Wawasee FFA Chapter Award recipients, in front, from left are Molly Swartz, Jamaica Ensz, Sarah Harden, Sophia Nyce and Shelby Swartz. In back, are Michael McCullouch, Austin Beer, Clara Hardy and Skyla Rodgerson

Accomplishments for the year were celebrated by Wawasee FFA members, family and guests at its annual banquet Friday evening, at Wawasee High School.

Awards were presented, corporate sponsors recognized, and scholarships awarded to FFA members.

The evening program began with 2014-15 officers arriving to the stage by riding John Deere pedal tractors down the auditorium isle with cheers and applause from FFA members and guests.

A tradition of recognizing adults in the community for their support and service to the chapter was continued with the presentation of certificates of appreciation, honorary chapter FFA degrees and distinguished service award. Sarah Hall and Pam Schumm were presented certificates of appreciation with Shawn Krull and Kelly Heckaman receiving the honorary chapter FFA degrees. The distinguished service award was presented to the Wawasee Community Schools Technology Department.

Chapter Members Recognized

A slideshow of member activities preceded the member awards presentation. Qualifying first and second year members received their Greenhand and Chapter pins, Students participating in a state career development event were awarded state pins. There were 26 members achieving this honor in the areas of small engines, agriculture issues contest, horse, soils and horticulture judging as well as their supervised agriculture experience proficiencies.

Another tradition of the chapter is having a FFA Alumni honoree read the member award winners resumes. This year’s honoree was Sam Beer, Milford.

Chapter awards were presented to the following: Clara Hardy, Freshman Leadership Award; Molly Swartz, Sophomore Leadership Award; Austin Beer, Junior Leadership Award and Chapter Star Production Agriculture Award; Sophia Nyce, Chore-Time Brock Senior Leadership Scholarship and Ray E. Darr Memorial Scholarship; Michael McCulloch, Advisor’s Award; Skyla Rodgerson, Chapter Star Greenhand Award; and Sarah Harden, Chapter Star Agribusinessman Award and Chad Beer Memorial Scholarship.

Shelby Swartz received the DeKalb Leadership Award and Blue and Gold Award; and Jamaica Ensz received the Agricluture Education Scholarship. Swartz was also recognized for her year of service as the Wawasee FFA Chapter President.

It was additionally announced Swartz and Nyce were among the recipients of the Indiana FFA Scholarship.

The 2014-15 chapter officers presided over the meeting. These officers include Swartz, president; Mason Germonprez, vice president; Jared Templin, secretary; Austin Beer, treasurer; Harden and Kevin Schlipf, reporters; and Collin Beer, sentinel.

These officers turned their duties over to the 2015-16 officers following an installation of officers. Officers for the coming year are: Austin Beer, president; Ashley Beer, vice president; Molly Swartz, secretary; Bryce Wuthrich, treasurer; Elizabeth Zorn, reporter; and Michael McCulloch, sentinel.

Following the presentation of awards, Beer presented an award of his own, the straight shooter award, to Richard Hunsberger and offered advice to senior FFA members. “A lot of you will go off to college. The games are not over. The games are just getting started. Where ever you go, whatever you do, at some point in time, I hope you all come back here. This is a good community. Wawasee FFA has turned out some real powerhouses in agriculture. Where ever you go, just remember where you came from.”