Members of the Wawasee FFA Chapter were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments during the annual banquet. Those members receiving chapter awards are shown. Seated in front, from left, are Justin Beer, Chapter Star Greenhand Award; Molly Knafel, Discovery Degree Pin recipient; Madelyn Zimmerman, Chapter Star Farmer Award; Matt Rhodes, Junior Leadership and Advisor’s Awards; and Paul Lovellette, Sophomore Leadership Award.
In back are Clara Hardy, Agriculture Education Scholarship and outgoing president; Reagon Dailey, Chore-Time Brock Senior Leadership Scholarship; Evan Coblentz, Chapter Star in Agribusiness and Blue and Gold Award; Alexix Matney, DeKalb Accomplishment Award; Ella Mae Reiff, Freshman Leadership Award; and Arrington Krull, Chapter Star Discovery.

SYRACUSE — The annual Wawasee FFA Banquet celebrates the success of its membership for the past year and recognizes members of the community who have supported the chapter through time, efforts and donations.

The banquet was held Thursday, April 19, at Wawasee High School with 35 members and 240 guests attending.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to Betsy Paseka, Russell and Mary Anderson, Jim and Nancy Reiff and Steve Trump. These individuals were recognized for their various contributions of support to the chapter.

Jamie McAdams and Jon Everingham were presented the Honorary Chapter FFA degrees for their work and support of the chapter’s chicken coop project.

Chore Time Brook Inc. and Miller Poultry were presented the Distinguished Service Award for their support in the chicken coop project and encouragement of chapter members. Dennis Tucker was present representing CTB and Fred Lechlitner represented Miller Poultry.

Jim Rhodes, a Wawasee graduate in the class of 1983 and former FFA president, was this year’s FFA Alumni Honoree. Rhodes, who announced award winner resumes, spoke briefly to FFA members noting FFA shapes who they are and provides challenges in areas.

Chapter Awards

EllaMae Reiff received the Freshman Leadership Award and Matt Rhodes was recipient of the Junior Leadership Award. He also received the Advisor’s Award. Reagon Dailey was the recipient of the Chore-Time Brock Senior Leadership Scholarship.

Alexis Matney received the DeKalb Accomplishment Award and Isabel Kloss received the Chapter Star in Agriculture Placement Award.

Evan Coblentz received the Blue and Gold Award and the Chapter Star in Agribusiness Award. Arrington Krull received the Chapter Star Discovery Award and the Chapter Star Greenhand Award was presented to Justin Beer.

Madelyn Zimmerman received the Chapter Star Farmer Award and Clara Hardy received the Agriculture Education Scholarship Award. Hardy was also recognized for her year of service as the Wawasee FFA Chapter president for 2017-18.

Additional awards were presented to middle school members who received their discovery degree pins. Those members were: Charlie Krull, David Anderson, Cade Beer, Jared Beer, Jay Duncan, Braxton Hollar, Isaiah Jerne, Justin Mullet, Tegan Ross, Cameron Zimmerman, Makalya Boyne, Braydon Chatterton, Sophia Grumme, Wyatt Haab, Leina Helfers, Noah Horn, Molly Knafel, Arrington Krull, Vanessa Lantz, Dylan Tom, Jake Wilkinson and Alyssa Wylie.

Receiving Greenhand pins were: Justin Beer, Angela Drabenstott, Lilly McCulloch, Andrea Mickley, Abigail Morehead, Kiaundra Olson, Reiff and Blake Roose.

Chapter pins were presented to: Coblentz, Logan Hollar, Logan Mast, Alexis Matney, Gabe Sidwell and Ryan Zorn.

Chapter members who participated in a state career development event were awarded state pins. Those individuals included:

Soils — Justin Beer, Alexis Matney, Adam Beer, Lauren Ramirez, Logan Hollar, Jackson Templin, Emily Sabin, Austin Murphy, Cade Beer, Jared Beer, Justin Mullet, Jay Duncan, Leina Helfers and Braydon Chatterton

Horticulture — Kayla Estrada, Gynnae Hochstetler, Rhodes, Sabin, Elizabeth Dennis, Laurana Perry, Allison Saylor, Chance Raney, Jack Stove, Leina Helfers and Serena Lesko

Small Engines — Joel Nyce and Gabe Sidwell

Dairy CDE (held last spring) — Hunter Magiera, Coblentz, Hochstetler, Hollar, Estrada, Templin, Sabin and Logan Mast

Livestock CDE (held last spring) — Zimmerman

Poultry CDE (held last spring) — Dailey and Matney

Leadership — Christy Carson

SAE Proficiency Award Applications — Isabelle Kloss, veterinary science; Murphy, nursery production; Rhodes, ag mechanics repair and maintenance; Sabin, landscape manager; Elizabeth Zorn, ag education.

Ag Mechanics — Sidwell, Matney and Austin Murphy

State degrees — Zimmerman, Connor Grumme, Kloss, Rhodes, Sabin, Dailey and Matney.

The 2017-18 FFA Chapter officers presided during the meeting. Those officers were: Hardy, president; Zimmerman, vice president; Hollar, secretary; Kloss, treasurer; Estrada, reporter; Grumme, sentinel; and Sabin, student advisor.

The evening concluded with the installation of the 2018-19 chapter officers who are: Coblentz, president; Hollar, vice president; Ryan Zorn, secretary; Grumme, treasurer; Reiff, reporter; Sidwell, sentinel; and Zimmerman as student advisor.

Two special slide shows were presented during the evening. One slide show was highlights of the year featuring FFA members. The other slide show recognized corporate and award sponsors.

Wawasee Food Services Department prepared the meal with Maple Leaf Farms providing the entrees.

Shown are recipients of the annual certificates of appreciation awards, honorary chapter FFA Degree Award and the Distinguished Service Award. From left are Jon Everingham, Honorary Chapter FFA degree recipient; Betsy Paseka and Nancy and Jim Reiff appreciation award recipients; Fred Lechlitner of Miller Poultry and Dennis Tucker of Chore Time Brock, recipients of the Distinguished Service Award. (Photo by Deb Patterson)