On Dec. 14, many members and their families gathered at East Clinton High School to celebrate the recognition of each Discovery, Greenhand, and Chapter degree recipient.

The banquet started with a meal prepared by members of the EC Great Oaks FFA, their families, alumni, advisors, and people within the community. After everyone had finished eating, those in attendance enjoyed a slideshow of many activities, competitions, and community service that had been done within the year.

Following the slideshow, the president Sydney Beiting highlighted some of the awards and recognition that the East Clinton Great Oaks FFA had accomplished throughout the year, including the Advanced Parliamentary Procedure Team’s Competition at the “Big E,” the Dairy Teams trip to the All-American Dairy Show in Pennsylvania, all of the members who received their prestigious American FFA Degree at National Convention, and lastly the chapter being awarded a National Two-Star Ranking for last year.

Afterwards, the Novice Parliamentary Procedure Team came forward to be recognized for “never losing a competition.” Members of the team were: president Kendall DeBold, vice president Taylynn Spurlock, secretary Tessa Terrell, treasurer Aiden McQueen, reporter Samantha Woodruff, sentinel Ben Cline, student advisor Carson Carey, members Sahara Tate, Grace Wiseman, and Madi Roberts, and alternate Paiton Kidder. This team placed first in subdistricts, districts, the state test, and state prelims. They also made history as the first parliamentary procedure team from the chapter to win state finals and move on to the national level.

Following the recognition, the chapter was honored to hear from Luke Jennings, their very own 2023-24 Ohio FFA State President. Luke shared a very heartfelt and inspirational message about being proud of where you come from and who you are no matter what standards everyone else tries to hold you to.

Next, the Discovery Degree recipients came forward to receive their award. These members were: Carson Barton, Masie Beener, Colton Burgess, Morgan Carroll, Parker Dixon, Thomas Dove, Taylor Garringer, Lily Griffith, Cody Hall, Tyler Harner, Colton Knisley, Maci Lilly, Hannah Lovely, Jamison Matthews, Braxton McDaniel, Avery Miller, Bentley Miller, Ethan Moberly, Emery Pauley, Spencer Pauley, Lilly Pinkerton, Marli Pirman, Roy Riddle, Ezabelle Robinson, Aidan Samman, Xyla Scott, Kimber Seaman, Natalie Seba-Mixtega, Austin Singer, Conner Smithson, Lucas Smithson, Alanis Tagg, Tyus Tolliver, Bayden Woods, and Wyatt Zurface.

The Greenhand recipients came forward to receive their award, these members were: Taylor Brown, Ryleigh Burns, Carson Carey, Ben Cline, Kendall DeBold, Eoin Hackmann, Kyle Harp, Jamie Hauptman, Lexi Hayslip, Thomas Hood, Connor Hornschemeier, Carla Hurtado, Xavier Keller, Jesse Kessler, Paiton Kidder, Peyton Lilly, Aiden McQueen, Otto Pauley, Mason Rack, Colt Riehle, Madison Roberts, Kaiden Roth, Shane Shankweiler, Trenton Shinkle, Wade Smith, Taylynn Spurlock, Gabe Stewart, Sahara Tate, Kaylee, Kenzi, Tessa, and Tysen Terrell, Mallory Thomason, Luke Thompson, Brooklyn Vickers, Grace Wiseman, and Samantha Woodruff.

Lastly, the Chapter Degree recipients came forward to receive their award. These members were: Emily Arnold, Josi Balon, Grady Boggs, Austin Burden, Jacob Cambell, Haley Carroll, Kaylin Childers, Darien Clouse, Landen Dunn, Caylee Ferguson, Katie Fraley, Charity Haines, Carson Henry, Aubrey Hosler, Karsyn Jamison, Austin Jones, Kami Kile, Zimri Mahanes, Zaethan Maxwell, Madi Miller, Keira Null, Abigail Prater, Hudson Singer, Lane Thompson, Kyleigh Vance, and Bryce Wilson.

Congratulations to all members who received their award and were recognized.