FFA News Articles

On Wednesday May 19^th the Wilmington FFA Chapter held the annual 42^nd banquet to honor members for their achievements over the past year in agricultural related areas. The members were accompanied by the friends and family and enjoyed Werner’s Pork House for dinner, while watching a slideshow of FFA events within the last year.

Chad McKay, formerly the FFA President gave his retiring speech prior before breaking for dinner. His speech was motivating and showing the true meaning of the FFA motto of “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve". Also, Jacob Osborn recited the creed to all the guests who was present at the banquet. Then, the awards were presented to all the members for the hard work and achievements.

There are four kinds of FFA degrees: the Greenhand, the Chapter, the State degree, and the American. Each degree requires work and effort to achieve.

These following members have received the Greenhand degree: Patrick Cornwell, Dericka Culberson, Zach Frazier, Brittany Hottinger, JD Hottinger, Nikita James, Austen Kessler, JT Lykins, Brittany McKenna, Sarah Milner, Jacob Osborn, Crystal Pennewitt, Ericka Pernell, Clifton Pringle, Zach Russel, Austin Schneder, Luke Viars, Levi Walker, Ashley Wright, Madi Wymer, Courtney Case, Skylar Pitzer, and Matt Starkey.

The following members received their Chapter degree: Makayla Armstrong, Jensen Camp, Matt Evans, Dylan Inlow, Sarah Johnson, Hallie Jones, Sam Milner, Jenna Parker, Elizabeth Roberts, Chris Smith, Josh Smith, Alexis Thatcher, Dylan Jenkins, James Spisak, Ashley Crawford, Josh Harding, Matt Middleton, Katelyn Molitor, Jenna Nichols, Sammi Pringle, Maddie Quigley, Tyler Rhonemus, Kinsey Roberts, Zach Stern, Amber Thompson, Derek Zeckser, and Jessica Rice.

The chapter also recognized the 2010 State FFA degree recipients: Bexlie Beam, Heidi Florea, Kelli Hartman, and Holt Mallard. Also, they recognized Michelle Reinsmith who will receive her American degree at the 83^rd National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana during October.

Career Development Events also known as CDE’s are challenging. You have to compete at several contests in order to make it to the state level. There is a wide range of career development events.

In Parliamentary Procedure receiving their silver pins are Chad McKay, Jim Hadley, Kelli Hartman, and Bexlie Beam. Receiving their bronze pins are Alexis Thatcher, Heidi Florea, Josh Harding, Matt Starkey, Sarah Johnson, and Kyle Molitor.

In rural soils judging receiving their gold pin is Jim Hadley. Receiving their silver pins are Holt Mallard, Austin McKee, and Heidi Florea. In urban soils judging receiving their silver pins is Kelli Hartman. And receiving their bronze pins are Jenna Nichols, Ashley Crawford, and Matt Starkey.

Shawnice Pernell got 5^th in sub-district for creed speaking. Sarah Johnson received 4^th at sub-districts for beginning prepared speaking. Chad McKay received an outstanding 1^st place at sub-district for extemporaneous speaking.

The Ag and Industrial Diagnostics team of Holt Mallard and Brent Murtland both received gold pins. They also received 1^st place at District Competition and a 3^rd overall at the State competition. The Ag Sales Team receiving their silver pins are Bexlie Beam, Holt Mallard, and Kelli Hartman. Sarah Johnson earned her bronze pin and was a 13^th place individual at State Competition. The team received a 1^st at Districts and a 9^th at state.

Meat judgers receiving their silver pins are Heidi Florea and Heather Young. In wildlife management judge who received his gold pin is Brent Murtland. Also, David Hertlein and Jenna Nichols received their silver pins. In poultry judging, Jim Hadley received his trophy for his 4 years of dedication. Leah Walker received her gold pin. Jenna Parker, Josh Smith and Sarah Johnson received their silver pins. Sarah Johnson earned a 5^th individual at State contest.

In agronomy judging, Chad McKay received his trophy for 4 years of dedication to judging. Michael Ellis and Austin McKee received their gold pin. Matt Middleton and Matt Starkey, Madi Wymer, and Josh Smith received their bronze pins.

Bexlie Beam received her gold pin for equine judging. Josh Harding, Ashley Crawford, and Alexis Thatcher earned their silver pins. Leah Walker and Crystal Pennewitt received their bronze pins.

The dairy cattle judging of 3 members all received their gold pins; Ashley Danku, Courtney Mullins, and Heather Young.

Two seniors who received their general livestock trophies are Austin Quigley, and Kyle Molitor, for judging for 4 years. Jade Hipke, Kelli Hartman, J.R. Thompson, Brent Murtland, and David Hertlein received their gold pins. Receiving their silver pins are Matt Evans, Sarah Johnson, Tyler Rhonemus, Elizabeth Roberts, Amber Thompson, Jenna Parker, Jenna Nichols, and Hallie Jones. Receiving their bronze pins are JD Hottinger, Austen Kessler, Nikita James, Levi Walker, Skylar Pitzer, Luke Viars, Jacob Osborn, Zach Russell, Clifton Pringle, Madi Wymer, and Austin Schneder.

Austin McKee received his silver pin in outdoor power. Along with Holt Mallard and Brent Murtland received their bronze pins. Austin McKee also received his silver pin for Ag Mechanics. Along with his teammates of Brent Murtland and Matt Starkey received their bronze pins.

Fruit sale are one of the chapters biggest fundraisers, we award the following for their outstanding fruit salespeople. 1^st- Chad McKay with 91.5 boxes, 2^nd-Kelli Hartman with 90.5 boxes, 3^rd- Jim Hadley with 52.5 boxes, 4^th-Jacob Osborn with 26.5 boxes, and 5^th-Matt Middleton with 25.5 boxes.

Chapter Proficiency Awards are given to the top member in the chapter within a designated area.

Brent Murtland received a 1^st in sheep production. Kyle Molitor got a 1^st in beef production, as well as in entrepreneurship. Jim Hadley had a 1^st in poultry production. Bexlie Beam had a 1^st in diversified animal production. Holt Mallard received a 1^st in Ag sales and service. Sarah Johnson had a 1^st in Ag processing. Heidi Florea received a 1^st place in oil crop production, cereal grain production, and diversified crop production. Matt Carey received a 1^st in turfgrass management. Austin McKee had a 1^st in Home Improvement. Kelli Hartman had a 1^st place in placement.

Chapter Scholar Awards are given to the top 25% in each grade, an overall top scholar receives a plaque. In the freshman class the scholars are Dericka Culberson, Nikita James, Brittany McKenna, Sarah Milner, Jacob Osborn, and Crystal Pennewitt. The top scholar is Crystal Pennewitt. In the sophomore class the scholars are Matt Evans Josh Harding, Sarah Johnson, Jenna Nichols, Matt Starkey, and Alexis Thatcher. The top scholar is Matt Starkey. In the junior class the scholars are Kelli Hartman, Dave Hertlein, Alison McCammon, Austin McKee, Brent Murtland, and Heather Young. The top scholar is Kelli Hartman. In the senior class the scholars are Chelsea Earley, Michael Ellis, Jim Hadley, and Chad McKay. The top scholar is Chad McKay.

Chapter Leadership Awards are given to the top 25% in each grade, an overall top scholar receives a plaque. In the freshman class the leaders are Brittany McKenna, Jacob Osborn, Crystal Pennewitt, Austin Schneder, Ashley Wright, and Madi Wymer. The top leader is Jacob Osborn. In the sophomore class the leaders are Josh Harding, Sarah Johnson, Matt Middleton, Jenna Nichols, Elizabeth Roberts, and Matt Starkey. The top leader is Elizabeth Roberts. In the junior class the leaders are Heidi Florea, Kelli Hartman, David Hertlein, Austin McKee, Brent Murtland, and Heather Young. The top leader is Kelli Hartman. In the senior class the leaders are Kari Babb, Jim Hadley, Chad McKay, and Kyle Molitor. The top leader is Chad McKay.

Top members awards are given to the members who go over and beyond in their class. Star Greenhand is Jacob Osborn. The Star Chapter Farmer is Sarah Johnson. The Star Junior is Kelli Hartman. The Star Senior is Chad McKay. The Honorary Chapter Farmer is Rod McKay. The Dekalb Award and The Wilmington Young Farmers Scholarship Winner were both presented to Jim Hadley. The Ryan Jobe Scholarship Winner was presented to Chad McKay.

The 2009-2010 officer team gave their retiring speech and passed their office on down to the 2010-2011 officer team. The newly seated officer team is Kelli Hartman as president, Bexlie Beam as Vice President of Community Development, Holt Mallard as Vice President of Chapter Development, Heather Young as Vice President of Student Development, Heidi Florea as Secretary, Josh Harding as Treasurer, Elizabeth Roberts as News Reporter, Jenna Parker as Web Reporter and Matt Starkey as Sentinel.

The Wilmington FFA Chapter would like to thank its members and families for coming out and supporting the progress and achievements.

2010-2011 OFFICER RETREAT

The 2010-2011 Wilmington FFA Officer team recently took an overnight retreat to Camp Muskingum in Northern Ohio. They attended it from July 26- July 27. In the afternoon, the officers went through a low ropes course consisting of: a tin can activity, the human spider web, the 'sinking ship', sticky snake, and a blind folding activity. These activities included have all 9 of the officers balance on a board together, trying to communicate to each other without talking to one another or being blind folded, and having to go threw a course of strings without touching them! Having to face these challenges made us closer as a team, and helped our communication skills. Later, the officer team all got together and had a meeting. During the meeting, the chapter discussed chapter and personal goals, changes that needed to be made to better the chapter, and progress towards the 2010-2011 school year. The retreat really kicked off a good start to our upcoming year on the officer team! We all had a great time, and enjoyed bonding together as a team. We hope to continue this tradition with the officer team in the upcoming years.