HOWARD — On March 1, 2023, the East Knox FFA chapter conducted its annual member awards banquet in the High School Gymnasium following a catered meal in the cafeteria.
Approximately 310 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 Dustin Springer and Hailey Frazee; junior Jesse Wolford; sophomores Ayris Blankenship, Aubrey Breckler, Ella Divan, Dylan Springer, Reese Todd, and Molly Totten; and freshmen Spencer Bennett, Jeffrey Cook, Owen Cunningham, Kellen Grigsby, Sam King, Jaxon Lester, Brooklyn Morand, Zeke Proudfoot, Peyton Riel, Aidan Riggle, and Jasmine Smith.
Trenton Comer, Kalvin Gallwitz, Alexandria Magers, and Joci Totten were recognized as American FFA Degree candidates. Their applications have cleared the State and they will get final notification in July and if approved will be awarded their degree at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on November 4, 2023.
Officer pins were presented to the newly elected 2022-2023 team which are: Dylan Springer – president, Hayden Baker – vice president, Jesse Wolford -secretary, Blake Elliott – treasurer, Aiden Kapper – reporter, Quentin White – sentinel, Braylon Evans -student advisor, Brianna Steinwender – historian, Mackenzie Wilson – parliamentarian, and Chase Temple – chaplain. Retiring officers plaques were presented to the seniors who served as 2022 – 2023 officers. They were Hailey Frazee – president, Ethan Phillis – vice president, and Dustin Springer – secretary.
Fifty-five different FFA members were presented with career development event awards and recognized for competing in one or more of the chapters twenty-one different district elimination or state-level contests.
First year members received the Greenhand Degree. They were Alex Anderson, Ariel Atkinson, Logan Auck, Anthony Baxter, Spencer Bennett, Jeffrey Cook, Owen Cunningham, Landen Davis, Max Dexter, James Farley, Peyton Finch, John Flack, Wyatt Frost, Connor Fusion-Masters, Shane Gardner, Preston Gibson, Brianna Goodman, James Grennell, Zayne Grennell, Kellen Grigsby, Emily Hershberger, Luke Holsinger, Spencer Jepsen, Beau Keller, Sam King, Sylas Lamneck , Jaxon Lester, Joseph Lively, Arianna Mayle, Brody Mills, Brooklyn Morand , Hunter Moore, Dmetrius Negron, Savanna Pack , Ashton Priest , Zeke Proudfoot, Peyton Riel, Aidan Riggle, Gianna Ruhl, Brayden Savage, Brylan Smail , Jasmine Smith, Briana Steinwender, Spencer White, Mackenzie Wilson, Lavrey Wimer-Tish, and Jesse Wolford.
The Chapter Degree is earned by second year members. Those receiving this degree were Hayden Baker, Ayris Blankenship, Allison Boggs, Aubrey Breckler, Jon Cisco, Ella Divan, Blake Elliott, Braylon Evans, Aiden Kapper, Josh Kauila-Volk, Andy Rettig, Dylan Springer, Karson Smith, Chase Temple, Savannah ThomasReese Todd, Molly Totten, and Quentin White.
Third year award plaques were presented to Nate Cunningham, Abby Rinehart, Angel Simmons, and Landon Spearman.
Fourth year honors went to Ed Aeppli, Hailey Frazee, Brendon Merritt, Ethan Phillis, and Dustin Springer.
Star awards were earned by Ariel Atkinson, Brianna Steinwender, and Mackenzie Wilson – Star Greenhand; Jesse Wolford – Non-Freshman Star Greenhand; Hayden Baker and Dylan Springer – Star Chapter Degree; Jon Cisco – Non-Sophomore Star Chapter Degree; Angel Simmons – Outstanding Junior; Hailey Frazee and Dustin Springer – Outstanding Seniors. Dustin Springer, Blake Elliott, and Dylan Springer were presented outstanding service awards for their state gold-rated officer books. Hayden Baker – first place, Quentin White – second place, and Mackenzie – third place were presented the outstanding achievement award as the chapters top fruit salesmen.
The Honorary Chapter Degree was presented to adults who have contributed outstanding service to the East Knox FFA. This award went to East Knox High School teacher Kevin Oldaker and maintenance staff members Homer Simmons and Josh Grennell. The chapters’ twenty-third VIP award was presented to Cody Reese for his 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 five additional recipients since then. This year the seventh ever Didinger Service Award was presented to Crystal Gallwitz for her 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.
