Hiland FFA’er earns State FFA Degree

WALNUT CREEK, Ohio – The Hiland FFA Chapter celebrated a successful year at the 45th annual parent-member awards banquet May 7 at the high school.

The chapter recognized Nick Neuenschwander, son of Harold and Sue Neuenschwander, who received his State FFA Degree at the State FFA Convention.

Top awards. Jordan Miller received the Star Greenhand award, which is presented to a first-year student. Esther Mast, daughter of Gary and Diane Mast, received the Star Chapter Farmer award.

Kelly Hershberger received the Dekalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, which recognizes scholarship, leadership, and supervised agricultural programs.

The Honorary Chapter Farmer Degrees were awarded to Dan Evans, a substitute teacher for the ag department; Joe Gainey, former FFA member and second year vet student who helps with animal health contests; and Carrie Jones, Hiland English teacher who has served as proofreader and contest judge.

Outstanding Member awards went to the top five members: Esther Mast, Tiera Mobley, Ashley Miller, Jason Kurtz, and Kelly Hershberger.

Proficiency awards. Proficiency awards were presented to Curt Hershberger, agriculture mechanics repair and maintenance; Mike Bracken and Tiera Mobley, aquaculture ; Esther Mast, dairy production entrepreneurship;

Kelly Hershberger, diversified livestock production; Jason Kurtz, forage production placement; Jordan Miller, forest management and products; Jason Kurtz, home and community development; Ashley Miller, sheep production; and Kelly Hershberger and Ashley Miller, small animal care placement.

Contest winners. This year, Hiland had two district winners in the area of small animal care placement, Kelly Hershberger and Ashley Miller, both employed at the East Holmes Vet Clinic.

In job interview competition, Kelly Hershberger and Esther Mast placed first in the district and went on to state where Mast placed second and Hershberger, sixth ,in their individual categories.

Academic honors. Scholarship awards went to Brittany Yoder and Julia Zimmerly, Ag I; Esther Mast and Mike Bracken, Ag 2; Curt Hershberger and Jordan Miller, Ag Business 1; Kara Miller and Kelly Hershberger, Ag Business 2. The senior with the highest grade point average was Kara Miller.

Mike Bracken was chosen chapter king and Esther Mast was chosen chapter queen.

Kelly Hershberger was the top salesman in the fruit sale; Jordan Miller was first for calendar sales.

Officers elected for 2004-2005 were: Esther Mast, president; Curt Hershberger, vice president; Josh Sommers, treasurer; Tiera Mobley, reporter; Mike Bracken, sentinel; Jordan Miller, student adviser; and JD Miller, chaplain.