By: Vivienne Myers, Paulding FFA Reporter
On Saturday, April 6th, 2025 the Paulding FFA chapter held its 98th 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 “Country Roads take me Home.”
Several awards were given to community and FFA members at the banquet. Members who met the qualifications for Greenhand or Chapter degrees received them. We celebrated our 3rd and 4th year members with medals. We also recognized nine students who have earned their state degrees; they will receive their certificates and pins at the State FFA Convention in May. Those members include: Grady Barton, Harley Collins, Addison Hunt, Jackson Griffith, Blake Rhonehouse, Samuel Reinhard, Thad Schneider, and Kadence Thomas. In addition, we recognized six members who will be receiving their American degrees at the FFA national convention this coming fall. The American degree is the highest degree an FFA member can receive. These members included: Kobe Foor, Jamy Hunt, Tytus Manz, Allyson Merriman, Jocelynn Parrett, and Tyler Schlatter.
The Blue and Gold Award was given to three individuals to acknowledge all that they have done to help out the Paulding FFA chapter this year. This year’s winners were Ms. Carolyn Connelly, Troy Zeller, and Cathy Zeller. The Honorary FFA degree was also awarded to Michael Hunt and Farm Credit Mid-America. 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 FFA programs and activities. Kyler Foor and Delaney Johanns received the star Greenhand, Tori Schlatter and Mariah Klopfenstein received the star Chapter farmer, Jacob Harris received the star 3rd year member, Grace Goyings received the star 4th year member, Johnathan Lipps received the Quiet leader award, Myrriah Manz received the star in Community Service, and Brooklyn Schlatter received the Ag Credit 110% award. The Paulding FFA Alumni awarded scholarships of $500 to Luke Beckman, Piper Kochel, and Allison Carnahan; $1,000 awards were given to Marley Parrett, Grace Goyings, and Brooklyn Schlatter.
Chapter President, Grace Goyings, gave an inspirational speech encouraging members to step out of their comfort zone and try to gain more experiences in the FFA. Finally, it was time for the installation of the new officers. The 2025-2026 officers are as follows: President-Addison Hunt, Vice President- Tori Schlatter, Secretary- Myrriah Manz, Treasurer- Mariah Klopfenstein, Reporter- Vivienne Myers, Sentinel- Delaney Johanns, Student Advisor- Darcy Taylor, Parliamentarian- Ava Leatherman, and Chaplin- Jacob Harris. We want to thank everyone who came out to the banquet and the community who made the great year we had possible!
