FFA celebrates year of successes

by SHANNON THOME

Wellington FFA

On May 9 the Wellington FFA chapter celebrated another year of memories and accomplishments during their annual awards banquet. Members and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by Old Schoolhouse Catering and welcomed by president Amanda Squire. The invocation was given by Lauren Fehlan, and the creed was recited by Michael Squire.

This year the chapter consisted of 51 active members who were recognized for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding accomplishments.

The first award to be given for the night was the Greenhand Degree. To qualify for this award, members must have been enrolled in an agricultural education class for one year, pass a written test on the history of the FFA, and have satisfactory plans for a supervised agricultural experience program. This year's Greenhand Degree recipients were: Cassie Bartos, Sam Block, Stephanie Emerick, Bryan Gardner, Shaunna Gibbs, Jacob Goebel, James Hartman, Tyler Honoshofsky, Breanna Howell, Christian Huelsman, Alec Hyde, Tyler Orsik, William Pabst, Scotty Provoznik, Jasmine Reyes, Logan Spence, Michael Squire, Shon Tamalonis, Kenny Turner, Jon Wilgor, and Anne Zacharias. All recipients worked hard and received their Greenhand pin and certificate.

Our constitution sets up minimum qualifications, which must be met before members advance to a higher degree. Students must be in the FFA for two years, have demonstrated at least five parliamentary procedure abilities, and have their Greenhand degree among other qualifications to earn the Chapter Degree. This year's Chapter Degree recipients were: Jillian Auble, Katy Derrick, Josh Dowdell, Ryan Gardner, Shea Greathouse, Mike Hicks, Amelia Jones, Gina Logar, Cody Osborne, Caleb Phillips, Chris Provoznik, Ryan Roberts, Jason Schramm, Patrick Springer, and John Zacharias. These students have all worked very hard in and out of the classroom.

Over the past year, many of the chapter's members have gained knowledge and skills through job placement. These students work between 10 and 50 hours a week while continuing to remain active in FFA, sports, and other club activities. The Wellington FFA Chapter presented each employer with a certificate of appreciation. These employers and employees are Amber Brock, Village Market; Amanda Squire, Jaloda Farms; Jeneva Auble, Knappway Jerseys; Jerrica Frye, Subway; Melissa Fuquay, Kohlhoff's; Rachel Comfort, East of Chicago; Lauren Fehlan, Fehlan Farms; Kayleigh Switzer, Switzer Performance Innovation; and Neil Switzer, Switzer Racing Enterprises. These agribusiness employers have given these students the opportunity to further their knowledge of agriculture and business through hands on learning. These students have also been able to develop valuable work ethic skills thanks to these employers.

It is always a pleasure to receive Honorary members into the FFA. The purpose of the Honorary Chapter Degree is to recognize the efforts of others made in the FFA's behalf. This year the chapter continued the tradition of presenting this award to a person or business that rendered outstanding service and has helped to advance agricultural education and the FFA. This year's recipients made a tremendous difference in the Wellington FFA Chapter on all levels. The 2008 Honorary Chapter Degree was awarded to Gloria Switzer and Marcia Smeallie. Both individuals devoted much of their time to the chapter by chaperoning various FFA field trips from CDE events to State and National Conventions.

All chapter members are required to complete an SAE project each year in the areas of crop production, animal production, or job placement. The members are then given the opportunity to compete against other FFA members at the Chapter, District, State, and National levels in their proficiency area. The following students have done an outstanding job in their respective areas: Neil Switzer, Ag Mechanics Design and Fabrication; Kayleigh Switzer, Ag Mechanics Repair & Maintenance; Lauren Fehlan, Beef Production; who also placed first in our district this year in the entrepreneurship division, second in the district in the placement division of this proficiency area, and a gold rating at the state level in both Beef Production Entrepreneurship and Placement area, Amanda Squire, Dairy; Kellie Younglas, Diversified Livestock Production; Melissa Fuquay, Equine Science; Jeneva Auble, Floriculture and Specialty Animal; Ryan Roberts, Home & Community Development; Amelia Jones, Small Animal Production and Care; Jillian Auble, Sheep Production; and Shea Greathouse, Swine Production.

The Wellington FFA Chapter participated in the Animal Health contest on April 22 and the farm business management and Ag Engineering contests on May 3.

The Animal Health CDE is designed to assess the skills and knowledge students must possess to work in an animal health occupation, such as in a veterinarian's office or in an animal research facility. The 2008 team placed 23rd in state and third in the district. Jeneva Auble, Atara Draudt, and Lauren Fehlan all received pins for their participation.

The Farm Business Management team had the opportunity to make a practical application of the knowledge and skills they have learned in the production agriculture curriculum in solving typical farm management problems. During State Convention, the 2008 team placed 38th in the state and sixth in the district. Jillian Auble, Lauren Fehlan, Shea Greathouse, and Ryan Roberts received pins for their participation.

The Ag Engineering team completed a written test to determine the students' knowledge of applied agricultural engineering technology. The 2008 team placed 49th in the state and eighth in the district. Michael Hicks, Cody Osborne, and Patrick Springer received pins for their participation.

The Equine management CDE is an educational activity designed as a practical method of teaching students current horse evaluation and selection techniques and management. Melissa Fuquay and Kenny Turner both received pins for their participation and placed 84th at the state competition.

The General Livestock team evaluates sheep, cattle, and hogs to learn how to better livestock producers and consumers by giving them practical experience in identifying and understanding characteristics that affect production and quality. This year's 2008 team placed 106th at the state competition. Tyler Orsik, Patrick Springer, and Kellie Younglas received certificates for their efforts. Amber Brock, Lauren Fehlan, Shea Greathouse, and Cody Osborne all received pins for their participation.

The purpose of the Dairy Products event is to identify different types of cheese, detect off flavors in milk, and recognize factors affecting milk quality according to industry standards. This year's team placed fourth at districts and 10th in the state. Jillian Auble, Josh Dowdell, and Ryan Roberts received pins for their participation.

The Wellington FFA Chapter participated in the Parliamentary Procedure contest this fall. This contest evaluates students' ability to participate effectively in a business meeting or other group decision-making situation. The parli team consisted of: Jeneva Auble, Rachel Comfort, Lauren Fehlan, Melissa Fuquay, Michael Hicks, Amelia Jones, Ryan Roberts, Amanda Squire, Kayleigh Switzer, and Neil Switzer. All participants received pins for their participation, a gold rating, and placed third at the sub-district contest.

In the junior level Parliamentary Procedure contest, first year members tried their hand at learning how to properly run an FFA meeting using Robert's Rules of Order. Cassie Bartos, Sam Block, Stephanie Emerick, Breanna Howell, Tyler Orsik, Jasmine Reyes, Michael Squire, and Anne Zacharias all received pins for their participation.

The Wellington FFA Chapter participated in the soils judging contest this past fall. The rural soils team evaluated four soil pits to determine the best agricultural use for the land and placed 16th in the district. Pins were awarded to Jacob Goebel, Tyler Orsik, and Michael Squire for their participation.

The Urban soils team evaluated four soil pits for the most appropriate non-farm usage of the land and placed 16th in the district. Jeneva Auble, Atara Draudt, Lauren Fehlan, and Amanda Squire all received pins for their participation.

The Forestry CDE tests a student's knowledge in areas relating to the forestry industry. Students that participated in this CDE and awarded certificates for their efforts were: Atara Draudt, Ryan Gardner, Shaunna Gibbs, Jacob Goebel, Tyler Honoshofsky, Breanna Howell, Tyler Orsik, Caleb Phillips, Chris Provoznik, Scotty Provoznik, Ryan Roberts, Patrick Springer, Kenny Turner, and John Zacharias. Jeneva Auble, Lauren Fehlan, Cody Osborne, and Jasmine Reyes were the top four individuals from the chapter and received pins for their participation. All these students had to complete a written test, identify trees and equipment, and measure trees for cord volume, board foot volume, or both. The team competed at the district contest and placed fifth.

The Job Interview contest is designed for FFA members to practice and demonstrate the skills needed in seeking employment in all areas of agriculture. Jillian Auble placed third in the sophomore division at districts, and Lauren Fehlan placed fifth in the junior division at districts. Both individuals received pins for their participation in preparing a resume, completing a job application and an interview, and then preparing a thank you letter.

The Ag Sales contest is divided into three areas: a written test, a sales presentation, and a practicum dealing with customer relations on the telephone. This year's team of Jillian Auble, Josh Dowdell, Lauren Fehlan, and Ryan Roberts placed sixth the district and received pins for their participation.

This year three members participated in the Public Speaking contest. Michael Squire placed sixth at the Sub-district creed speaking contest; Lauren Fehlan placed first at sub-district and eighth at the district extemporaneous speaking contest; and Amelia Jones placed second at the sub-district and seventh at the district in beginning prepared speaking contest. All three participants received pins for their efforts.

The Small Engines CDE evaluates students' knowledge in recognizing and repairing malfunctions in outdoor power equipment. This year's team placed eighth at districts. The team consisted of Neil Switzer, Kayleigh Switzer, and Ryan Gardner. All were awarded pins for their efforts.

The Agricultural Mechanics CDE assess students' agricultural mechanics skills by asking students to perform different skills, identifying hand tools, fasteners, seals, and bearings. The team placed eighth at districts this year. Participants that received pins for their efforts included Neil Switzer, who placed 27th individually, and Bryan Gardner who placed 30th.

This year's Tractor Trouble Shooting team consisted of Neil and Kayleigh Switzer. They were evaluated on their knowledge in recognizing and repairing malfunctions in agricultural and industrial power equipment and placed 13th in the district. Both individuals were awarded pins for their efforts.

The Scholarship award recognizes those students who have maintained good grades in school while continuing to be involved in school activities, FFA activities, and personal activities, and have also kept the highest GPA in their agricultural classes during the school year. Winners included freshman Michael Squire, sponsored by Brill-view Farms; sophomore Amelia Jones, sponsored by Betty Blair, Lorain County Commissioner; junior Lauren Fehlan, sponsored by Polen Implement, Inc.; and senior Amanda Squire, sponsored by Jaloda Farms.

A few members have gone above and beyond to help better themselves and the Chapter. The members with the third highest points were recognized as outstanding, and the second highest point students were awarded the Award of Excellence. Outstanding members included freshman Breanna Howell, sponsored by Lemke Sales Co., LLC; sophomore Jillian Auble, sponsored by Dr. Jack Coates, Chiropractor; junior Neil Switzer, sponsored by the Wellington Implement; and senior Melissa Fuquay, sponsored by LorMet Community Federal Credit Union. The Chapter Farmer Award was sponsored by Dovin Dairy Farms, LLC and was awarded to Amelia Jones. The Agribusiness Award of Excellence was sponsored by Harrison Ford Mercury and was awarded to Jeneva Auble.

The first place award point winners received the coveted Star Award sponsored by Brothers Chevrolet, Wellington Veterinary Clinic, and Fehlan Insurance Agency. Recipients were Star Greenhand Tyler Orsik, Star Chapter Farmer Ryan Roberts, and Star Agribusinessman Lauren Fehlan.

The Dekalb award is the highest agricultural honor. Amanda Squire, the daughter of Kevin and Mary Squire, received the award for excellence in academics, leadership, and agricultural work experience. Squire's significant experiences and accomplishments have included the Star Greenhand, Dairy Proficiency, State Degree, Star Agribusinessman, and the Scholarship award.

The 110 percent award is granted to those people who go above and beyond the requirements of the FFA. Rachel Comfort received this award for the numerous things she has done during the four years she was an FFA member. This award was sponsored by Ag Credit.

Concluding the evening's award ceremony was the installation of the 2008-2009 officer team. The new officer team consists of: President Lauren Fehlan, Vice President Ryan Roberts, Secretary Kayleigh Switzer, Treasurer Amelia Jones, Reporter Jillian Auble, Sentinel Neil Switzer, and Student Advisor Jeneva Auble.