OLIVESBURG — The Crestview FFA celebrated its 57th annual Chapter Banquet on March 4.
The banquet is a time where members of the Crestview FFA can recognize their accomplishments and past members accomplishments. Since 1964, the chapter has continued this living tradition, producing seven Ohio State FFA degree recipients and four American degree recipients this year.
The night began with the FFA Historian, Ellie Powell, announcing the start of the Student Labor Auction. 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.
The flowers are from the FFA Greenhouse. Dedicated community member Arden Fitch served as auctioneer. This year the Crestview FFA Chapter made around $1,955 from the Student Labor Auction.
After the Student Labor Auction, FFA President Austin Barcroft welcomed the members and guests that attended the banquet. The award banquet then started with the FFA opening ceremony performed by the 2020-2021 officer team.
The officer team consisted of Austin Barcroft, President; Destiny LaFever, Vice President; Frankie Dinsmore, Secretary; Evan Stuart, Treasurer; Jessica LaForest, Reporter; Rylynn Baker, Student Advisor; Grayson Littleton, Sentinel; Ellie Powell, Historian; Skylar Ramsay, Parliamentarian. After the opening ceremony, President Austin Barcroft gave a speech about his 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.
To receive the Greenhand Degree, one 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 35 members received their Greenhand Degrees: Morgan Amert, Toby Amert, Scott Bourne, Shellie Bourne, Gavin Cains, Erica Calame, Corey Caudill, Baileigh Cordrey, Tarynn Eagle, Kolton Eichelberger, Dylan Franz, Trent Foley, Alivia Gallaway, Clint Hughes, Riley Hunter, Matt Kline, Zoe Metzger, Tiarra Magers, Tyler Magers, Jennifer Maynard, Aubrey McFadden, Audrey Oliver, Grant Powell, David Rowland, Preston Rumery, Emma Schneeg, Masson Sanders, Callea Shifflet, Alivia Stevens, Ben Smith, Alexandria Stollings, Leah Terry, Emily Weaver, DJ Williams, and Sam Yahney.
Chapter Degree is the next step in the degree process. The Chapter Degree is typically awarded to students after their second or third year of membership in FFA.
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 11 members received their Chapter Degree. The Chapter Degree recipients this year were: Owen Barker, Makayla Bogner, Autumn Clark, Abigail Close, Starbella Cordrey, Mariah Hamm, Sydney Keske, Makayla Spoerr, Evan Stuart, Ava Stutz, and Wyatt Watson.
Only two percent of all FFA members receive the next step in the degree process, the State Degree. 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 during the State Convention on April 19. This year seven members earned their State Degree. Recipients included; Rylynn Baker, Frankie Dinsmore, Grayson Littleton, Kylee Owens, Ellie Powell, Skylar Ramsay, and Jake Smith.
Following the State Degree award, the Chapter announced it added four 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 require an outstanding amount of hardwork and dedication to the Chapter.
The four recipients of this award are Elly Motter, Leo Ringler, Sierra Schaffer, and Allene Watson.
Next was CDE recognition. Career Development Events are competitive activities that allow students to use knowledge learned in the classroom to real life situations, and explore opportunities in agriculture.
This year the Crestview FFA Chapter recognized members and teams that placed in the top 20 percent at the district level, as well as State and National contest participants.
This year the chapter had an outstanding Rural Soils team that consisted of Austin Barcroft, Ellie Powell, Tarynn Eagle, Kylee Owens, Jake Smith, Morgan Amert, and Zoe Metzger. For this competition, They placed 6th overall at districts.
This year Crestview had 10 people place for the Rural Soils state test. Austin Barcroft, Makayla Spoerr, Jake Smith, Kylee Owens, Tarynn Eagle, Peyton Eichelberger, Frankie Dinsmore, Ben Smith, Gavin Cains, and Ellie Powell.
Also competing this year was the Urban Soils team that consisted of Rylei Baker, Starbella Cordrey, Baileigh Cordrey, Makayla Spoerr, Audrey Oliver, Masson Sanders, Carson Ringler, and Clint Hughes. This outstanding team also placed 6th overall in districts.
This year Crestview also had six people place for the Urban Soils state test. Starbella Cordrey, Baileigh Cordrey, Audrey Oliver, Grayson Littleton, Masson Sanders, and Rylei Baker.
Last winter the chapter participated in a parliamentary procedure contest. This team placed 2nd at sub districts and 4th at districts. Also this year Crestview FFA had three people compete in the job interview CDE. Audrey Oliver competed in the freshman division and placed 8th, Starbella Cordrey competed in the sophomore division and got 9th, and Ellie Powell competed in the Junior Division and placed 7th.
This year there were six people competing in the Forestry CDE competition. Starbella Cordrey, Skylar Ramsay, Owen Barker, Jake Smith, Kylee Owens, and Wyatt Watson all placed high in the competition.
In addition, four members got out of their comfort zone to compete in the Ohio Biotechnology Contest. Ellie Powell, Kylee Owens, Starbella Cordrey, and Baileigh Cordrey all did an outstanding job and placed 19th for their first time competing.
Following CDE recognition was Proficiency Awards. This year the Crestview FFA recognized three Ohio FFA proficiency finalists. 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 year’s proficiency finalists were Ellie Powell, Grayson Littleton, and Destiny LaFever.
Next, the Dignitarian Awards were presented. The Dignitarian Degree recognizes the participation and dedication of active FFA members. The following five members received the Dignitarian Degree; Nathan Spears, Jacob Adkins, Peyton Collins, Anna McFarland, and Truman Snyder.
After the Dignitarian Awards, the Chapter recognized Star Greenhand and Star Chapter Farmer award. To be a Star Greenhand, one must have a good attitude, exhibit outstanding leadership skills, and be willing to go above and beyond everyday expectations. This year’s Star Greenhand Award went to Baileigh Cordrey.
The Star Chapter Farmer Award is presented to a second year Ag student who has demonstrated a 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 year’s Star Chapter Farmer Award was presented to Makayla Spoerr and Evan Stuart.
Following Star Chapter Farmer 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 Evan Stuart, Rylynn Baker, and Jessica LaForest.
Next was Outstanding Juniors. Outstanding Junior Award goes to members who go above and beyond demonstrating hardwork and leadership in the FFA program. There were two juniors who were presented with Outstanding Junior Award, both are hard working and display the qualities that all FFA members strive to process. This year’s Outstanding Junior Award was presented to Ellie Powell and Rylynn Baker.
Then Outstanding Senior was presented to two seniors who demonstrated strong student leadership, dedication, and hard work to keep the Chapter successful. Each senior made a positive impact on the Crestview FFA Chapter by using good character, leadership, and involvement to continue to improve the Chapter. The Outstanding Senior Award was presented to Austin Barcroft and Grayson Littleton.
Following the Outstanding Senior Award, was the Four-Year Senior FFA member recognition. The chapter recognized six seniors for dedicating all four years of high school to the FFA chapter by presenting them with their FFA cord for graduation. The six seniors were Austin Barcroft, Jessica LaForest, Payton Eichelberger, Destiny LaFever, Grayson Littleton, and Carson Ringler.
Jarrod Stuart, of the Crestview FFA Alumni awarded two seniors 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 seniors were awarded The Living Legacy Award: Austin Barcroft and Destiny LaFever.
Following the Living Legacy award was 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. T
he 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 Randy Dunlap and Tom Stannard and Dave Cornish from Wellington Implement Inc. They have been a vital part of the growth of our chapter over the years, and this year especially.
Concluding the banquet was the installation of the 2021-2022 officer team. The new officers are: Skylar Ramsay, President; Evan Stuart, Vice President; Ellie Powell, Secretary; Rylynn Baker, Treasurer; Frankie Dinsmore and Peyton Collins, Co-Reporters; Erica Calame and Baileigh Cordrey, Co-Student Advisors; Makayla Spoerr, Sentinel; Jennifer Maynard, Historian; Starbella Cordrey, Parliamentarian.
