows, you might even crack a smile or two along the way. So grab your coffee and join us for a lively conversation you won’t want to miss!

Same cranky owl, brand new cohost start the next season of Coffee with the Owl. We recap the summer and explore new events that are happening this fall for Shields Valley FFA.

Now we talk to the members and captains of the Agronomy, Food Science, and Marketing Teams to get their perspective of State Convention. Great conversations and viewpoints from our members

Someone is running the show and it isn't Mr. Pierce. Buckle your seat belts. Our Reporter Mackinzie Hogenson and our Food Science Team Captain Caroline Elder dive into the x's and o's of Food Science in Montana with Caroline's Coach.

Mr. Pierce and Mackinzie interview the Reserve Champion Coach of the Shields Valley Marketing Team Danielle Pierce. They discuss the run and success the team had throughout the year.

**Disclaimer** This episode was recording during the Prep period of the Ag ED Department, you will hear a bell and a general announcement during this episode.

Shields Valley FFA had great success with the Montana State FFA Convention this year. Coffee with Owl dives in the success of the chapter through a multi-episode series. We start with discussing the process and success of our State Winning Agronomy Team with their coach, Sage Willis.