Posted: 1:46 AM - Jun 08, 2010
 The Wilmington FFA Chapter 2009-10 officer team, pictured with adviser Eric Heeg are (back row, left to right) Holt Mallard, Josh Harding, Kyle Molitor, Jim Hadley, Chad McKay, (front row, from left) Kelli Hartman, Eric Heeg, Alexis Thatcher, Bexlie Beam and Heidi Florea. |
Chad McKay, former FFA President, gave his retiring speech on the true meaning of the FFA motto of Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.
Jacob Osborn recited the creed to all banquet guests. Then, awards were presented.
The four kinds of FFA degrees are the Greenhand, the Chapter, the State degree, and the American.
These members have received the Greenhand degree: Patrick Cornwell, Dericka Culberson, Zach Frazier, Brittany Hottinger, JD Hottinger, Nikita James, Austen Kessler, JT Lykins, Brittany McKenna, Sarah Milner, Jacob Osborn, Crystal Pennewitt, Ericka Pernell, Clifton Pringle, Zach Russel, Austin Schneder, Luke Viars, Levi Walker, Ashley Wright, Madi Wymer, Courtney Case, Skylar Pitzer andMatt Starkey.
Members who received the Chapter degree are Makayla Armstrong, Jensen Camp, Matt Evans, Dylan Inlow, Sarah Johnson, Hallie Jones, Sam Milner, Jenna Parker, Elizabeth Roberts, Chris Smith, Josh Smith, Alexis Thatcher, Dylan Jenkins, James Spisak, Ashley Crawford, Josh Harding, Matt Middleton, Katelyn Molitor, Jenna Nichols, Sammi Pringle, Maddie Quigley, Tyler Rhonemus, Kinsey Roberts, Zach Stern, Amber Thompson, Derek Zeckser and Jessica Rice.
The chapter recognized the 2010 State FFA degree recipients: Bexlie Beam, Heidi Florea, Kelli Hartman, and Holt Mallard.
Also, Michelle Reinsmith was recognized as she will receive the American degree at the 83rd National FFA Convention at Indianapolis in October.
Career Development Events also known as CDEs are challenging. You have to compete at several contests in order to make it to the state level. There is a wide range of career development events.
In parliamentary procedure receiving their silver pins are Chad McKay, Jim Hadley, Kelli Hartman and Bexlie Beam. Receiving their bronze pins are Alexis Thatcher, Heidi Florea, Josh Harding, Matt Starkey, Sarah Johnson and Kyle Molitor.
In rural soils judging, receiving their gold pin is Jim Hadley. Receiving silver pins are Holt Mallard, Austin McKee and Heidi Florea. In urban soils judging, receiving the silver pin is Kelli Hartman. Receiving bronze pins are Jenna Nichols, Ashley Crawford and Matt Starkey.
Shawnice Pernell earned fifth at sub-district for creed speaking. Sarah Johnson received fourth at sub-districts for beginning prepared speaking. Chad McKay received
first place at sub-district for extemporaneous speaking.
The Ag and Industrial Diagnostics team of Holt Mallard and Brent Murtland both received gold pins. They also received first place at district competition and third overall at state. The Ag Sales Team receiving silver pins are Bexlie Beam, Holt Mallard and Kelli Hartman. Sarah Johnson earned a bronze pin and was a 13th place individual at state. The team received first at district and ninth at state.
Meat judgers receiving silver pins are Heidi Florea and Heather Young. Brent Murtland received a gold pine for wildlife management judge. David Hertlein and Jenna Nichols received silver pins. In poultry judging, Jim Hadley received a trophy for four years of participation. Leah Walker received a gold pin. Jenna Parker, Josh Smith and Sarah Johnson received silver pins. Sarah Johnson earned fifth individual at state.
In agronomy judging, Chad McKay received a trophy for four years of judging. Michael Ellis and Austin McKee received gold pins. Matt Middleton and Matt Starkey, Madi Wymer and Josh Smith received bronze pins.
Bexlie Beam received a gold pin for equine judging. Josh Harding, Ashley Crawford and Alexis Thatcher earned silver pins. Leah Walker and Crystal Pennewitt received bronze pins.
Earning a gold pin in dairy cattle judging are Ashley Danku, Courtney Mullins and Heather Young.
Two seniors who received general livestock trophies are Austin Quigley and Kyle Molitor for judging four years. Jade Hipke, Kelli Hartman, J.R. Thompson, Brent Murtland and David Hertlein received gold pins. Receiving silver pins are Matt Evans, Sarah Johnson, Tyler Rhonemus, Elizabeth Roberts, Amber Thompson, Jenna Parker, Jenna Nichols, and Hallie Jones. Receiving bronze pins are JD Hottinger, Austen Kessler, Nikita James, Levi Walker, Skylar Pitzer, Luke Viars, Jacob Osborn, Zach Russell, Clifton Pringle, Madi Wymer and Austin Schneder.
Austin McKee received a silver pin in outdoor power, and with teammates Holt Mallard and Brent Murtland received bronze pins. Austin McKee received a silver pin for Ag Mechanics and with teammates Brent Murtland and Matt Starkey received bronze pins.
Fruit sale are one of the chapters biggest fundraisers. Awards go to top salespersons: first, Chad McKay with 91.5 boxes; second, Kelli Hartman with 90.5 boxes; third, Jim Hadley with 52.5 boxes; fourth, Jacob Osborn with 26.5 boxes; and fifth, Matt Middleton with 25.5 boxes.
Chapter Proficiency Awards are given to the top member in the chapter within a designated area. Brent Murtland received first in sheep production. Kyle Molitor got first in beef production, as well as in entrepreneurship. Jim Hadley was first in poultry production. Bexlie Beam was first in diversified animal production. Holt Mallard received first in Ag sales and service. Sarah Johnson was first in Ag processing. Heidi Florea received a first place in oil crop production, cereal grain production and diversified crop production. Matt Carey was first in turfgrass management. Austin McKee was first in home improvement. Kelli Hartman was first in placement.
Chapter Scholar Awards are given to the top 25 percent in each grade and an overall top scholar receives a plaque. Among freshmen, the scholars are Dericka Culberson, Nikita James, Brittany McKenna, Sarah Milner, Jacob Osborn and Crystal Pennewitt. The top scholar is Crystal Pennewitt. Among sophomores, scholars are Matt Evans Josh Harding, Sarah Johnson, Jenna Nichols, Matt Starkey and Alexis Thatcher. The top scholar is Matt Starkey. Among juniors, the scholars are Kelli Hartman, Dave Hertlein, Alison McCammon, Austin McKee, Brent Murtland and Heather Young. The top scholar is Kelli Hartman. Among seniors, the scholars are Chelsea Earley, Michael Ellis, Jim Hadley, and Chad McKay, who is top scholar.
Chapter Leadership Awards go to the top 25 percent of students in each grade and an overall top scholar receives a plaque. Among freshmen, the leaders are Brittany McKenna, Jacob Osborn, Crystal Pennewitt, Austin Schneder, Ashley Wright and Madi Wymer. The top leader is Jacob Osborn. Among sophomores, the leaders are Josh Harding, Sarah Johnson, Matt Middleton, Jenna Nichols, Elizabeth Roberts and Matt Starkey. The top leader is Elizabeth Roberts. Among juniors, the leaders are Heidi Florea, Kelli Hartman, David Hertlein, Austin McKee, Brent Murtland and Heather Young. The top leader is Kelli Hartman. Among seniors, the leaders are Kari Babb, Jim Hadley, Chad McKay and Kyle Molitor. Top leader is Chad McKay.
Top member awards go to those who go over and beyond in their class. Star Greenhand is Jacob Osborn. Star Chapter Farmer is Sarah Johnson. Star Junior is Kelli Hartman. Star Senior is Chad McKay. The Honorary Chapter Farmer is Rod McKay. The Dekalb Award and The Wilmington Young Farmers Scholarship Winner were both presented to Jim Hadley. The Ryan Jobe Scholarship Winner was presented to Chad McKay.
The 2009-2010 officer team gave their retiring speech and passed each office to the 2010-2011 officer team. The newly seated officers are Kelli Hartman, president; Bexlie Beam, vice president of community development; Holt Mallard, vice president of chapter development; Heather Young, vice president of student development; Heidi Florea, secretary; Josh Harding. treasurer; Elizabeth Roberts, news reporter; Jenna Parker, Web reporter; and Matt Starkey, sentinel.