Loads of awards passed out at annual WH FFA banquet
The new West Holmes FFA class officers were officially handed the leadership in the recent FFA banquet at Harvest Ridge.
On Saturday, May 10, West Holmes FFA held its annual banquet at Harvest Ridge with over 280 guests and chapter members present. The banquet was held to honor and recognize all the FFA members’ achievements over the past year, as well as to recognize community members for their help and involvement in the FFA.
Special recognition was given to the following members: Jenna Sheldon, DeKalb Award; Garrett Fowler, Gabby Yates and Andi Schuch, Outstanding Senior Award; Blake Patterson and Logan Van Dalen, Outstanding Junior Award; Shane Lorentz, Star Chapter Farmer; Carson Horn and Landrie Croskey, Outstanding Sophomore Award; Mia Spencer and Makenzie Mast, Star Greenhand; and Emma McDonnell, Outstanding Freshman Award.
These members earned the highest points in their respective grades from their involvement in activities throughout the year.
The chapter also recognized community members who have helped the chapter in many ways. Honorary Chapter Degrees, the highest award a chapter can give a nonmember, were presented to Mandy Taylor and Mrs. and Mr. Keaton Lorentz.
Distinguished Service Awards, given to community members who have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty, were given to Tim Hershberger, Kayla Jones, Don Snow, Holmes Rental Station of Millersburg and Lexi Ogi.
An Honorary State Degree is presented at the State Convention, and we took time to recognize it at our banquet as well. This award is given to an individual who has received the Honorary Chapter Degree and continues to help the chapter. This year it was given to Mr. Pringle.
Every year we hand out awards of appreciation to any nonmembers that have helped us throughout the year serving as guest speakers, judges, team coaches and more.
The record-keeping award is sponsored by Rob Hovis. It is presented to FFA members who have shown excellence in record-keeping and accounting throughout the year. This year a $100 check was presented to Ian Barr and Jenna Zimmerly in recognition of their work and record-keeping skills.
Members also were recognized for earning the highest GPAs in each class:
—Freshmen: Andrew Weaver, Reece Anderson, Ellie Babitt, Electra Beachy and Gabby Fowler, all 4.0.
—Sophomores: Shane Lorentz with a 4.0 and Emmy Miller with a 3.88.
—Juniors: Madison Ringwalt with a 4.0 and Dylan Sours with a 3.79.
—Seniors: Andi Schuch, Garrett Fowler, Jenna Sheldon and Ian Barr, all 4.0.
Each year Chenevey requires all seniors to complete the National FFA Scholarship Application. This year senior Ian Barr received a Bayer Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship for $1,500.
The top 10 salesmen also were recognized: Garrett and Gabby Fowler, 10th, $2,114; Madison Ringwalt, ninth, $2,221; Carson and Logan Horn, eighth, $2,559; Keith Hawkins, seventh, $2,559; Brianna Poventud, sixth, $2,597; Wyatt Troyer, fifth, $2,623; Shane Lorentz, fourth, $2,843; Ian Barr, third, $2,986; Andi Schuch, second, $5,652; and Jenna Sheldon, first, $5,826.
Members also were recognized for those who had received State Degrees this year and state proficiency finalists.
State Degree recipients were Claire Drzazga, Ava Eberhard, Grady Hawkins, Cassidy Holasek, Rowan Holasek, Blake Patterson, Madison Ringwalt, Jarrett Schafer, Hayden Smith, Sophia Stitzlein, Logan Van Dalen and Jenna Zimmerly.
The state proficiency finalists were Hayden Smith, Beef Entrepreneurship, first in districts, third in state; Ian Barr, Equine Entrepreneurship, first in districts, third in state; Tyler Zimmerly, Forest Management and Products, first in districts, second in state; Grady Hawkins, Forest Management and Products, first in districts, third in state; and Wyatt Schlauch, State Star Farmer finalist.
Congratulations guys!
We took time out of the night to recognize our CDEs that placed top 10 in the state. The top 10 CDEs were as follows:
—Ag Sales, 10th in the state, and individual members Alex Pringle, 21st; Blake Patterson, 37th; Logan Van Dalen, 49th; and Garrett Fowler, 50th.
—Beginning Prepared Speaking: Makenzie Mast, 10th in the state.
—Horse Judging: Ian Barr, eighth individual in state.
—Dairy Judging: seventh in state, and individual members Ian Barr, 19th; Jenna Zimmerly, 30th; Reece Anderson, 32nd; and Emma McDonnell, 37th.
—Vet Science, sixth in state, and individual members Ian Barr, 42nd; Jenna Sheldon, 44th; Gabby Yates, 62nd; and Jenna Zimmerly, 70th.
Members are given a gold, silver or bronze rating based on their involvement in activities throughout the year.
In the freshman class, bronze members were Jack Jewell, Jackson Baker, Hayden Conkle, Deacon Clemens, Kendra Hall, Ellie Babitt, Anna Towner, Andrew Weaver, Nevaeh Mast, Zander Croskey and Natalie Lauriha.
Silver members were Chloe Kaser, Cadence Martie, Madison Mittman, Bridget Umstead, Payton Taylor, Wyatt Troyer, Rayne Larimore, Reece Anderson and Courtney Crider.
Gold members were Reagan Mackey, Natty Lint, Cameron Hinton, Gabby Fowler, Ellectra Beachy, Emma McDonnell, Makenzie Mast and Mia Spencer.
In the sophomore class, bronze members were Leland Landaw, Ben Forrer, Billy Patten and Steven Grandstaff.
Silver members were Keston McKinney, Jordan Long, Emmy Miller, Easton Uhl, Logan Horn, Nate Sprang, Cara McMillen and Jenna Brumme.
Gold members were Carson Horn, Landrie Croskey and Shane Lorentz.
In the junior class, Bronze members were Mason Miller, Sophia Stitzlein, Gabby Mendoza and Jarret Shafer.
Silver members were Brianna Poventud, Dylan Sours, Cassidy Holasek, Rowen Holasek, Emma Eberhard, Grady Hawkins and Jenna Zimmerly.
Gold members were Claire Drzaga, Madison Ringwalt, Blake Patterson and Logan Van Dalen.
In the senior class, bronze members were Madison Pearce-Lafety, Drake Yoder, Quentin Vehrs and Colby Long.
Silver members were Hayden Smith, Hailey Richert, Casey Ogi, Keith Hawkins, Ava Eberhard, Alex Pringle and Miley Snow.
Gold members were Ian Barr, Gabby Yates, Andi Schuch, Garrett Fowler and Jenna Sheldon.
New officers were installed as follows: President Madison Ringwalt, Vice President Emma Eberhard, Treasurer Shane Lorentz, secretary Mia Spencer, reporter Courtney Crider, historian Wyatt Troyer, sentinel Makenzie Mast and student adviser Natty Lint.
The banquet concluded with a live auction that consisted of cakes and other miscellaneous items auctioned by FFA alumni Mr. Jayme Pennell. The live and silent auction raised almost $3,768, which was donated to the Holmes County Roots.