FFA Banquet Held
FFA Banquet Held
by Dean Fleer
Thirty-five members and eighty-nine guests attended the Pierce FFA’s annual year-end banquet on Thursday, April 16.During the banquet the members were recognized for their awards they earned throughout the year and heard from the 2014-2015 State Vice President Ben Rice. At the end of the evening, the 2015-2016 chapter officers were elected. Sentinel Heath Lienemann started the night off by giving the invocation and released the guests to supper. Mike and Kathy Tinker catered the roast beef supper, and Tracy Carlson made desserts. President Kim Carlson served as toastmaster for the ceremony. Heath gave the evening’s welcome, and Lonnie Carlson, as father of the president, gave the response on behalf of the community.
Honorary Chapter Degrees presented
Dean Fleer started the program by presenting the honorary chapter FFA degrees to the parents of the senior members: Brian and Karla Attema, Lonnie and Tracy Carlson, Troy Fasse and Kathlene Handke, Brad and Lisa Freeman, Todd and Peggy Hintz, Tony and Diane Krueger, Dave and Beth Ann Lienemann, Craig and Sue Taylor, Mike and Kathy Tinker, Lyle and Denise Venteicher, and Faron Wickett and Brandi Minerich. These parents were honored for their continual support of their children and the FFA organization.
State FFA Officer Speaks as Keynote
Guest speaker Ben Rice is a student at the University of Lincoln Nebraska majoring in mechanized agriculture and a 2014-2015 State FFA vice president. He spoke about how nothing really ever ends in your life other than your life, and that values learned in FFA will stick with people throughout their entire life.
Chapter Awards Presented
Quentin Anderson presented the Agricultural Achievement Award to a member or officer who has been a model of high achievement in the FFA chapter. This year’s recipient was Heath Lienemman. Kim Carlson then presented the Outstanding Member award to the member who dedicated a significant amount of time to the chapter as a member. Seth Andersen was this year’s recipient.
FFA Alumni Scholarships Awarded
Alumni members Gaylen Nuesch and Adam Venteicher spoke on behalf of the FFA Alumni and presented three $1000 scholarships to Heath Lienenmann, Bailey Tinker, and Kim Carlson. They will use the money to attend the colleges of their choice.
Members Climb the Degree Ladder
Dean Fleer presented the Discovery Degrees to junior high members who filled out an application, took an Ag class, paid their membership dues, and attended one local FFA chapter activity. Carter Anderson, Nelson Emerson, Sam Kolterman, Michael Polt, and Kendra Schultz received their Discovery Degree this year.
Emily Lambrecht presented the GreenHand Degree to members who have taken one Ag class and have an SAE program in order. Amber Albrecht, Tyler Bolling, Riley Carlson, Merissa Harris, Alex Kesting, Kenyon Polt, Collin Tinker, Tyler Unseld, Ashton Wragge, and Courtney Yawn earned their GreenHand Degree this year.
Bailey Tinker presented the Chapter Degree to members who have taken two Ag classes, have a satisfactory SAE program in progress, and met the income or hour requirements for their SAE projects. This year’s Chapter Degree recipients were Seth Andersen and Quentin Anderson.
Breanna Attema presented the State FFA Degree to two senior members. In order to receive this degree, the members had to have earned their Chapter and GreenHand Degrees, be active members for at least two years, complete two years of record books over their SAE, fill out a detailed application, pass a knowledge test, and successfully interview over their SAE program. This year’s recipients were Kim Carlson and Bailey Tinker. Both members had earlier received their degrees on stage at Pinnacle Bank Arena during State Convention.
Membership Achievement Awards Presented
Bailey Tinker presented the top academic student among FFA members from each class: freshman Amber Albrecht, sophomore Quentin Anderson, junior Dean Fleer, and senior Breanna Attema. Emily Lambrecht presented the outstanding chairperson to an officer who dedicated countless hours of leadership throughout the past year. This year’s recipient was Wyatt Polt for his leadership during FFA fruit sales. Quentin Anderson presented the Golden Apple Award to Dean Fleer for selling the most FFA fruit during fruit sales. Bailey Tinker and Breanna Attema recognized the LSE, CDE, and State ribbon winners, and Heath Lienemann presented Proficiency Awards. FFA members earn points for each job done, meeting attended, and office or honor. Amber Albrecht was top freshman, Quentin Anderson was top sophomore, Emily Lambrecht was top junior, and Bailey Tinker was top senior. Bailey also received the Chapter Leadership Points award for having the highest total points, and her was put on the chapter traveling plaque in recognition of her achievement.
Helping Hands Award Presented
Emily Lambrecht presented the Helping Hand Award to members of the community who took time out of their busy schedules to help the chapter in their events. Dean Fleer recognized Mike and Kathy Tinker with the Community Service Award for always helping members by making food for the Work-a-Day Auction and the Banquet and also for chaperoning and driving the bus to State Convention. Bailey Tinker created a slide show of FFA activities throughout the year, which she presented during the banquet. The banquet ended with the retiring of jackets by the senior members and the induction of the new officer team.
New Officers Elected
To end the evening, the officers from the previous year took turns announcing the new officers for the 2015-2016 school year. The 2015-2016 officers are Wyatt Polt, president; Emily Lambrecht, vice president; Dean Fleer, secretary; Quentin Anderson, treasurer; Tyler Unseld, reporter; Deavan Gehm, parliamentarian; Collin Tinker, sentinel; and Amber Albrecht, historian. “I’m proud of our members’ achievements this year,” said advisor Jamie Stark, “and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what our students are able to accomplish in the coming years.” Thanks to the Pierce FFA Alumni, the parents of active FFA members, school faculty, community members, and local businesses for your unwavering support of the Pierce FFA Chapter.
