MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Members of the West Holmes FFA chapter traveled to Columbus May 1-3 for the 80th Ohio State FFA Convention.
During the convention, members participated in CDE tests. Members also took the Cooperative Education Test and placed seventh as a team. Individual placements included: Emma Brewer, 18th; Martin Overholt, 26th; Katie O’Donnell, 31st; and other participants included Linsey Howel, Katie McKenna, Nikole Hanna, Nikkita Brown, Cynthia Bunch, Paul Skolmutch, Tyler Schonauer, Kiersten Sigler, Brant Duncan and Kyle Hanna.
Garrett O’Donnell, Nate Frank, Bryant Straits and Becky Landon took the Greenhand quiz.
At the opening session, members got to see the extemporaneous and beginning prepared speaking state winners give their winning speeches.
During the second session, chapter member Nate Frank performed an original piece on piano, which earned him fourth place in the talent show.
Also, the chapter listened to the All-Ohio FFA Band, which included the chapter members Martin Overholt and Nate Frank.
That evening, the chapter headed for the Celeste Center to watch Katie O’Donnell receive her fourth-place award for her specialty animal production proficiency.
Brant Duncan received his gold-rated treasurer award and Martin Overholt received his gold-rated reporter award.
Four West Holmes FFA members received their State FFA Degrees: Nikole Hanna, Katie O’Donnell and Linsey Howell.
COLLINS, Ohio — Maria Zimmerman of Western Reserve High School was recently presented the school’s highest agricultural honor, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award.
Zimmerman, the daughter of Steve and Judy Zimmerman, received the award May 15 at the chapter’s annual banquet.
She has served in a number of offices for the school’s FFA chapter and has earned a number of awards, including her Chapter FFA Degree and State FFA Degree.
The Star Awards were presented to: Mandi Combs for Star Greenhand; Hope Spishak for Star Chapter; Sara Scheerer and Maria Zimmerman, both receiving the Star Agribusiness Award; and Seth Todd was presented the Star Farmer.
Matt Gillenwater was awarded the 110 percent Award.
Twenty-one second-year members received their Chapter FFA Degrees and 22 members received their Greenhand FFA Degrees.
Two men were presented with the Honorary FFA Chapter Degree. Craig Norton wasacknowledged for his 30 years of teaching agriculture. Justin French was also presented with this award for his support and for helping chaperone.
Many recipients were awarded for chapter proficiencies. A total of 33 members were presented with certificates of participation for their career development events.
There are two scholarships granted each year, the Kenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship and the Mike Fritz Memorial Scholarship. The Kenny Rogers Memorial Scholarship was presented to Maria Zimmerman and the Mike Fritz Memorial Scholarship was presented to Matt Gillenwater.
The Classroom Scholarship Awards were granted to: Andrea Absher, Casey Molesky, Heather Sayler and Maria Zimmerman.
Blue and Gold Awards were earned by: Erik Hansberger, Brianna Hinckley, Aloysius Miller III and James Bolden. The Outstanding Awards went to: Andrea Absher, Casey Molesky, Heather Sayler and L. Hansberger.
The new officers were installed at the end of the banquet: Heather Sayler, president; Casey Molesky, vice president; Erin Kohler, secretary; Hope Spishak, treasurer; Jesseka Starkey, reporter; Erik Hansberger, sentinel; Mandi Combs, student adviser; Andrea Absher, historian; and Al Miller III, student concessions manager.
BELOIT, Ohio — West Branch FFA conducted an artificial insemination class with 11 FFA students participating. The three-day training school was held at West Branch High School and the Damascus Livestock Auction.
In a cross curricula awareness exercise, John Zamerelli, the West Branch High chorale director, participated in the activities.
The 11 students who took part in the class were: Nathan Bauman, Julia Conny, Kristin Cross, Lola Deckerd, Dustin Elder, Brad Ferguson, Brandon Ferguson, Brandon Fisher, Jessica Gullet, Ryan Kiko and Andrea Menegay.
The training was given by Precision Genetics and Brent Baker of Genex.
