By Heather Ruenz
Editor
The annual Whitewater High School FFA awards banquet once again delivered a central message: the students involved, and their advisor, Paul Majors, are proud of the group’s accomplishments and are thankful for the support from parents, the FFA Alumni and the community.
Kicking off the event, held April 20 in the cafeteria at the high school, the team of officers went through the official FFA opening ceremony, followed by a welcome of those in attendance, recognition of FFA Alumni members and local businesses that support the FFA, along with a special thank you to the kitchen staff for preparing the meal.
When dinner was wrapping up, the officers – Emily Heckert, president; Courtney Frie and Anna Lucht, vice presidents; Allyson Carlson, treasurer; Megan Reynolds, secretary; Sammantha Thelan, reporter; and Matthew Lucht, sentinel – made their way around the room with trays featuring a variety of homemade desserts for guests to choose from.
Awards galore
Then it was on to the awards portion of the event.
Receiving Greenhand plaques for earning at least 10 points toward this first award, were: Sara Johnson, Jaden Pfinder, Lauren Staller, Emily Swanson and Kailey Ruhl.
Chapter Degree plaques, for those that earned a Greenhand and now earned an additional 20 points, were: Sage Babcock, Jon Brunner, Joe Creanza, Jakob Gmur, Allison Heckert, Kileigh Kincaid, Evangelina Klawitter, Hailey Lohmeier, Matthew Lucht, Caitlin Mau, Brady Meudt, Allysa Nelson, Paige Prager, Darrick Riggs, Casey Skingdingsrude, Cheyanne St. Clair, Caty Strait, Steven Witt and Celine Zahn.
Third level plaque recipients who remain active and already earned a chapter degree, were: Allyson Carlson, Jennifer Douglas, Anna Lucht, Abigail Patrick and Megan Reynolds.
Completing four years of active dedication in the Whitewater FFA, were: Courtney Frie, Lauren Hoffmann, Max Reid, Caleb Gard, Debra Krebs, David Riggs, Emily Heckert, Michael Lippens, Sammantha Thelan, David Hiebert, Kimberly Powell-Farage, Kade Vance and Kelby Hoffmann.
Star Greenhand, awarded to freshmen first year members, went to Sara Johnson and Lauren Staller; Star Chapter, second year members were awarded to Brady Meudt and Matthew Lucht; Star Junior Class Member, to those who have gone above and beyond to make the program more valuable and are very dedicated went to Allyson Carlson and Anna Lucht.
The Outstanding Senior Award (Dekalb award) according to Majors, “was not an easy decision” but in using the points system, he said, Megan Reynolds had earned the honor.
The next set of awards at the banquet went to students who excelled in the supervised occupational experience programs they’re involved in.
Those students were:
- Jakob Gmur, for turfgrass management;
- Courtney Frie, for beef production;
- Brady Meudt, for sheep production, and;
- Megan Reynolds, for swine production.
Receiving the award for Most Improved FFA Member was Jon Brunner, though Majors said several members had stepped forward this year.
The Fruit Sales Awards went to: first place – Sara Johnson, who sold more than $3,000 worth; and Cheyanne St. Clair, who came close to $2,000 in sales.
Outstanding individuals
A student in each grade and enrolled in an agriscience class are chosen for the Outstanding Individual Award, sponsored by Mike and Kari Newell of Animal Medical Center.
“For several years, Mr. and Mrs. Newell have given and this year substantially increased the amount they donated,” Majors said. “In order to actually get their check, they need to show me their thank you card for Mr. and Mrs. Newell.”
The four students chosen were: freshman Dakota Isbell; sophomore Allison Heckert; junior Abby Patrick; and senior Emily Heckert.
The following members that competed in Career Development events – at the World Dairy Expo or the district competition in Janesville, were recognized:
World Dairy Expo: (Dairy Cattle) – Courtney Frie, Darrick Riggs and Paige Prager; (Forages) – David Riggs, Max Reig, Bryce Peche and Anna Lucht; (Dairy Showmanship) – Jaden Pfinder; (Dairy Products) – Lauren Hoffman, Abby Patrick and Cheyanne St. Clair.
Janesville Judging: (Dairy Judging) – Paige Prager, Courtney Frie and Debra Krebs; (Livestock) – Emily Heckert, Brady Meudt, Sara Johnson and Megan Reynolds; (Meats) – Michael Lippens, Debra Krebs, Lauren Hoffmann and Megan Reynolds; (Creed Speaking) – Sara Johnson; (Parliamentary Procedure) – Emily Heckert, Anna Lucht, Caty Strait, David Hiebert, Sammantha Thelan, Megan Reynolds, Matthew Lucht, Lauren Hoffmann, Abby Patrick, Ally Carlson, Jakob Gmur, Lauren Staller and Brady Meudt.
Supporters honored
The Blue and Gold Award, presented by Courtney Frie, went to Tim and Rachel Keil.
Earning the Honorary Chapter Degree was Peter Underwood, for helping the FFA start a bee project.
“He helped educate us on how to maintain our hives, and he has never failed to help us when new things came up,” presenter Megan Reynolds said.
The Distinguished Service Award was presented by Emily Heckert to Chuck Nass, for the leadership he provided, “the FFA recognizes him for years of dedication to youth.”
Nass received a standing ovation from those in attendance following the announcement of the honor.
Scholarships and sponsorships
FFA Alumni president Jason Keil announced the following students as recipients of scholarships with a total of about $3,000 being awarded: Emily Heckert, David Hiebert, Kelby Hoffmann, Debra Krebs, Megan Reynolds and Courtney Frie.
Keil also recognized Taylor Chwala of the Jefferson High School FFA, saying all of the money had gone to Whitewater FFA members but Alumni members had pooled their money together. He then handed Chwala a small plastic bag filled with change.
Majors thanked the FFA Alumni for its support of students for trips, adding that in July, Caitlin Mau, Hailey Lohmeier and Jaden Pfinder will all attend the Washington Leadership Conference, courtesy of the Alumni.
State FFA degree recipients who will walk across the stage at the State FFA Convention in June are: Megan Reynolds, Anna Lucht, Courtney Frie and David Hiebert.
Families recognized
Officers introduced their parents (and some siblings) and thanked them for their support.
Allyson Carlson thanked her parents for “getting me up and everywhere I need to be. Also, my sister Katy, the main reason I’m in FFA… I’m following in your footsteps.”
Anna and Matthew Lucht’s parents were recognized twice with both of their kids thanking them for all of their support throughout the years and for setting a good example.
Sammantha Thelan thanked her family for “pushing me to be the best I can be.”
Out with the old
Retiring officers were recognized by Majors, including the following seniors: Courtney Frie, Megan Reynolds, Sammantha Thelan and Emily Heckert.
New officers announced upon the opening of sealed envelopes are: Abby Patrick, president; Matthew Lucht, vice president for student development; Jon Brunner, vice president for chapter development; Anna Lucht, secretary; Jakob Gmur, treasurer; Allyson Carlson, reporter; and Lauren Staller, sentinel.
A Powerpoint presentation featuring music and photos of the chapter’s activities throughout the year, was played for the audience, followed by a special presentation to Majors by the officers.
Among the gifts presented to Majors were: a bicycle helmet – to help him prevent his head from getting scratched; a cow – to add to his ever-growing collection; Heifer dust – Majors declined the opportunity to explain the inside joke to the crowd; an “official” doctor tie as he’s often referred to as a doctor; and finally, Saltine crackers, to the tune of “17 boxes” to replenish his stock.
The event ended with the official FFA closing ceremony.
