The annual Wilmington FFA Member Awards Banquet was held at Wilmington High School May 13 with 258 members and guests present. Before awards were presented, the attendees enjoyed a meal catered by Sodexo and the Wilmington Schools cafeteria staff.
The Greenhand Degree awards were presented to first-year agriculture students and FFA members who had attained the necessary requirements: Samantha Achtermann, Ryan Baker, Rachael Billups, Hayden Dale, Hailey Fugate, Sarah Garrison, Tiara Harris, Zachary Holmes, Sidney Johnston, Ryan Lewis, Benjamin Lopez, Elijah Mabry, Connor O’Boyle, Courtney Palmateer, Jaycob Reynolds, Ian Sellers, Emily Singleton, Kari Snyder, Johnathan Stewart, Mitchell Thatcher, Ashley Tissot, Richard Walker, Kelsie Wasson and Chasity Asher.
The Chapter Degree was presented to 11 FFA members who achieved the criteria: Ridgeden Beam, Brady Bergefurd, Lauren Davis, Doug Eastes, Dale Curtis Gauche, Amanda Milburn, Andrew Moyer, Sam Osborn, Sarah Quallen, Sydney Shumaker and Sidney Walker.
Jakob Blevins, Andrew Davis, Noah Haines, Jay Schneder and Matthew Younker were honored for having received their FFA State degree at state convention on May 6. Taylor Thatcher was awarded a WHS FFA certificate in honor of her selection for the American FFA Degree, which will be presented at National Convention November 2016.
The first awards, for top Fruit Sales during the November campaign, were presented to the three top salespeople: Johnathan Stewart, first; Mitchell Thatcher, second; and Zach Zeckser, third.
Award pins were then presented to all CDE participants. Career Development Events in which the Wilmington FFA teams were awarded: Creed Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Rural Soils, Urban Soils, Agronomy, Equine Judging, General Livestock Judging, Dairy Cattle Judging, Milk Quality and Dairy Products, Poultry, Wildlife Management, Agriculture Power Diagnostics, Agriculture Mechanics Skills and Outdoor Power and Equipment—Small Engines.
Proficiency Awards were announced by alumni member Taylor Thatcher:
Vegetable Production—Entrepreneurship, Bryant Bergefurd
Beef Production—Entrepreneurship, Noah Haines
Swine Production—Entrepreneurship, Jay Schneder
Sheep Production—Entrepreneurship, Matthew Younker
Dairy Production and Management, Sarah Quallen. She was also awarded her second-place plaque for placing second in the state in Dairy Cattle Judging this spring.
Equine Science Placement, Lauren Johns
Goat Production—Entrepreneurship, Andrew Davis
Diversified Livestock Production award, Matthew Younker for management practices in two or more livestock-related proficiency award areas.
Wildlife and Management Placement, Ridgeden Beam, who was also honored for his third-place proficiency finish at the state convention.
Mrs. Nikki Quallen presented the Chapter Star Scholar/Leaders awards. The Star Freshman Scholar-Leader was awarded to the first-year student with the highest grade-point average and achieving the highest total of points in FFA activities. Rachael Billups received the Star Scholar award based on FFA participation, as well as state competition in the Creed Speaking.
The Star Sophomore Scholar-Leader award went to Ridgeden Beam; the Star Junior Scholar-Leader was awarded to Matthew Younker; and the Star Senior Scholar-Leader award was presented to Bryant Bergefurd, with all three having the highest grade-point average and FFA participation in their respective class.
For the third year the Wilmington FFA awarded the Corporate Sponsor of the Year, presented to JD Equipment for their unprecedented support this year to the Wilmington FFA. They were so willing to provide equipment and tools for anything needed and were beneficial in helping our Agriculture and Diagnostics team compete at districts and State. JD Equipment Wilmington also hosted the District 9 Agriculture Power Diagnostics Contest.
The next award presented for the second year was The CANE Ag Award given to a Wilmington City Schools staff person who cheered the Wilmington FFA team and showed exceptional interest in the FFA program. This year the award was presented to Jeannette Peters who helped us keep our finances in line with requirements. She is so patient with us and is always more than happy to assist us.
The Honorary Chapter Member awards were presented to the Tom Thatcher Family, and to Cheryl Thatcher who willingly give their time to help all our FFA members in so many ways.
The Senior Recognition with their parents is always a highlight of the evening. It is also a time to look back and reflect on the last four years of their lives.
Door prizes, as well as silent auction items, were announced, and the banquet was concluded by the induction of the 2016-2017 FFA officers: President Matthew Younker, Vice President Sarah Quallen, Secretary Rachael Billups, Treasurer Mitchell Thatcher, News Reporter Amanda Milburn, Student Advisor Porter Pagett and Sentinel Sam Osborn.
The meeting was adjourned and concluded with Sydney Johnston singing the National Anthem and all members and guests reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
