FFA SPRING BANQUET
By Tara Baker-Pender FFA Reporter
by Matthew Hansen
FFA Banquet Highlights
The Pender FFA Chapter brought a successful year to a close while also launching a new one at the annual Spring Banquet on Friday the 25th. The roughly 230 guests were welcomed by the 2007-2008 officer team, along with a short video and picture slideshow.
Every year many people and groups lend a hand to our chapter by making it possible for us to grow and help others. Certificates of appreciation were handed out to the parents of the senior members of our FFA chapter.
Fruit sales is one of the major fund raisers for the FFA. Each year the chapter recognizes its top fruit salespeople. This year’s top ten sellers were Shelby Messerlie ($601), Levi Hesse ($610), Kayci Allen ($625), Matt Hansen ($634), Brandon Kai ($755), Callie Janke ($1,053), Brant Peters ($1,131), Ben Purucker ($1,318), Robert Dunn ($1,723), and Hannah Bowder ($1,730). These members are great contributors for raising the bar.
At the banquet, four members were acknowledged who not only lent their vocal talents to the local school choir, but also shared their gifts with the Nebraska FFA Association along with the National Association at the state and national conventions earlier this year. Selected to participate in the National FFA Chorus was Hannah Bowder. She, along with three other FFA members, had the honor to sing at the 2008 Nebraska State FFA Convention. These three members are Rochelle Calderon, Kayci Allen, and Jacob Lamplot.
The top three students excelling academically in each agricultural class throughout the year were recognized. Along with grades, attendance to FFA activities was acknowledged. Members earned points by attending national, state, district, county, and local events. The top ten positions were earned by Brenn Kai, Blake Kai, Jonathan Smith, Kayci Allen, Courtney Urbanec, and Brant Wichman in the 600 range, Shandi Thomsen, Brant Peters, and Hannah Bowder in the 700 range, and Matthew Smith with 830 points, receiving a leadership pin and the Blue and Gold Award. All top points members achieved over 500 points this year.
Out of the eighteen members who applied for district proficiency awards this year, five made it to state. A proficiency award is given to members who complete an application reflecting proficient record keeping. Those who made it to state were Kayci Allen (State Silver), Shandi Thomsen (Participant), Courtney Urbanec (State Silver), Brant Peters (State Silver), and Joseph Guenther with two proficiencies (both State Bronze).
Those attending the banquet were honored by the presence of a past Pender FFA officer and last year’s Nebraska State Vice President, Jill Lander. After her motivational speech, the Teacher of the Year award was presented to Mr. Sid Ready. When students talk about a teacher that makes a difference in their lives, his name always comes up. Mr. Ready is not only innovative in the classroom, but he believes in hands on learning.
The Community Partner of the Year award was given to the business that supported our chapter through numerous ways throughout the past year. Pender Implement has given our members a great experience in the tours of their facilities for both classes and the chapter. They also bring exhibits, assistants, and t-shirts to the annual Farm Safety Day. The FFA chapter thanks them for their support and constant good luck wishes.
The Star Awards consist of Star Greenhand, Star Agricultural Placement, and Star Farmer. These awards were presented by last year’s Star Greenhand, Celsey Wichman. To earn the Star Greenhand Award, a member must be a freshmen, maintain high academic standards, have a quality SAE in one of the approved proficiency areas, and is an active leader in the FFA. This year’s winner was Callie Janke. The star in agricultural placement is given to individuals whose SAE is in an agricultural placement area. The star in agricultural placement was presented to Matthew Smith. The star farmer recipient was Brant Wichman. Brant earned this award by owning 27 cows, 19 calves, one bull, and 200 chickens. He also worked on the family farm and for Berried Treasures.
Honorary memberships were given to Matt and Kim Kai. Matt has been a guest speaker for the Ag Mechanics class and Kim has shared her expertise with the Ag Communications team along with advertising the chapter through the Pender Times. Ron and Wanda Kelly also received a membership for Wanda’s time helping the Landscape/Leadership class along with the Nursery Landscaping team. Nick and Susan Jensen have assisted with training the Ag Sales team, conducted tours of Blu-Jet, and were instrumental in organizing our first ever UCAN workshop last summer. Other honorary memberships were given to Linda Simonsen for chaperoning numerous events and to Mr. Sid Ready for his significance in the classroom and assistance to the chapter.
As one door closes, another opens—and this applies to the Pender FFA officer teams. The 2007-2008 officer team of seniors made their retirements and new, selected members were inducted. The new team consists of Brant Peters (President), Ben Purucker (Vice President), Courtney Rutar (Secretary), Tara Baker (Reporter), Dylan Kent (Treasurer), Rochelle Calderon (Parliamentarian), Jacob Lamplot (Sentinel), and Celsey Wichman (Historian). Pender FFA Chapter Advisor, Mr. Rusty Bartlett ended the officer inductions stating: “A great officer team has retired their jackets, but not their shoes. This new team does not have to fill anyone else’s shoes. They have their own to fill. I look forward to yet another great year with one of Nebraska’s premiere chapters.” The 16 senior FFA members then retired their jackets and the banquet was adjond.
Click below for a slide show.
Tara Baker
Pender FFA Reporter
