By: Addy Hunt, Paulding FFA Reporter
On Saturday, April 6th, 2024 the Paulding FFA chapter held its 97th Annual FFA Banquet. Several people attended the banquet including community, alumni, and staff members. There were 375 people who attended the banquet. The theme for this year’s banquet was “Glory Days In The FFA.”
Several awards were given to the community and FFA members at the banquet. Members who met the qualifications to get their Greenhand or Chapter degree received their degrees during the banquet.
We also had thirteen students recognized for getting their state degree, they will receive their certificate & pin at the State FFA Convention in May. Those members are Matthew Bail, Allison Carnahan, Anna Clemens, Makenna Dunham, Grace Goyings, Maci Kauser, Brooke Kilgore, Jalyn Klopfenstein, Jonathan Lipps, Marley Parrett, Hope Rose, Brooklyn Schlatter, and Jack Woods.
We had four students who will receive their American degree this year at the National Convention, the highest degree one can earn in FFA. These members include Paige Jones, Katie Beckman, Mason Schlatter, and Carter Manz. The Blue and Gold Award was awarded to a group of individuals this year to recognize all that they have done to help out the Paulding FFA chapter.
This year’s winners were Jim Dietz, Kim Couts, and Katie Sunday. The Honorary FFA degree was also awarded to Colten Howell this year. Any member who participated in a CDE (career development event) throughout the year received a certificate and pin for their jacket for their outstanding work.
Star awards were handed out to a select few students from each grade who showed leadership not only in the classroom but also in their community and through FFA programs and activities. Tori Schlatter and Mariah Klopfenstein received the star Greenhand, Addison Hunt and Xander Bartley received the star Chapter farmer, Jalyn Klopfenstein received the star 3rd year member, Tyler Schlatter and Jamy Hunt received the star 4th year member, Tytus Manz and Brooklyn Schlatter received the Quiet leader award, Kobe Foor received the star in Agribusiness, Brooke Kilgore received the star in Community Service, and Grace Goyings received the Ag Credit 110% award.
The Paulding FFA Alumni awarded scholarships to Jamy Hunt, Kobe Foor, Tytus Manz, Riley Stork, Maci Kauser, and Allyson Merriman for their outstanding leadership and the influence that they have made on the Paulding FFA chapter.
Chapter President, Jamy gave a very inspirational speech encouraging members to step out of their comfort zone and experience new things throughout the FFA. And finally, it was time for the installation of the new officers. The 2024-2025 officers are as follows: President-Grace Goyings, Vice president- Jalyn Klopfenstein, Secretary- Brooklyn Schlatter, Treasurer- Brooke Kilgore, Reporter- Addy Hunt, Sentinel- Tori Schlatter, Student advisor- Blake Rhonehouse, Parliamentarian- Johnathan Lipps, and Chaplin-Myrriah Manz. We want to thank everyone who attended the banquet and the community support of our FFA chapter!
