CRESTVIEW – The Crestview FFA celebrated their 56th Annual Chapter Banquet on April 11, 2019. The banquet is a time where members of the Crestview FFA Chapter can recognize their accomplishments and past members accomplishments. Since 1964, the chapter has continued this living tradition, producing four Ohio State FFA Degree recipients and three American degree recipients this year.
The night began with the FFA President, Sierra May, welcoming the members and guest that attended the banquet. Next, Andy Motter talked about the Alumni. Then, Molly Ardis, the Crestview FFA Vice President, gave the invocation for the food which was prepared by Dave Grauer and Joni Esbenshade. Dave Grauer prepared smoked brisket and pork loin while Joni Esbenshade prepared the sides and desert. Following the introduction and meal, The Student Labor Auction took place. The Student Labor Auction is where students sign up to get sold to either do four hours of labor, or to plant four flats of flowers, and the flowers are from the FFA Greenhouse. Crestview High School teacher Ms. Lederle served as auctioneer. This year the Crestview FFA Chapter made over $2,030 from the Student Labor Auction. Also the Alumni Silent Auction and pie auction made over $2,063 for scholarships.
After the meal, Student Labor Auction, pie auction and the Silent Auction, members and guests moved to the auditorium for the award ceremony. The award banquet started with the FFA opening ceremony performed by the 2018-2019 officer team. The officer team consisted of Sierra May, President; Molly Ardis and Elly Motter, Vice President; Sierra Schaffer, Secretary; Allene Watson, Treasurer; Emily Fry and Destiny, Co-Reporters; Savannah Stuart, Student Advisor; Leo Ringler, Sentinel; Kennedy Moore, Officer at large. After the opening ceremony, President Sierra May gave a speech about her time in FFA.
The first year members recognized at the banquet were the Greenhand Degree recipients. Greenhand Degrees are awarded to first year members who are considered “green” because they’re still new and inexperienced. In order to receive the Greenhand Degree, you must meet the requirements set by the National FFA Organization, be enrolled in FFA, conduct an accurate SAE project, learn the FFA creed, explain the FFA emblem, colors, and symbols, demonstrate parliamentary procedure, and turn in the Greenhand Degree application. This year 22 members received their Greenhand Degrees, they are: Anna McFarland, Brier Godsey, Casey Bentley, Colt Landis, Ellie Powell, Frankie Dinsmore, Gabe Russell, Haley Henthorn, Holly Collett, Jake Smith, Jocelynn Fyffe, Kai Rowlands, Kaylub Schell, Kylee Owens, Mason Tucker, Peyton Collins, Rylei Baker, Skylar Ramsay, Tori Thompson, Truman Snyder, Veronica Fidler, and Zoe Luteman.
The next step in the degree process is Chapter Degree. The Chapter Degree is typically awarded to students after their second or third year of membership in FFA. In order to receive the Chapter Degree members must meet the requirements set by the National FFA Association and had already received their Greenhand Degree, completed 180 hours of systematic schooling in agricultural education, participated in the planning and conduction of at least three FFA activities in the FFA program of activities, and must have productively earned and invested $150 in their SAE. Further requirements include; effectively run a 15 minute class discussion, demonstrate five abilities of parliamentary procedure, have a satisfying academic record, and submit the Chapter Degree application. This year 22 members received their Chapter Degree. The Chapter Degree recipients this year were: Alivia Barber, Andrew Bright, Arianna Tackett, Austin Hendrix, Austin Barcroft, Brandie Hill, Breannah Roberts, Carson Ringler, Catherine Fussner, Chely Holzworth, Collin Glaze, Destiny LaFever, Grayson Littleton, Jessica Brown, Kataria Fidler, Kenndi Smith, Kennedy Moore, Leighla Gray, Mariah Maynard, Olivia Amert, Patty Whitt, and Payton Eichelberger.
Only two percent of all FFA members receive the next step in the Degree process. This step is the State Degree, in order to receive the State Degree the applicant must fulfill the requirements set by the National FFA organization. Also recipients must have produced, earned and invested more than $1,000 and have $3,000 of gross income or worked 1,000 hours of job placement. Furthermore, members must have participated in numerous FFA activities and leadership development activities. Also members must participate in community service. Recipients of The State Degree will receive their award at State Convention in Columbus, Ohio on May 3rd. This year four members earned their State Degree. Recipients included; Elly Motter, Leo Ringler, Sierra Schaffer, and Allene Watson.
Following the State Degree award, the Chapter announced that they added three names to the ever growing list of American Degrees. This American Degree is the highest degree that an FFA member can obtain. In order to get this degree the members must fulfill the requirements set by the National FFA organization and requires an outstanding amount of hardwork and dedication to the Chapter. The three recipients of this award are Justin Bond, Kathy Lehman, and Jay Oswalt.
Next was CDE recognition. Career Development Events are competitive activities that allow students to use knowledge learned in classroom to real life situations, and explore opportunities in agriculture. This year the Crestview FFA Chapter recognized members and teams that placed top 20 percent at the district level, as well as State and National contest participants. This year our Chapter had an outstanding Rural Soils team that consisted of Sierra Schaffer, Sierra May, Arianna Tackett, Allene Watson, and Kennedy Moore. They placed 8th at the districts soil competition. Last winter the chapter participated in a parliamentary procedure contest. This team placed 1st at sub districts and 5th at districts. Also this year we had three people compete in public speaking Skylar Ramsay participated in sub-districts creed contest and took fifth in her room. Sierra Schaffer also participated in sub-districts for advanced prepared placing sixth in her room. Sierra May participated in sub-districts extemporaneous contest and took 1st at sub-districts, 2nd at districts, and 6th at state. We also had a general livestock judging team and a dairy foods team that participated in two invationals and then the state competition. We also had two people participate in job interview CDE they included Ellie Powell and Sierra Schaffer. This year we also had two members go out of their comfort zone and compete in the agriscience fair. These individuals include Ellie Powell and Frankie Dinsmore.
Following CDE recognition was Proficiency Awards. This year the Crestview FFA is pleased to have the opportunity to recognize one Ohio FFA proficiency finalist. This finalist will compete at the state convention to be recognized as having the best SAE project in their proficiency area. The proficiency award is awarded to members who through their SAE’s have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. This years proficiency finalist is Kathy Lehman in Beef production-Entrepreneurship.
After Proficiency Awards, the Chapter recognized Star Greenhand and Star Chapter Farmer award. To be a Star Greenhand, you must have good attitude, exhibit outstanding leadership skills, and be willing to go above and beyond everyday expectations. This years Star Greenhands went to Rylie Baker, Zoe Lutman, and Ellie Powell.
The Star Chapter Farmer Award is presented to a second year Ag student who has demonstrated strong work ethic and has a developed SAE project. Recipients must also be an active part in our chapter’s activities, and maintain a positive attitude as they continue to develop leadership skills. This years Star Chapter Farmer Award was presented to Olivia Amert, Austin Barcroft, Jessica Brown, Destiny LaFever, and Carson Ringler.
The Outstanding Committee Chair was presented next. The Outstanding Committee Chair is given to the chairperson who showed excellence in their efforts to complete their committee duties and best represent the Crestview FFA. This years Outstanding Committee Chair was presented to Austin Barcroft.
Following Outstanding Committee Chair was Outstanding Sales. Outstanding Sales is awarded to members who raise the largest amount of funds for the Crestview FFA by participating in the chapter’s multiple fundraisers throughout the year. This year the Outstanding Sales award was presented to Elly Motter.
Next was Outstanding Juniors. Outstanding Junior Award goes to members who go above and beyond demonstrating hard work and leadership in the FFA program. There were six juniors who were presented with Outstanding Junior Award, all are hard working and display the qualities that all FFA members strive to process. This years Outstanding Junior Award was presented to Sierra May, Sierra Schaffer, Leo Ringler, Allene Watson, Emily Fry, and Elly Motter.
Then Outstanding Senior was presented to three seniors who demonstrate strong student leadership, dedication, and hard work to keep the Chapter successful. Each senior has made a positive impact on the Crestview FFA Chapter by using good character, leadership, and involvement to continue to improve the Chapter. Outstanding Senior Award was presented to Cailyn Rogers, Savannah Stuart, and Molly Ardis.
Following the Outstanding Senior Award, The Crestview FFA Alumni awarded one senior the Alumni Scholarship with the Living Legacy Fund. The Crestview FFA began the Living Legacy Fund in 2001 throughout generous donations and fundraisers. The following senior was awarded The Living Legacy Award: Savannah Stuart.
Next Sierra Schaffer and Sierra May presented the Honorary Chapter Degree. Honorary Chapter Degree recipients are chosen by the chapter at a regular business meeting by majority vote. The honorary members are individuals who have been nominated for helping the chapter expand, grow, and succeed in the past several years. The chapter could not have obtained its many accomplishments without the support of these Honorary Chapter Degree recipients. The recipients of the Honorary Chapter Degree were Joel Albright and Ben and Lauren Smith. They have been a vital part of the growth of our chapter over the years.
Concluding the banquet was the installation of the 2019-2020 officer team. The new officers are: Sierra May, President; Sierra Schaffer and Elly Motter,Co- Vice President; Emily Fry, Secretary; Allene Watson, Treasurer; Destiny LaFever, Reporter; Grayson Littelton and Haley Henthorn, Co-Student Advisor; Austin Barcroft, Sentinel; Jessica Brown and Ellie Powell, Co-Historians; Olivia Amert and Rylie Baker, Co-Parliamentarian.
