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 2017 Awards Night held Sunday evening, April 9 in the Boyceville High School commons.
This year’s featured speaker was Caleb Green, State FFA Section officer. Green is a member of the Stanley-Boyd 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 Josh Riek was selected as the 2016-17 Honorary Chapter Degree recipient.
RIEK HONORED — Josh Riek (left) was presented with this year’s Honorary Chapter FFA Degree by his daughter Madysn Riek, who was also this past year’s president. Riek was recognized for his dedication to the local chapter at the annual awards night held April 9. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
The 80-member chapter recognized Riek for his dedication, support, and willingness to assist the FFA members. Madysn Riek, chapter president, told audience members that her father had demonstrated this over the past four years by hosting field trips on the family’s farm and bringing animals for the elementary petting zoo. Riek was presented with a plaque to commemorate the honor by his daughter Madysn.
In addition, the Boyceville FFA recognized a trio of its own members with the chapter’s three highest awards.
TOP AWARD WINNERS — Three members of the Boyceville FFA received the chapter’s highest honors during the annual Awards Night held April 9. From left to right: Maggie Wyss, Star Greenhand Award; Dusty Wittmer, Star Chapter FFA Award; Madysn Riek, Outstanding Senior Award; and Glenn Knudtson, FFA Chapter Advisor. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
The Star Greenhand, which honors the most active first-year member in all phases of chapter activities, was presented to a deserving young woman – Maggie Wyss. Maggie has an active SAE project that featured showing rabbits. She participated in the District Soil Evaluation Contest, was a member of the Dairy Evaluation Team at the annual Ag Techniques Contest and sold fruit. Wyss also finished near the top of her Ag Orientation class.
Another deserving member was honored with this year’s Star Chapter FFA Degree plaque. Dusty Wittmer earned the Star Chapter FFA Degree, given annually to the most active and involved second-year member(s). Wittmer has taken advantage of every opportunity to participate in a wide variety of chapter activities, according to President Madysn Riek, who made the presentation. Riek stated that Wittmer has an SAE project that involves working at Silver Angus Farm and a tractor repair service for KC Ranch. In addition, Dusty is on the BHS honor roll and sold over $600 worth of fruit and will serve as the chapter’s new treasurer.
Advisor Glenn Knudtson presented the Outstanding Senior Award to a deserving young lady and this past year’s chapter president, Madysn Riek. The award, which is sponsored by DeKalb, is given to a fourth-year member who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership with significant dedication and achievement to agricultural programs. Knudtson said that it was a difficult choice with several deserving members in this year’s senior class but cited Riek for her dedication to participation in virtually all of the chapter’s activities and her superior leadership skills in conducting the chapter’s business.
Degree Winners
28 first-year FFA agricultural students earned Greenhand Degrees and bronze pins. They are: Noah Amoe, Morgan Andrews, Jeremy Bauer, Austin Benson, Abbie Curvello, Brianna Foer, Taylor Grambow, Dylan Hakanson, Austin Hatfield, Naomi Hillman, Megan Hintzman, Hannah Johnson, Cade Klefstad, Jordan Nelson, Hunter Nye, Rachel Prestrud, Steven Rasmussen, Amber Schlottman, Brock Schlough, Sam Sorenson, Eli Swanson, Josh Volk, Damian Walters and Maggie Wyss.
GREENHAND DEGREE RECIPIENTS — Greenhand Degrees were presented at the annual Awards Night, April 9, to first-year members that had successfully completed the requirements. Front row (L to R): Morgan Andrews, Maggie Wyss, Abbie Curvello, Rachel Prestrud, Austin Hatfield and Eli Swanson. Back row (L to R): Steven Rasmussen, Jordan Nelson, Jeremy Bauer, Hannah Johnson, Naomi Hillmann and Amber Schlottman. 21 members in all received Greenhand Degrees. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
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 20 second-year members: Jered Bartos, Hunter Belch, Josh Briese, Gage Brown, Kenny Clark, Madison Cone, Bailey Danovsky, Nick Goodell, Shawna Gove, Hunter Hitz, Kevin Kegan, Megan Krosnoski, William Link, Jarrett Link, Erick Loback, Braxton Ludtke, Trystin O’Connell, Tyler Peterson, Dusty Wittmer and Seth Wruck.
CHAPTER FFA DEGREE RECIPIENTS — 20 second-year members were honored with the successful completion of their Chapter FFA Degrees at the annual Boyceville FFA Awards Night, April 9. Front row, left to right: Jarrett Link, Braxton Ludtke, Erick Loback, Nick Goodell and Hunter Belch. Back row, from left to right: Trystin O’Connell, Dusty Wittmer, Tyler Peterson and Kenny Clark. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Recipients of the Chapter FFA Degree 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
Brad Mounce and Reyse Klatt 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: Kayla Hoff, Abigail Kegan, Luke Knudtson, William Link, Jerod Nelson, Trystin O’Connell, Madysn Riek, Mariah Schlottman, Alyssa Stuart, Katie Swenson, Emily Volker and Seth Wruck.
First-time Scholarship Pin recipients included: Trey Brinker, MaKenna Farrington, Kevin Kegan, Cade Klefstad, Bryce Larson, Nick Martin, Jordan Nelson, Tyler Peterson, Rachel Prestrud, Steven Rasmussen, Sam Retz, Amber Schottman, Brock Schlough, Eli Swanson and Maggie Wyss.
Donation
Tim Jack, District Sales Manager of Munson Seed Hybrids of Galesville, IL, presented a check for $2,106 to Knudtson for the Boyceville FFA treasury. The funds were raised from a portion of the proceeds from each bag of seed sold to Boyceville area customers.
Top Salespeople
Each year the local chapter has fundraising activities. This year the fundraiser was the chapter’s annual fruit sale which raised over $31,000. Proceeds from the fruit sales are used in a variety of ways including the purchase of awards for the program. The top salesperson award went to Sam Retz, Jerod Nelson was second, Brandon Kenefick finished third and Cody Frederick was fourth.
TOP SALESMANSHIP AWARDS were given to, from left, Cody Frederick, 4th; Brandon Kenefick, 3rd; Jerod Nelson, 2nd; and Sam Retz, 1st. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Retiring Officers
Leadership pins were presented by advisor Glenn Knudtson to all the retiring officers: Madysn Riek, president; Brad Mounce, vice president; Kayla Hoff, secretary; Reyse Klatt, treasurer; Bryce Larson, sentinel; Abigail Kegan, reporter; and Carlee Schultz, 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: Abby Kegan, Swine Production; Reyse Klatt, Beef Production; Madysn Riek, Diversified Livestock Production; Kayla Hoff, Poultry Production Proficiency; Madison Cone, Specialty Animal Production; Brandon Kenefick, Outdoor Recreation; Justin Malean, Dairy Production Placement; Trystin O’Connell, Diversified Livestock Placement; and Kenny Clark, Diversified Crop Production.
Ag Contest Awards
Several members competed in contests throughout the year.
Boyceville had 38 students compete in this year’s district soil evaluation held last October in Dunn County. Boyceville placed first overall against six other schools. The top four local individuals were: Eli Swanson (1st), Brad Mounce (2nd), Taylor Grambow (3rd) and Cade Klefstad (4th).
The Ag Techniques Contest at UW-River Falls drew several local participants (overall individual rating). Dairy Science – Braxton Ludtke (Credible), Kevin Kegan (Good), Maggie Wyss (Credible) and Kenny Clark (Good); Livestock Evaluation – Reyse Klatt (Superior), Kayla Hoff (Superior), Abby Kegan (Good) and Cooper Boesl (Good); Wildlife Management – Justin Malean (Credible), Austin Hatfield (Good), Steven Rasmussen (Good) and Luke Knudtson (Good).
Alumni Scholarships Awarded
The Boyceville FFA Alumni awarded five 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 Kayla Hoff, Abigail Kegan, Reyse Klatt, Madysn Riek and Sam Retz.
FIVE SENIORS were awarded Boyceville FFA Alumni Scholarships during the annual Awards Night held April 9. Winners of the $250 scholarships were, from left to right: Sam Retz, Kayla Hoff, Abigail Kegan, Reyse Klatt and Madysn Riek. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
New Officers
The installation of the new officers for the upcoming year concluded the ceremony. The 2017-18 officers are: President-Bryce Larson; Vice President-Kyle Holden; Secretary-Cooper Boesl; Treasurer-Dusty Wittmer; Sentinel-Kenny Clark; Reporter-Cody Frederick; and Parliamentarian-Trystin O’Connell.