On March 21, the 2019 Osceola Big Chief FFA Banquet took place at the Osceola Fair Grounds. The FFA Alumni graciously prepared the dinner for FFA members and guest that were present, as well as the Clarke County Cattlemen provided and grilled delicious ribeyes for members and guest to enjoy. The Greenhand members along with their parent’s support served the meal, made deserts, and passed out drinks to the guest, which is a tradition in the chapter. Our Vice President, Nathan Manternach, created a slideshow with pictures from our year to entertain and enlighten our guest. While dinner was being enjoyed, guest were also encouraged to look at the silent auction items that were donated by our FFA supporters in our community. Once dinner was finished, we got started with opening ceremonies and awards.
Once opening ceremonies was concluded we started off our awards with proficiency awards. An agricultural education program is made up of three integrated parts: Classroom Instruction, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Agricultural teachers assist students with developing an SAE project based on their interest and career path. Proficiency awards are given based on a member's SAE records. We awarded 9 students a proficiency award. Olivia Franklin was awarded the Rabbit Production Proficiency award. Olivia Franklin SAE focuses on raising, breeding and showing and has comminited a lot of time into budgeting and management in the area of rabbit production. Nathan Manternach received the Sheep Production Proficiency Award for his hours of commitment and dedication to his commercial sheep flock and has gained a lot of valuable skills from his SAE. Sydney Garrett received the Beef Placement Proficiency Award. Sydney feels her SAE has taught her about financial management and helped her increase her public relations skills. Devin DeVore received the Diversified Ag Production Proficiency Award. Devin’s SAE has two parts, swine production where he has learned the importance of a sound breeding program, and cattle production where he has gained many skills that he will pursue in a career in the Agricultural Industry. Carter McCann was awarded the Poultry Production Proficiency Award where Carter is currently raising 36 birds of various breeds and makes money selling eggs and shows them at the county fair. Adam Barnard received an Ag Production Placement Proficiency Award. Adam helps his father on the farm and has logged over 189 hours this past year. His best advice for farmers is to make sure you always have your phone because you will never know when you are going to need it. Colby Wilken received the Swine Placement Award where he has learned sometimes it is about experience rather than making money. Allyson Abbas was awarded the Community Improvement Proficiency. Her SAE project is canine therapy where she visits nursing home and hospitals and has focuses on helping others in all different age groups. Riley Smith received Job Placement Proficiency Award where Riley works at Fareway to gain skills such as customer service, confident public relations and salesmanship.
Once all of the Proficiency Awards were passed out, we recognized members on their hard work for earning their degrees. The following degree winner were awarded their degree pins and recognition at our Greenhand Chili Super in December, however we still wanted to recognize our member for their outstanding achievement and dedication. We had an amazing 19 student that received their Greenhand Degree and those individuals are Michael Galvez, Alivia Bakley, Ryleigh Luce, Jessinda Davenport, Hannah Wisniewski, Jackson Hoag, Shayla Hembry, Clayton Allen, Konrad Boyer, Kacey Boyer, Sophia Hicks, Kelli McAfee, Cole Pontier, Ely Crawford, Osten Blevins, Madi Sandel, Jairus Davis, Tyler Binning and Breanna Selsor. The individuals who received their Chapter Degree are Hunter Garrett, Dean Spalding, Chandler Lane, Carter McCann, Nicole Barnard, Adam Barnard and Allyson Abbas. We have 1 student that will be receiving his Iowa Degree at the State FFA Convention in April and that is Nathan Manternach.
Next was the state fair recognition where we recognized 8 member who participated and showed at the Iowa State Fair. Those hard working members were Colby Wilken, Carter Wilken, Devin DeVore, Sydney Garrett, Nathan Manternach, Kacey Boyer, Ashton Spidle, and Kaitlyn Halsband. We recognized each individual on their incredible work and showing skills.
Following the degree recognition were the results of the annual Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Sales. FFA members worked very hard to sell items and the money generated from these sale allows the chapter to send students to leadership conferences such as National and State conventions. The top sellers of the freshman class were: 1st Shayla Hembry, 2nd Breanna Selsor, and 3rd Alivia Bakley. The top sellers for the sophomore class were: 1st Carter McCann, 2nd Allyson Abbas, and 3rd Dean Spalding. The top sellers for the junior class were: 1stElayna Irving, 2nd Olivia Franklin and 3rd Devin DeVore. The top sellers for the senior class were: 1st Colby Wilken, 2ndNathan Manternach, and 3rd Riley Domina. The Osceola Big Chief FFA Chapter would like to give a huge thank you to all of the people and community members who supported the annual fundraiser. Without the diligentstudents and our supporters continued support, many of our activities our chapter does throughout the year would not be possible.
Up next on the agenda were the results of the 2019 Career Development Events (CDE), which took place in March. Career Development Events help student develop the ability to think critically communicate clearly, and perform efficiently in a competitive job market. There were thirteen team that participated in CDE’s this year which is one of the largest number of teams we have had.
· Conduct of Meetings Team- The Conduct of Meetings Team consisted of the following: President- Hannah Wisniewski, Vice President- Alivia Bakley, Secretary- Kelli McAfee, Reporter- Shayla Hembry, Treasurer- Jessinda Davenport, Sentinel- Sophia Hicks, and Advisor- Osten Blevins. These students advanced to district contest and received a silver. This team practice together learning different parliamentary laws and practicing their speaking parts. These skills will help them prepare for the future.
· Creed Speaker-This year's Creed Speaker was Kacey Boyer. Kacey received a silver at sub- districts. He memorized five paragraphs of the FFA Creed, recited it for contest, and then answered three questions.
· Secretary’s Book-This year Devin DeVore and Elayna Irving completed the Secretary's Book. For the fourth time in four years the Secretary's Book received a gold and will be advancing on to State Competition in April.
· Quiz Takers-Chapter Quiz takers were Carter McCann (who ranked in the top ten), Colby Wilken, and Riley Smith. The boys did well and advanced to Districts where they received a silver. Greenhand Quiz takers that placed at Districts were Breanna Selsor receiving 8th overall and Tyler Binning and receiving 7th overall.
· Chapter Website-This year Olivia Franklin worked hard to create a new chapter website that captures and shares all the great accomplishments of our chapter. Olivia received a silver at districts.
· Ag Sales- Elayna Irving participated in the Ag Sales contest. She created a sales presentation and then sold his product to an interviewer. She gained skills public speaking and organizational and broadened her confidence in the sales area. She received a gold at the district level and will be advancing on to the state competition in April.
· Experience the Action- This year Allyson Abbas, Katie Donaldson, Nicole, Barnard, Madi Sandel, Breanna Selsor and Hunter Garrett participated in Experience the Action where they learned how to better their public speaking skills. They did very well at districts and received a gold rating.
· Public Speaking-Sydney Garrett participated in Public Speaking where she created an eight minute speech entitled How To Use Media and Consumer Perception to Our Advantage. Sydney received a gold at both sub- districts and districts and will representing our chapter at State Convention in April.
· Extemporaneous Speaking- Jackson Hoag competed in Extemporaneous Speaking where he had thirty minutes to prepare a six minute speech. Jackson received alternate to districts.
· Ag Broadcasting- Konrad Boyer competed in Ag Broadcasting. He had thirty minutes to create a broadcast and then five minutes to present. Konrad competed really well and was an alternate to Districts.
· Job Interview-Nathan Manternach competed in Job Interview. He completed a job application, resume, and cover letter then demonstrated his skills through interacting in a mock interview. Nathan received a gold and moved on to Districts where he received a bronze/
· South Central District Officer- In February, Devin DeVore participated in District Officer Interviews and in March at District Convention, he presented a two minute speech in front of District delegates. We our honor to share Devin with the district now that Devin will serve as the 2019- 2020 South Central Secretary. Congratulation Devin.
The banquet proceeded to the Academic Achievement Award, which recognizes members for their outstanding achievements in academics during the District FFA Convention. To receive this award you must be an active senior member and have a cumulative grade point of 3.5 or higher. The senior members to receive this award were Sydney Garrett, Colby Wilken, and Nathan Manternach.
Sydney Garrett presented the 2019 Honorary Member Award. This award goes to a community members who have been extremely supportive throughout the year. Our chapter would not be as successful without this person help. They go above and beyond to help our members and chapter by serving on our Chapter’s Alumni, providing transportation, and always offering to lend a hand. This years Honorary Member is Darbi DeVore.
Each year our chapter recognizes a new member that has been an outstanding example of a young members involvement in the chapter’s activities to be Star Greenhand. This member must also have a secure SAE program that will progress them in their degree advancement. This member has pushed himself to make FFA a priority, works hard to learn new things, always willing to lend a hand and is always wearing a smile. He was the first to memorize the FFA creed, and has started a SAE record book. He participated in CDEs and was elected on this coming year’s officer team. We are proud to present Kacey Boyer as the 2019 Star Greenhand!
Following the Star Greenhand award was the Star Chapter Farmer Award. The Star Chapter Farmer Award recognizes members that have an excellent SAE project that focused on agriculture and have received their Iowa Degree. They must also show dedication to our chapter, and act as role model of strong character and academic for the younger FFA. This year’s Star Chapter Farmer Award goes to Sydney Garrett.
As the night moved along the seniors were anxious for the Scholarships. Mr. George Paul awarded the Mavin Paul Memorial Scholarship to Nathan Manternach. Mr. Darwin Downing awarded the Dennis Downing/ Robert Chaney Memorial Award to Riley Dominia . Mrs. Abbott presented the Oshel- Abbott Family Scholarship and awarded it toSydney Garrett,Nathan Manternach and Colby Wilken . Jackson Hoag awarded the Danny Palmer Family Scholarship to Colby Wilken. Sydney Garrett,Nathan Manternach and Colby Wilken were awarded the Jean Kent Scholarship which was presented by Sue Brimm. This is the first year of the Jean Kent Scholarship in memory of a wonderful lady that was a huge supporter of our chapter. Sue Brimm also presented the Alumni Scholarship to Sydney Garrett,Nathan Manternach and Colby Wilken. Congratulations seniors and we are looking forward to seeing you grow into your bright futures.
Our silent auction had a very good turn out with our supporters donating more than one hundred items to the auction. We would like to thank all of the people and businesses that donated and also everyone who participated in the auction. The money from this auction is used for various activities our chapter participates in throughout the year. These activities would not be possible without your continued support!
As annual tradition states, chapter members have the opportunity to elect a junior girl as the Osceola Big Chief FFA Chapter Sweetheart. Each individual has to be an active member throughout the National FFA Organization and be involved in activities throughout the year. As the Sweetheart, this individual will run for county fair queen, be in charge of next year’s Sweetheart election, and make the “Special Gooseberry Pie”. She will also be in charge of many other activities. The candidates for Chapter Sweetheart were Alexis Benda. Sydney Garrett was the 2016 Chapter Sweetheart and was in charge of crowning this year’s Sweetheart. The 2017 Osceola Big Chief FFA Chapter Sweetheart is Alexis Benda! Following the crowning we had the 2017 Sweetheart Pie Auction.
After the Sweetheart Pie Auction, Mrs. Boyd invited the retiring officers to the stage. Mrs. Boyd shared some heart filled words and shared stories about how each retiring officer had an impact on the chapter and the people around then while still cracking up jokes and funny stories. The retiring officers this year our Sydney Garrett, Nathan Manternach and Colby Wilken. They have all been outstanding leaders in our chapter as well as great friends. They all have bright future ahead of them and we couldn’t be happier for them.
The retiring 2018-2019 FFA Officers introduced the new 2019-2020 FFA Officers. The new 2019-2020 officers are as follows: Sentinel- Adam Barnard, Treasurer- Carter McCann, Assistant Treasurer- Kacey Boyer, Reporter- Allyson Abbas, Assistant Reporter- Olivia Franklin, Secretary- Riley Smith, Assistant Secretary-Hunter Garrett, Vice President- Elayna Irving, and President- Devin DeVore. Once the new officers were introduced Devin DeVore took his place as president and completed closing ceremonies to end the 2019 Baquet.
The 2019 Osceola Big Chief FFA Banquet was a success. The night was spent remembering the past year and recognizing individuals for their accomplishments. We would like to thank everyone for attending our banquet and supporting our chapter over the years. Your support is key to helping our chapter continue its’ success and remain a strong organization!