EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Hannah McNaull, Ashland FFA reporter.
ASHLAND — The Ashland FFA Chapter had an amazing turnout for its 2024-2025 banquet on April 5.
For the first time the chapter was able to hold a dinner before the program and had it catered by South Street Grill.
Thank you to Centarra Co-op, Spring Oaks Cattle, and the Keiser family for sponsoring dinner and for the generous donations given at the event.
During the program, the chapter recognized all CDE (Career Development Event) and LDE (Leadership Development Event) participants, honorary chapter degrees, leadership awards, gold ratings, seniors, and watched the year in review video.Â
The Honorary Chapter Degree is awarded to individuals who have provided exceptional service at a local level to agriculture, agricultural education, or FFA. Members are greatly supported by the administration of both the Ashland City Schools and the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center.Â
This year’s Honorary Chapter Degrees were presented to Stephen Paramore, Rod Cheyney and Josh Packard.
Leadership awards are given to students who show exceptional hard work and skill in the FFA. This year’s Leadership Award recipients were:
Star Discovery-Mallory Betson
Top Eighth Grader-Finnegan Burras
Star Greenhand-Sydney Spellman
Top Freshman-Hannah McNaull
Star Chapter-Emily Coffman
Top Sophomore-Emma Martin
Star Farmer-Haley McNaull
Top Junior-Nick Cartwright
Dekalb Award-Ava Mahoney
Top Senior-Sage Runion
2024-2025 Chapter Reporter, Sydney Spellman was recognized for her Gold-Rated Reporter’s Book.
Sydney will receive her award at the Ohio FFA State Convention on Friday, May 2. Enrolled in the program this year there were 22 seniors who were recognized at the banquet. The chapter wishes them success in their future endeavors.
Attendees were then inspired by chapter president Ava Mahoney’s retiring address encouraging us to persevere through life’s challenges, while thanking those who have made lasting impacts in our lives.
All Ava’s years of leadership have blessed the chapter.
Finally, Ava Mahoney installed the 2025-2026 Ashland FFA Chapter Officers before the dessert reception. Congratulations to:
President- Haley McNaull
Vice President- Nick Cartwright
Student Advisor- Noah Sobish
Secretary- Emma Martin
Assistant Secretary- Jada Reynolds
Treasurer- Sydney Spellman
Assistant Treasurer- Dominic Smith
Reporter- Hannah McNaull
Assistant Reporter- Emily Coffman
Sentinel- Oliver Harpster
Chaplain- Allie Heckmaan
Parliamentarian- Thomas O’Toole
Facilities Manager- Brandon Keiser
Historian- Ryan Eberling
Career Center Liaison- Austin Collins
They are looking forward to a great year of accomplishment, leadership and success.
Thank you to advisors Tod Fox and Emily Harding for their support this past year. Special thanks to volunteers:Â Mary Cox, Julie McNaull, Amanda Spellman, and Megan Holland for helping with set-up and making everything look beautiful.
The Ashland FFA is thankful for all supporters.