Article

The Hillsdale FFA Chapter recently held its annual parent-member banquet March 17 at Hillsdale High School, recognizing the FFA members’ achievements as well as honoring those who have donated time and helped the chapter in any way. The night included dinner prepared by Hillsdale cook, Kitty Runkle, a slideshow and awards presentations.

The night began with freshman members Olivia Traylor, Jackson Carpenter, Megan Schwendeman, Garrett Wickham and Wes Arnold, reciting the FFA creed. Members Alena Arnold and Alyssa Critzer sang the National Anthem. The Junior Parliamentary Procedure team was recognized for placing second in the state. Members included President Josie Rowland, Vice President Megan Schwendeman, Secretary Sarah Yeater, Treasurer Wes Arnold, Reporter Olivia Traylor, Sentinel Travis Nalley, Student Advisor Caleb Murawski, and members Lilly Bolen and Luke Ryan. These members received a photo plaque and a blue FFA banner.

Certificates of appreciation were awarded to those individuals who have helped the FFA chapter tremendously in the past year. These individuals include: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Coleman, Mr. Andy White, Mrs. Audra Schoen, Buckeye Country Creamery, Mr. Dex Rogers, Mr. Dion Bliss, Dr. and Mrs. Hoverstock, Drs. Aaron and Melissa Becker, Heffelfinger Meats, Mrs. Julie McNaull, Mrs. Mary Cox, Mr. Jason Chio, Mrs. Jody Raubenolt, Miss Madi Heller, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Hohler, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Fickes, Mr. Don Fickes, Miss Hannah  Fulk, Mrs. Erin Altenburger, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Fickes, Mr. Mike Williams, Mr. Rich Bellanco, Ms. Deana Gilmore, Mrs. Janet Mowery, Mrs. Jennifer Grissinger, Mr. Nick Atterholt, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Turk, Mrs. Abbey Hoffman, Mr. Eugene Anderson, Mrs. Linda McCoy and Mr. Joel Hulse.

The Honorary Degree is awarded to individuals who have provided exceptional service on a local level to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. They dedicated their time to hold CDE practices, team meetings, and dinner nights. They also drove FFA members to competitions, and state and national conventions. These individuals were Dave and Jody Bartter, Keith and Heidi Yeater and our advisor, Mark Hoffman.

The top three fruit sellers were awarded for their hard work. Taylor Rebman placed third selling $722; Garrett Crites placed second selling $965; and Gavin Madsen, placed first selling $1617.50. These individuals received trophies.

The Chapter’s Star Greenhand Award is a prestigious award presented every year to the chapter’s most active first-year member who has a plan for a strong supervised agricultural experience program and has demonstrated leadership within the FFA. The Star Greenhand was awarded to Caleb Murawski.

The Outstanding Member award goes to individuals who have shown leadership and dedication in the classroom. The Outstanding Members in Ag, Food, and Natural Resources were Megan Schwendeman and Thor McDonald.

The Star Chapter Degree is a prestigious award presented every year to the chapter’s most active second, third and fourth year member who has a plan for a strong supervised agricultural experience program and has demonstrated leadership within the FFA.  This year’s winner was Blayne Bartter. The Outstanding Sophomore recipient was Clay Schoen, the Outstanding Junior was Molly Moffett and the Outstanding Senior was presented to Maryellen Bliss and Libby Hohler.

Six students were awarded the Scholarship Award and a plaque given to individuals who have the highest Ag GPA. The recipients were Lucas Markley- Capstone, Dylan Killey- Mechanical Principles, Molly Moffett- Livestock Selection, Nutrition, and Management, Alena Arnold- Ag. Business, and Josie Rowland, Lilly Bolen and Megan Schwendeman- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.

The Hillsdale FFA Alumni evaluated FFA members’ record and notebooks to determine whose books were the most detailed, accurate and organized. Megan Schwendeman received outstanding record and notebook for the freshman class. The Sophomore class outstanding record book went to Clay Schoen and outstanding notebook went to Shawna Barr. In the Junior class, outstanding record book went to Hannah Way and Blayne Bartter and the outstanding notebook went to Molly Moffett. In the Senior class outstanding record book went to Libby Hohler and outstanding notebook went to Taylor Rebman. These individuals received a plaque.

The evening concluded with the induction of the new 2018-2019 officer team. President Alyssa Critzer, Vice-President Blayne Bartter, Secretary Molly Moffett, Treasurer Alex Becker, Reporter Elizabeth Derr, Parliamentarian Shawna Barr, Student Advisor Braxton Slagel, Historian Clay Schoen, Sentinel Hannah Way, Chaplain Jarrod Lifer and Student Ambassador Jacob Chio.

The Hillsdale FFA chapter would like to thank the following businesses for donating door prizes that were given to attendees of the banquet: Red Haw Supply (metal hangers), Dr. Brian Garrison, Buckeye Country Creamery, This and That Shop, and Blayne Bartter, Tim Krebs, Braxton Slagle (metal projects).