#ICYMI: “The banquet hall will come to order.” Garden Spot FFA holds annual banquet

On March 16, Garden Spot FFA held its annual banquet to celebrate our member’s accomplishments and thank those who have supported our chapter this past year.
Garden Spot FFA Chapter group picture
We had 200 members and guests present this year including special guests such as Lampeter-Strasburg School District board members and administration. As well as the Pennsylvania State FFA Sentinel, Garrett Jenkins and members of Pennsylvania government such as Representative Keith Greiner, Representative David Zimmerman, and Dr. Scott Sheely who is the Special Assistant for Workforce Development of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

A tradition of the FFA is to recognize its members for their accomplishments throughout the school year. We has 39 members receive degrees and 5 members of the community receive the Certificate of appreciation.

Our Discovery degree recipients included Austyn Adcock, Jasmine Thompson, Stuart Newswanger, Carson Garver, Hosanna Hoover, Keegan Johns, Cyrek Johns, Chyenne Oberdorf, Jackson Price, Owen Witmer, Gwenn Spotts, Hannah Broderson, Emily Loraw, and Owen Risser. These are our 7th and 8th grade members who have been active in our Jr. FFA program.
2016-2017 Officer Team
Our Greenhand degree recipients included Mikayla Miller, Jess Herr, Grace Hess, Hadassah Hoover, Isabella Eckert, Stephanie Mays, Steven Shepherd, Tyler Stoltzfus, Logan Wright, Cam Webb, Gracie Hess, Danae Ranck, Jared Risser, Hannah-Grace Baxter, Roddie Rice and Tobias Leaman. The Greenhand degree goes to our active first year members. We awarded a Star Greenhand to a member who went above and beyond the expectations of a first year member; Jared Risser.

We awarded Jordan Martin, Luke Stauffer, Leah Welk, Isabella Eckert, Bryce Good, and Hannah-Grace Baxter with the Chapter degree. The Chapter degree goes to a member who has received their Greenhand degree, has completed a Supervised Agriculture Experience and competed in a Career Development Event or Leadership Development Event. This year we gave out two Star Chapter awards; Jordan Martin and Leah Welk.

We recognized Kyle Spotts and Megan Mellinger for getting the Red Rose degree which they will receive at the Lancaster County FFA Association banquet in May.

Connor Ranck was recognized for receiving the state degree, the Keystone, at the Mid-Winter convention in January.

Certificate of Appreciation award winners included Mr. Matt Hess for his help in CDE practices and presentations he gave in our ag classes, Ms. Laura Brenner who helped with officer interviews and job interviews for the vet science classes, Mr. Dale Hershey represented the Lancaster County Agriculture Council, and Mrs. Swarr and Mrs. Rettew who helped prepare three of our members for Public Speaking LDE’s this year.

After awards winners were recognized, members gave speeches on events that occurred throughout the year such as the West Lampeter Fair, Fruit Sale, and Ag and Food Careers Week.

At the end of the evening the 2017-2018 officer team was announced:

President: Megan Mellinger
Vice President: Leah Welk
Treasurer: Jordan Martin
Assistant Treasurer: Tyler Stoltzfus
Secretary: Jess Herr
Reporter: Mikayla Miller
Assistant Reporter: Danae Ranck
Sentinel: Bryce Good
Student Advisor: Kyle Spotts
Chaplain: Hadassah Hoover

--Megan Mellinger, LS News FFA Reporter

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