PLYMOUTH, Ohio — Plymouth FFA held its annual FFA banquet April 16 in the Plymouth High School gymnasium with approximately 300 members, parents and supporters present.
The banquet meal was followed by a chapter slide show created by Megan Burrer and Megan Dawson.
Patrick Hord talked about the future of agriculture and the ethics of eating meat and Ohio FFA’s District 2 Vice President Ryan Roberts also spoke.
Graduating seniors were recognized. They include: Elizabeth Beck, Burrer, Dawson, Ridge Elkins, Taylor Foster, Tyler Jones, Zach Kanney, Craig Miller, Trinity Newman, Chris Parsons, Blake Picklesimer, Merle Richman, Alisha Sexton and Edie Tuttle.
The first scholarship awarded was the Abby Finnegan Memorial Scholarship awarded in her memory. Doug and Stephanie Finnegan presented the scholarship to Burrer and Foster.
Other scholarships were presented to Burrer, Foster, Kanney, Miller and Newman.
Fruit sales awards were presented to members selling $100 or more worth of fruit, barbecue sauce, meat sticks or Mennonite pantry items. The following members are received awards: first place, Adam Predieri; second place, Miller; third place, Kyle and Skyler Adams; fourth place, Mikayla Reer; and fifth place, Levi Myers.
The following individuals were recognized for being top sellers in the FFA strawberry sale: fifth place, Chance Tuttle; fourth place, Foster; third place, Myers; second place, Reer; and first place, Lexie Washburn.
The following first year members who earned the Greenhand degree are: Krysta Adams, Kyle Adams, Micaela Adams, Skyler Adams, Tiffany Adams, Trevor Arnold, Austin Barnett, Brad Beck, Austin Bisel, Grace Brown, Kyle Campbell, Autumn Castle, Amy Grube, Trevor Haymond, Emily Handshoe, Brooke Kucinic, Halei Lunceford, Tayler Patton, Calvin Redden, Robert Richman, Dylan Rowe, Jasmin Scott, Katylyn Srickland, Breanna Stumbo, Hallie Thompson, C. Tuttle, Lexi Washburn and Tyler King.
Earning the chapter degree were: Dustin Campbell, Andie Daron, Tyler Elkins, Josh Endicott, Morgan Fletcher, Burgundy Nace, Florenzie Ratliff, Reer and Edie Tuttle.
The following students earned the FFA letter for the first time: Zac Arnold, Dustin Campbell, Myers, Predieri, Hannah Shepherd, Andie Daron and Reer.
The second and third year members who received FFA letters received a bar. The following students received bars: Kanney, Miller, Foster and Burrer.
Burrer and Foster earned State FFA Degree.
The following individuals earned SAE awards: Beef Production Entrepreneurship, Shepherd; Equine Production Entrepreneurship, Myers; Goat Production Entrepreneurship: Foster; Swine Production Entrepreneurship, Morgan Baker; Fruit Production Placement, Burrer; Rabbit Production, Ratliff; Dairy Feeder Production, Miller.
The Plymouth FFA Outstanding Leader Award went to Myers.
The 2011-2012 officer team recognized its 2012 honorary member, Todd Arnold.
The chapter also recognized 2011-2012 FFA Chapter Honorary Degree recipient Leonard Felty. Felty was recognized again, as he will be the recipient of the 2012 State FFA Honorary Degree.
The chapter recognized The Shiloh Diner and owners, Mike and Gretchen Huttleston, as its first-ever honorary business. The Shiloh Diner has donated many soups to after school activities, donated multiple gift certificates for the auction and awards, along with letting the chapter use their kitchen.
The following officers were also awarded as district-award winning officers. Foster received a bronze rating for her treasurer’s book; Ratliff received a gold rating for her reporter’s book; and Reer received a silver rating for her secretary’s book.
The 2012-2013 officers were also installed at the banquet, they include: Zac Arnold, president; Skyler Adams, vice president; Reer, secretary; Myers, treasurer; Trevor Arnold, sentinel; and Shepherd, student adviser.
During closing ceremonies, Plymouth-Shiloh FFA alumni member Larry Laser took the stage to honor the Plymouth FFA chapter adviser Laura Ringler and her husband Joe.
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MARIETTA, Ohio — The Marietta FFA chapter attended the 84th Ohio State FFA Convention May 3-4.
Spencer Duckworth received his State FFA Degree.
The annual banquet was April 26 at the Washington County Career Center.
The following members met the qualifications for the Greenhand: Brittany Baker, Gregory Berg, Zachary Hearn, Katie McClead, Alle Moore, Lynn Myers, Allison Robinson, Derek Schaad, Dustin Schaad, Ronald Thrasher, Alison Wentz, Lain Weppler and Jonathan Wood.
Career Development Events (CDE’s) were recognized following the Greenhand Degree Ceremony. The chapter participated in the following CDE’s during the 2011-2012 school year: Agricultural Mechanic Skills, Animal Health, Dairy Handling, Dairy Judging, Rural Soils, Urban Soils, Tractor Trouble Shooting, General Livestock, Equine, Dog Grooming, Poultry, Forestry and Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostics.
The Agricultural and Industrial Diagnostic team took fifth in the state competitions and are top in the district. The team was made up of Spencer Duckworth and Eric Zimmer.
Dr. Jessica Smith and Donna Bennett received appreciation plaques for coaching.
The Chapter Degree is given to second-year members, who just like members who receive their Greenhand Degree, have to meet certain qualifications set forth by the chapter and the National Constitution. The following members met the qualifications and received their Chapter Degree: Shania Baker, William Doak, Ryan Hogue, Clayton Mason, Austyn McVicar, Chance Meaux, Alex Myers, Clasey Schaad, Savana Smith, Josh Westfall, Samantha Wheeler, Ashley Wilson and Breanna Wilson.
Outstanding Member awards followed the Chapter Degree Ceremony and were presented by adviser Brian Welch. Year awards were presented first: Allison Robinson, Star Greendhand; Clayton Mason, Star Chapter; Emily Mason, Third Year; and Spencer Duckworth, Fourth Year.
Top Placement Supervised Agricultural Experience went to Duckworth; Top Entrepreneurship Supervised Agricultural Experience, Austyn Mc Vicar; Attitude Award, Emily Mason; and Top Fruit Salesperson, Allison Robinson.
The night ended with the installation of newly elected officers. The following were installed into the positions they were elected to: Austyn McVicar, president; Tanner Thompson, vice president; Ashley Wilson, secretary; Shania Baker, reporter; Clasey Schaad, sentinel; Josh Westfall, treasurer; and Allison Robinson, student adviser.
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SMITHVILLE, Ohio — Twenty-one members of the Smithville FFA recently attended the 84th Ohio FFA Convention in Columbus.
The first day, students enjoyed the morning at the Columbus Zoo, and then attended the first convention session in the afternoon. During that session, the chapter was recognized for its donation to CROP to help fight world hunger.
Thursday evening the group enjoyed another convention session, then took a night tour of Ohio State University.
On Friday morning, the group attended another session of convention where three officers from the 2011-2012 school year were recognized as “gold level” officers: Ellie Kauffman, secretary; Devun Cline, treasurer; and Bre Welty, reporter. Each received a gold medal to be displayed on their FFA jacket.
Marie Arnold placed second in the state with her Agricultural Sales proficiency award. She created her own business called Arnies’ BunZ and sold cinnamon rolls. She also placed second in the Star State Agribusiness award area.
Friday evening the group attended the last session of convention and heard the retiring address from the state FFA president. The highlight of the night was when chapter members Donnie Mercer and Paul Kelbly received their State FFA Degrees.
Marie Arnold also completed her year serving the Ohio FFA as a state officer.
During the convention, chapter member Alyssa Kaufman participated in the state FFA choir and Brittany Hartzler was in the state FFA band.
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BEVERLY, Ohio — On April 28, the Fort Frye FFA rural soil judging team headed to Oklahoma for the national soil judging competition. The team placed 82nd at the competition.
The team arrived back in Ohio on Saturday night with enough time to make it to prom.
Also on May 3, some of the FFA members attended the state convention in Columbus. They attended all the sessions that they could and arrived back on Friday evening.
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JEROMESVILLE, Ohio — The Hillsdale FFA chapter attended the 84th Ohio FFA State Convention May 3-4 with 22 students. The agricultural mechanics finals competition students placed eighth in the state. Hillsdale placed ninth in the poultry CDE finals. The Greenhand quiz CDE. Megan Poynter of Hillsdale placed first individually in the state in the Greenhand quiz CDE.
The Hillsdale FFA State Degree recipients were Dex Rogers, Zane Gross, Sarah Bookman, Megan Miller and Tara Moffett. During the final session of the State convention officers for the 2012-2013 year were inducted. Sarah Bookman of Hillsdale FFA was elected vice president of Ohio FFA.
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MARSHALVILLE, Ohio — David Ault, a sales agent with Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has donated $400 to the Smithville FFA chapter. Ault was awarded this contribution money by Pioneer for his dedication to customer-focused activities throughout the year.
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SALINEVILLE, Ohio — The Southern Local FFA held its annual banquet April 19. This year’s banquet hosted 165 members and guests. This year’s honorary membership was awarded to Southern Local staff member and FFA supporter, Naomi Johnson and community member and FFA supporter Tricia Dawson.
The Star Greenhand award was given to Brock Kelm. Oustanding second year member was awarded to Billee Milhoan and third year member to Blade Exkenrode. The Star Chapter Farmer was awarded to fourth year members Adam Sevek and Dexter Witherow. New officers were also installed: Billee Milhoan, president; Steven Treadway, vice president; Chris May, secretary; Brock Kelm, treasurer; Lindsay Bonam, reporter; Blade Eckenrode, sentinel; Robert Callahan, student adviser; Jacob Davis, parliamentarian.
