HOWARD — The East Knox FFA chapter conducted its annual member awards banquet in the High School Gymnasium on Wednesday following a catered meal in the cafeteria.
Approximately 240 members, parents, and guests were in attendance. Scholarship awards were given to members with a 3.5 or higher overall Grade Point Average. They were seniors Alexandria Magers and Janyka Goheen; juniors Dustin Springer, Hailey Frazee, and Josh Henwood; sophomore Katy Frailey; and freshmen Aubrey Breckler, Ella Divan, Maria Goodman, Aidan Holobaugh, Tanner Keller, Sarah Landis, Dylan Springer, Reese Todd, and Molly Totten.
Trenton Comer, Ethan Phillis, and Andrew Poff were recognized for achieving the State FFA Degree which will be awarded at the State FFA Convention on May 6. Cheyenne Anders, Brooklyn Cunningham, and Shelby Dugan were recognized for the American FFA Degree that they were awarded last October at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.
Officer pins were presented to the newly elected 2022-2023 team which are: Hailey Frazee – president, Ethan Phillis – vice president, Dustin Springer – secretary, Blake Elliott – treasurer, Dylan Springer – reporter, Braylon Evans – sentinel, Hayden Baker – student advisor, Quentin White – historian, and Angel Simmons – parliamentarian.
Retiring officers plaques were presented to the seniors who served as 2021 – 2022 officers. They were Alexandria Magers – president, Andrew Poff – vice president, and Trenton Comer – student advisor.
There were 42 FFA members presented with career development event awards and recognized for competing in one or more of the chapters 19 different district elimination or state-level contests.
First-year members received the Greenhand Degree. They were Hayden Baker, Ayris Blankenship, Allison Boggs, Blake Bonham, Aubrey Breckler, Jon Cisco, Chloe Crawford, Ella Divan, Blake Elliott, Braylon Evans, Janyka Goheen, Maria Goodman, Aidan Holobaugh, Miale Hurlow, Aiden Kapper, Tanner Keller, Sarah Landis, Xander Lucas, Laveda Moran, Andy Rettig, Dylan Springer, Karson Smith, Reese Todd, Molly Totten, Quentin Whiter, and George Wythe.
The Chapter Degree is earned by second-year members. Those receiving this degree were Lane Boggs, Nate Cunningham, Katy Frailey, Colvin Guthrie, Bryar Householder, Will Jensen, Brayden Lemley, Angel Simmons, Janey Smith, and Raelynn Williams.
Third-year award plaques were presented to Hailey Frazee, Josh Henwood, Ryan Hubbell, Brendon Merritt, Ethan Phillis, and Dustin Springer.
Fourth-year honors went to Alexandria Magers, Andrew Poff, Trenton Comer, and Nic Steinwender.
Star awards were earned by Dylan Springer and Hayden Baker – Star Greenhand; Angel Simmons – Star Chapter Degree; Hailey Frazee, Dustin Springer, and Ethan Phillis – Outstanding Juniors; Alexandria Magers, Andrew Poff, Nic Steinwender, and Trenton Comer – Outstanding Seniors. Hailey Frazee, JoshHenwood, and Nic Steinwender were presented outstanding service awards for their state gold-rated officer books. Quentin White – first place and Alexandria Magers – second place, were presented the outstanding achievement award as the chapters top fruit salesmen.
The Honorary Chapter Degree was presented to an adult who has contributed outstanding service to the East Knox FFA. This award went to East Knox High School principal Cody Reese. The chapter’s 22nd VIP award was presented to Crystal Gallwitz for her continued support of the East Knox FFA chapter.
In 2018 the chapter started a new award for adults who have continually given tremendous support to the East Knox FFA. It was named the Didinger Service Award in honor of Carol and her husband the late Gary Didinger.
The inaugural award was presented to Carol Didinger with four additional recipients since then. This year the sixth ever Didinger Service Award was presented to Dan and Anna-marie Magers for their continuous and tireless support of the East Knox FFA.
The East Knox FFA would like to thank all who have contributed to their success throughout the year.
