Boyceville FFA bestows honors at Awards Night
BOYCEVILLE – The Boyceville Future Farmers of America chapter celebrated the culmination of another successful year recently, honoring the achievements and accomplishments of its members at the annual awards program.
The Boyceville chapter recognized many of its membership as well as community members and organizations involved with FFA at its 2013 Awards Night held Sunday evening, April 14 in the Boyceville High School commons. Although freezing rain limited attendance and participation, the event was well executed as usual.
The program’s featured speaker was State FFA Section Two vice president Gabes Rabb. She is a member of the New Richmond FFA Chapter.
One of the most prestigious and meaningful honors bestowed each year is that of Honorary Chapter FFA Degree. The award is given annually to a community member(s) or organization that has provided outstanding service to the Boyceville FFA chapter. This year Spencer Smith of Spencer’s Sales was selected as the 2012-13 Honorary Chapter Degree recipient.
The 73-member chapter recognized Smith for his dedication, support, and willingness to assist the FFA by donating his business services for the annual FFA Alumni Consignment Auction and helping to make it a success. The money raised from the auction is used to send students to workshops and fund the FFA Alumni Scholarships. President Ashley McHenry presented Smith with a plaque to commemorate the honor.
In addition, the Boyceville FFA recognized three of its own members with the chapter’s three highest awards.
The Star Greenhand, which honors the most active first-year member in all phases of chapter activities, was presented to Kevin Clark. This young man attended the World Dairy Expo and placed first in the District Soil Evaluation Contest. Clark also participated in the Ag Techniques Contest and will be showing livestock at the Dunn County Fair this coming summer.
Another deserving member was honored with this year’s Star Chapter FFA Degree plaque. Michaella Hillman earned the Star Chapter FFA Degree, given annually to the most active and involved second-year member(s). Hillman has taken advantage of every opportunity to participate in a wide variety of chapter activities, according to president Ashley McHenry, who made the presentation. Hillman participated in the District Soil Evaluation Contest and sold more fruit than any other chapter member. She was also a member of the Horse Evaluation Team at UW-River Falls. Michaella’s SAE project includes taking care of animals on her family’s farm and she received an “A” in her ag class.
Advisor Glenn Knudtson presented the Outstanding Senior Award to a deserving young lady, Ashley McHenry, this year’s chapter president. The award, which is sponsored by DeKalb, is given to a fouth-year member who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership with significant dedication and achievement to agricultural programs. Knudtson cited McHenry for her dedication to participation in virtually all of the chapter’s activities including the Sectional Leadership Workshop, Spider Lake Leadership Camp, and District Speaking Contest, She also helped to organize the leaf raking project for the elderly. Ashley shows livestock at the Dunn County Fair and helped to plan and organize the annual awards night program. McHenry was presented with a $250 scholarship from Tractor Central.
Degree Winners
21 first-year FFA agricultural students earned Greenhand Degrees and bronze pins. They are: Brody Behling, Brock Swenson, Jordan Morse, Jarred Marzofka, Damion Bicknell, Jason Retzloff, Mitch Leach, Alex Lovett, Noah Wyss, Kevin Clark, Jake Lake, Sam Hellmann, Justin Schulz, Robert Bodsberg, Hunter Anderson, Jenna Beyrer, Carrie Jenkins, Abby Hayes, Cheyenne Reed, Danielle Nelson, and Hope Chovan.
To qualify for the Greenhand Award, members must be enrolled in an agricultural class, have a SAE program, know the history of the FFA and its creed, know the duties and responsibilities of a FFA member, and pass a written test. The bronze pins presented to each successful candidate bears the FFA emblem and represents hardness and endurance, qualities it is hoped will carry each member far in the FFA organization.
Chapter FFA Degrees were conferred upon 12 second-year members: Michaella Hillman, Brady Schutts, Brooklynn Blaser, Kendall Wold, Kayla Nelson, Jon Harnisch, Brett Boda, Tyler Draeger, Jake Hanson, Kennedy Hellmann, Dylan Lamm, and Tyler Stroo.
Recipients are required to have an active SAE project, have been a FFA member for two years, led a group discussion, and have participated in FFA activities. Chapter FFA Degree winners each received a silver pin and certificate.
Academic Distinction
Jared Carr and Ashley McHenry presented Chapter Scholarship Pins to those members who have maintained a grade point average of a “B” or better and have made the honor roll for two terms during the year. A number of members were recognized for having been previous recipients of a chapter Scholarship Pin as well as the current academic year. Those so honored were: Brooklynn Blaser, Kayla Nelson, Kendall Wold, Catelynn Clark, Katarina Fuerstenberg, Bryor Hellmann, Kennedy Hellmann, Michaella Kegen, April Lake, Emma Lorenz, Danielle Nelson, Shayleigh Novotney, Ashley McHenry, and Ryan Williams.
First-time Scholarship Pin recipients included: Hunter Anderson, Jenna Beyrer, Robert Bodsberg, Katelyn Kegen, Jacob Lake, Abby Lorenz, Jarred Marzofka, Brett Boda, Michaella Hillman, Dylan Lamm, Jacob McIntyre, Jonathan Erickson, Brandi Curvello, Chazz Hiben, Kurtis Marlett, and Laramie Schutts.
Top Salespeople
Each year the local chapter has fundraising activities. This year the fundraiser was the chapter’s annual fruit sale. Proceeds from the fruit sales are used in a variety of ways including the purchase of awards for the program. This year’s top salesperson award went to Michaella Hillman, Jared Carr was second, Kendall Wold finished third and Ryan Williams was fourth.
Retiring Officers
Leadership pins were presented by advisor Glenn Knudtson to all the retiring officers: Ashley McHenry, President; Shayleigh Novotney, Vice President; Catelynn Clark, Secretary; Blake Erickson, Treasurer; Ryan Williams, Sentinel; Anna Jenkins, Reporter; and Jared Carr, Parliamentarian.
Proficiency Awards
There are several areas in which members may compete in the development of specialized skills in agriculture. These proficiency awards recognize individual members for their projects in the different areas.
Proficiency award winners in the various areas are: Jake Lake, Diversified Crop Production; Jared Carr, Dairy Production Placement; Catelynn Clark, Diversified Livestock Production; Sam Hellmann, Turf Grass Management; Ashley McHenry, Home and Community Development; Anna Jenkins, Fruit and Vegetable Production; Jenna Beyrer, Equine Science; Brady Schutts, Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance; Sarah Lee, Ag Service; Katarina Fuerstenberg, Ag Sales; Carrie Jenkins, Small Animal Production; and Blake Erickson, Beef Production.
Ag Contest Awards
Several members competed in contests throughout the year.
Boyceville had 48 students compete in this year’s district soil evaluation held last October in Dunn County. The top four local individuals were: Kevin Clark (1st), Jake Lake (2nd), Wyatt Hansen (3rd), and Brody Behling (4th). Kevin Clark also placed first overall in the contest.
The Ag Techniques Contest at UW-River Falls drew several local participants. Wildlife – Brock Swenson (Superior rating); Floriculture – Ashley McHenry (Superior); Dairy Cattle – Catelynn Clark (Superior) and Kevin Clark (Good); Horse Evaluation – Jenna Beyrer (Good).
Alumni Scholarships Awarded
The Boyceville FFA Alumni awarded six seniors with $250 scholarships, the proceeds of which were raised through the annual consignment auction. Frank Retz, representing the alumni association, announced that the scholarship recipients were Ryan Williams, Blake Erickson, Josh Cormican, Ashley McHenry, Jared Carr, and Anna Jenkins.
New Officers
The installation of the new officers for the upcoming year concluded the ceremony. The 2013-14 officers are: President-Catelynn Clark; Vice President-Shayleigh Novotney; Secretary-Sarah Lee; Treasurer-Katarina Fuerstenberg; Sentinel-Kyle Draeger; Reporter-Danielle Nelson; and Parliamentarian-Jonathan Harnisch. .