FFA celebrates award winners

By Lexi MooreOn Thursday, March 23, Hills Beaver Creek High School Future Farmers of America hosted their annual awards banquet at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills.FFA president Jason Martens presided over the event.Chris Luze, an H-BC freshman, led the students in reciting the FFA creed. Sean Geodtel gave the invocation before visitors dined on a meal prepared by the Lutheran Church Women.Following the meal, Jason Hoffman narrated a slide show titled "Résumé of the Past Year." The slide show featured photos from FFA events throughout the past year.FFA members took turns informing the audience about their individual FFA projects. They presented photos, along with detailed information about cost and profits.Next, Martens presented an $850 check to both Alpha Omega Ministries and McCrossan Boys Ranch. Members from both organizations were on hand to speak to the students and express their gratitude.Officers and FFA instructor Greg DeWandel handed out the following awards:
The Honorary Chapter Farmer Award was given to Jack Paulsen of Pioneer Seeds.Officers spoke to Paulsen about his commitment to their organization.
The Placement in Ag Award went to Ron and Lori Rentschler for doing an outstanding job of getting their son, Ryan, started in agriculture.
The Leadership Award along with a $100 check was presented by DeWandel to Jason Martens.
The Rock/Nobles Beef Association Awards were presented by Jay Bakken to Aaron Esselink and Kaitlyn Bos. Each winner received $25.
The Bert Rozeboom Member Beef Award was given to Kaitlyn Bos along with a check for $35.
FFA members were given proficiency awards for their supervised farming projects. Winners are given bronze, silver or gold certificates for their efforts.No gold certificates were awarded this year.Bronze certificates for ag business and placement were given to Blake Crawford, Grant Hoogendoorn, Zach VanWesten Stacey Bush and Tom Leuthold. Senior Mitchell Leuthold was presented with a silver certificate.Beef cow/calf production bronze certificates went to Stacey Bush and Zach VanWesten. Kaityln Bos received the silver.H-BC sophomore Zach VanWesten was awarded two more bronze certificates for sheep production and hay and foreage production. Katie McGaffee earned silver for hay and 4H production.The bronze for beef feeder production was given to Josh Teune, while Brandy Klarenbeek and Aaron Esselink each received silver.A bronze certificate for soybean production was presented to sophomore Brittany Boeve.
Freshman FFA members have several fund-raisers to earn money toward the purchase of their FFA jackets. Eric Kooistra received a plaque for being the top freshman salesperson in both frozen food and fruit sales.Sophomore Kylie Schroer and freshman Cody Penning were also recognized for their outstanding fruit sales.,li>The 2006 Star Greenhand Award went to sophomore Zach VanWesten.
The 2006 Star Chapter Farmer Award went to junior Brandi Klarenbeek.The final item of business at the event was the installation ceremony of new officers. The 2005-2006 officers handed over their responsibilities and titles to a new group of officers.The 2005-2006 FFA officers-elect are President Aaron Esselink, Vice-President Thomas Leuthold, Secretary Brittany Boeve, Treasurer Brandi Klarenbeek, Reporter Lucy Larson, Sentinel Kaitlyn Bos, Historian Steve Kruger and Parliamentarian Sean Geodtel.