|
Advocating agriculture: FFA honors top students |
|
Friday, 12 March 2010 |
By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
Approximately 500 people attended the annual 2010 Wapakoneta FFA banquet Thursday night as several high school students walked away with plaques recognizing top honors in the agricultural organization.
Wapakoneta High School FFA advisers Chris Turner and Ron Brown distributed several awards throughout the night, with the top four all received by 2010 senior FFA officers and students most involved in all facets of the FFA program.
“It feels pretty good to receive this special award,” Nick Hager, the son of Karen and Jeff Hager, said, holding a plaque for the Star Chapter Farmer award. “It was nice that my advisers thought that much of me to give me the award out of everyone else who has worked just as hard. It’s a nice surprise.”
Earning the Star Agribusiness award was Denver Davis, the son of Diane and Alan Davis, who walked away with a state FFA degree and an award in the $1,000 Plus Club for selling more than $1,000 worth of fruit during the annual FFA fruit sale.
“Receiving these awards feels great and I’m very honored,” Davis said. “I assume I received the Star Agribusiness award for my sweet corn entry, which just goes to show that hard work can pay off. I’m sure others worked just as hard as me though, and are just as deserving — if not more —of the award.”
Sandra Springer, the daughter of Lorna and Randy Springer, earned the DeKalb Award. She also said it was nice to see all her hard work and effort pay off with the end of the year.
“It feels pretty good to be recognized and I’m honored,” Springer said. “I worked really hard and it seems like I’m always here in the FFA room making an effort to be involved and get others involved in all aspects of FFA. It’s nice to see my hard work and effort was recognized and paid off.”
Senior Amber Roesser received the Blue & Gold award as Brown recognized her as the top representative of the Wapakoneta FFA.
“This is a really big honor, and I had hoped I’d be in the running, but wasn’t sure if I’d get it or not,” the daughter of Pam and Bob Roesser said. “I don’t know what to say except I feel really honored.”
Roesser also ended up receiving three other award during the night for public speaking, earning first place in keeping her office book as the 2010 reporter and being a top seller of the FFA’s annual sausage sale.
Earning other big awards for the night was senior John Severt who received the Above and Beyond award — an award distributed by the FFA every three to four years — as Nick Fisher received the Home Improvement award for spending 70 hours renovating the front part of his barn.
The foursome of Zane Oen, Dylan Regula, Preston Metzger and Joel Etgen received the Best Shop Project award, with Kevin Schneider and Tyler Limbert receiving an award for the Best Shop Skills.
Another big honor was received by students John Craft, Nicole Brown, Katie Sawmiller, A.J. Etzkorn, Jared Melson, Nate Hager and Annie Harrod, as they all received plaques for the Star Greenhand award.
Honorary chapter FFA degrees were then distributed by Davis and Springer to FFA alumni Lucas Koenig, Dan Klosterman and Irene Davis.
Before a retiring address was given by Davis along with the announcement of new officers and closing ceremonies by 2010-2011 FFA president Alicia Klosterman.
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 15 March 2010 )
|
