Norwayne FFA recaps achievements

CRESTON, OHIO – Norwayne FFA students were recognized for their accomplishments during their annual member recognition banquet.

Ben Stoller capped off his FFA career by winning the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award.

Stoller is also the Ohio FFA’s District 3 President.

Jayna Hartzler received the Star Chapter Farmer degree and Jesse Rose was named as the chapter’s Star Greenhand.

State, national awards. The chapter also acknowledged American FFA Degree recipients Josh Riggenbach and Derek Nieman, and State FFA Degree recipients Jared Bauman, Aaron Cochrell, Sam Gerber, Esther Rupp and Tyler Rupp.

Mandy Morlock received the George R. Smith Award for her accomplishments with her SAE program. Morlock’s program involved maintaining records for feed, milk production and expenses on two cows and four replacements.

Honorary awards. Bob and Jan Cochrell and Steve and Marylynn Stoller were selected as the 2004 Honorary Chapter Farmer degree recipients.

The Stollers provided transportation to the national convention and Steve Stoller also helped with the construction of the time capsule for the 75th Anniversary of the FFA.

The Cochrells have supported the chapter in a number of ways. Bob Cochrell has hosted and dug pits for soil judging contests. He also helped establish the Norwayne FFA Alumni. Jan Cochrell has supplied refreshments for chapter activities, helped with the petting zoo and Barnyard Olympics.

New officers. The 2004-2005 chapter officers will be Esther Rupp, president; Jared Bauman, vice president; Cymbal Riggenbach, secretary; Samuel Gerber, treasurer; Jayne Hartzler, reporter; Ross Cochrell, sentinel; Drew Rupp, student adviser; Megan Shemrich, historian; and assistants Jesse Rose, Steven Hunt, Jeff Snyder and Jon Dotterer.

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Chapter wins contest to build FFA anniversary time capsule

CRESTON, Ohio – When the Norwayne FFA was selected to build a time capsule in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the FFA , they used the Wayne County bicentennial barn as a model.

Won contest. According to chapter adviser Aaron Arnold, the state association sponsored a contest for the chapters to submit a design for the time capsule. The Norwayne chapter’s design was selected.

The time capsule cost $500 to construct and the cost was covered by the Ohio FFA.

“Anyone who was available on Saturday or an evening worked on the project,” Arnold said. “There are about 350 student hours in it, 340 of them were out of school.”

Arnold added that Steve Stoller, who works for Galehouse Construction, coordinated the project.

Timely celebration. The chapter selected the bicentennial barn because represented agriculture anywhere in Ohio.

“This was timely,” Arnold said. “Ohio celebrated its bicentennial in 2003 and FFA celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2003. It was the event of the year.”

The time capsule is a 1/24th scale model of the Wayne County Bicentennial barn.

Made of plywood. The barn, even the roof, is constructed out of plywood and the windows are Plexiglas.

The sidewalls are made out of birch plywood that the students ran through a table saw to score it to depict the look of the real barn.

Even the roof was made from plywood, according to Jordan Hartzler. He explained that the students ran a piece of plywood through a belt sander until it started to curve.

A table saw gave it a ridged appearance, Hartzler said, and several coats of chrome paint created a metal look.

Strong program. The time capsule is not the first construction project for chapter members. Over the past 14 years, the chapter has received four sweepstakes awards at the Ohio State Fair and 10 reserve sweepstakes awards.

“It was an honor to do it,” Arnold said.