EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Plymouth FFA reporter Nicole Beverage.
PLYMOUTH — During the banquet, members were given awards and celebrated all their successes and hard work throughout the year, goodbyes were said to members who have helped the chapter achieve so much over the past five years, and the new officers for the upcoming year were installed.
To start the night, there were many delicious dinner selections, desserts and refreshments for guests to enjoy including Rader’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream.
The chapter is also celebrating 100 years of agricultural education during the 2023-2024 school year.
The chapter started small and at the time only boys could join as Shiloh High School served as the home of the first Smith-Hughes Class in Richland County.
Just as agriculture started out small with every family growing their own, over time and through dedication and investment, agriculture has grown and so has our chapter.
The chapter gave out numerous awards including most involved, top sales awards, honorary member, honorary business and other awards.
Over 50 members were identified for receiving their Discovery, Greenhand, or Chapter degree.
Not only did the members get gifts, but many alumni, parents, photographers, farm field helpers, cooks, and Career Development Event (CDEs) coaches were also recognized for their importance to the chapter.
Sarah Hoak and Walker Wallace were acknowledged for receiving their American FFA Degrees this fall at the National FFA Convention.
Sarah and Walker have both worked very hard to be able to receive the highest possible FFA degree that less than half of one percent of FFA members receive.
President Braden Montgomery gave his retiring address as he has held the president office for this past year. Braden expressed how grateful he was for gaining a lifetime of memories, new friends, experiences and expanding his knowledge.
“I have realized that sometimes the road in front of you is not the path you are meant to follow,” Braden said. “Do not fear change as it may be a gateway for greater opportunity.”
Throughout his senior year, Braden began to construct his plans for the future. He has spent his final two years of high school working towards his associates degree in Engineering at North Central State College.
He struggled to determine what he wanted for his future career until it became crystal clear. He wanted to continue his passion for FFA and agriculture by becoming an Ag teacher and FFA advisor.
This fall, Braden will be attending Wilmington College majoring in agricultural education.
The honorary Member award was given to Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Pam Hugel. They are active members of the alumni and have helped for over 20 years. The honorary business award was given to Shepherd’s Farm owned and operated by Dave and Candi Shepherd.
Shepherd Farms has helped harvest and haul our grain whenever possible. Shepherd even takes the time to speak with our classes and have his employees share the latest technology with our students.
Recipients of the Discovery Degree included, Makayla Ashby, Xavior Beveridge, Makayla Bowman, Kensley Burrer, Anna Caughenbaugh, Gwen Cave, Destiny Conklin, Nevaeh Conrad, Lucas Distl, Sienna Kennison, Kailynn Leroux, Maliyah Leroux, Carson Lewis, Erika Montry, Blake Oney, Hunter Oney, Lance Rowe, Mason Stine, Lanie Stull, Gus Sutter and Bently Taylor.
Recipients of the Greenhand Degree included, Caleb Crouse, Makayla Cunningham, Taylor Dean, Lincoln Distl, Aaliyah Grose, Kamryn Hall, Chiyo Harris, Gabe Hinkle, Gianna Hughes, Luke Kelbley, Seth Love, Kaylee Martin, Presley Martin, Isaiah Miller, Madison Montgomery, Anthony Moore, Benji Oney, Hunter Shepherd, Mya Stine, Kelsey Surgener, Dallas Thompson, Kendyll Tolbert, Ben Trimmer, Adelyn Vorhees, Ashley Watkins and Lilly Weaver.
Recipients of the Chapter Degree included, Nicole Beverage, Rylie Edwards, Morgan Follett, Rylee Gowitzka, Alyson Lewis, Miley Linstrum, Dillan Myers, Jaylen Scott, Camryn Wallace, Kristi Yeager, Blake Zidarin.
Top four fruit sellers were Nicole Beverage, Jack and Luke Kelbley, Alyson and Carson Lewis and Kristi Yeager.
Top 5 Strawberry sellers were Nicole Beverage, Aaliyah Grose, Aly and Carson Lewis, Kristi Yeager and Morgan Follett.
The 2023-2024 outstanding students included Nicole Beverage, Kristen Swingle, Katelyn Swingle, Braden Montgomery, Kailyn Leroux, Maliyah Leroux, Makyala Bowman, Luke Kelbley, Isaiah Miller, Matthew Gillum, Kyrsten Caudill, Brianna Flanagan, Kansas Huston, Ava Stine, and Zach Miller.
The winner of the 110% award sponsored by Agcredit was Katelyn Swingle.
The State Food Science Team consisting of Katelyn Swingle, Ava Stine, Braden Montgomery and Chiyo Harris, placed 5th in the state earning a banner.
Katelyn Swingle placed third in the state in Food Science earning a $3,000 college scholarship, she also placed first in the District competition for food science.
Braden Montgomery placed second in the District competition for food science. The state placing team will be receive their state banner at State FFA Convention in May.
Ava Stine received a gold rating on her secretary book, Nicole Beverage received a gold rating on her reporter’s book and Kansas Huston received a gold rating on her treasurer’s book.
They will all be walking across the stage and receiving their golden pins at State Convention.
The 2024-2025 officer team is as follows: President- Katelyn Swingle, Vice President- Kristen Swingle, Secretary- Ava Stine, Treasurer- Kansas Huston, Reporter- Nicole Beverage, Sentinel- Isaiah Miller, Student Advisor- Dallas Thompson, Historian- Matthew Gillum, and the Parliamentarian is Adelyn Vorhees.
The Plymouth-Shiloh FFA Alumni also gives out scholarships to hard-working members to help them to better afford their college tuition each year.
This year Sarah Hoak, Douglas Reer, and Haley Felty were granted $1,200 scholarships.
Sarah, Doug, and Haley have participated in many events over the years and have helped the alumni at numerous occasions.
Braden Montgomery and Olivia Balkin were awarded $700 alumni scholarships. Braden also earned a $250 scholarship from the Red Cross and the winner of the Stanley Caudill Memorial scholarship was Olivia Balkin.
These scholarships are made possible by supporters of the annual Plymouth-Shiloh FFA Alumni Tool Fundraiser which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 in Shiloh with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
The Plymouth FFA chapter and the Plymouth-Shiloh FFA Alumni would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters who helped to make everything we do possible.
We are so grateful for each of you.