Receiving Chapter Awards during the Wawasee FFA Awards Banquet were, in front from left, Madelyn Zimmerman, Emily Sabin, Lilly McCulloch, Leina Helfers and Arrington Krull. In the back row are Jared Beer, Jay Duncan, Evan Coblentz, Matt Rhodes, EllaMae Reiff, Josh Wuthrich and Kayla Estrada.

SYRACUSE — The 2019 Wawasee FFA Awards Banquet was held Tuesday evening, April 23, at Wawasee High School with more than 270 members, parents and guests in attendance. Wawasee Food Services Department prepared the meal with Maple Leaf Farms providing the entrees.

The 2018-19 Wawasee FFA Chapter officers presided during the meeting, introducing special guests and presenting awards. The officers are as follows: president, Evan Coblentz; vice president, Logan Hollar; secretary, Ryan Zorn; treasurer, Connor Grumme; reporter, EllaMae Reiff.

The chapter recognized corporate and award sponsors in a special slide show. Corporate and award sponsors in 2019 were Bart’s Water Sports, Dr. Gervas & Ann Schafer, Arlen & Shirley Bobeck, Sherm & Colleen Bryant, Crestview Farms, Farm Credit Services, Mark & Denise Grady, Horizon Bank, Jackson Oil & Solvents, Knights of Columbus, Maple Leaf Farms, Northern Indiana Johnnie Poppers, Matt & Mariah Roberts, Doug & Doreen Ruch, Sands Office Equipment, Schlipf Precision Ag, Tom Farms LLC, Randy and Eldonna Warren. The sponsors support the organization’s award and scholarship fund, national activities fund and college credits fund.

Receiving Certificates of Appreciation Awards were Lyn Crighton, Matt Grady, Jeff & Michelle Helfers and Rachel Platt. Honorary Chapter FFA Degrees were presented to Allen Coblentz and Joe & Myra Sands.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals in the community who have continually demonstrated their support and encouragement to the FFA. The Darr family (Mark & Denise Grady, Doug & Doreen Ruch, and Crestview Farms) received this award for their annual sponsorship of the Ray E. Darr Memorial Scholarship.

A slide show presentation of member’s projects and activities preceded the member awards presentation. Qualifying first and second year members also received their greenhand and chapter pins, respectively. Students who participated in state career development events were awarded with their state pins.

Additional member award winner resumes were read by Chris Fleming, a 2013 graduate of Wawasee High School and the 2019 Wawasee FFA alumni honoree.

The 2019 Chapter Awards were presented to the following: Freshman Leadership Award, Arrington Krull; Sophomore Leadership Award, Lilly McCulloch; Junior Leadership Award, Josh Wuthrich; DeKalb Senior Leadership Award, Emily Sabin; Advisor’s Awards, Leina Helfers, EllaMae Reiff, Evan Coblentz and Matt Rhodes; Blue and Gold Award, Emily Sabin; Chapter Star Discovery, Jay Duncan and Jared Beer; Chapter Star Greenhand, Arrington Krull; Chapter Star in Agriscience, Madelyn Zimmerman; Chapter Star in Agribusiness, Logan Hollar; Chapter Star in Agriculture Placement, Kayla Estrada; Chapter Star Farmer, Madelyn Zimmerman; Agriculture Education Scholarship, Matt Rhodes; Ray E. Darr Memorial Scholarship, Emily Sabin and Madelyn Zimmerman; Chad Beer Memorial Scholarship, Madelyn Zimmerman.

Pins Awarded

Greenhand pins were presented to Sophia Grumme, Leina Helfers, Arrington Krull, Serena Lesko, Austin Myers and Jake Wilkinson. Chapter pins were presented to Justin Beer, Lilly McCulloch, Andrea Mickley, Abigail Morehead, Kiaundra Olson, EllaMae Reiff and Josh Wuthrich. Hoosier Awards were presented to Evan Coblentz, Logan Hollar, Gabe Sidwell and Ryan Zorn.

Career development event state pins for 2018-19 were presented to Adam Beer, Justin Beer, Jackson Templin, Emily Sabin, Austin Murphy, Jared Beer, Justin Mullet, Charlie Krull and Emerson Krull in soils. For horticulture, pins were awarded to Kayla Estrada, Connor Grumme, Emily Sabin, Jenna Weiler, Allison Saylor, Matt Rhodes and Chance Raney. For small engines, pins were given to Joel Nyce and Alexis Matney. For dairy last spring, pins were awarded to Evan Coblentz, Jackson Templin, Logan Hollar and Logan Mast. Livestock (last spring) pins were given to Madelyn Zimmerman, Justin Beer, Cameron Zimmerman and Jared Beer. Poultry (last spring) pins were given to Connor Grumme, Ryan Zorn, Alexis Matney, Reagan Dailey, Clara Hardy and Gabe Sidwell. Emily Sabin was given a pin for her supervised agriculture experience proficiency award application in landscape management. For ag mechanics, Gabe Sidwell, Austin Murphy and Alexis Matney received pins and Connor Grumme received a pin for ag sales.

Chapter Officers For 2019-20

The banquet concluded with the installation of the 2019-20 chapter officers: president, Evan Coblentz; vice president, Josh Wuthrich; student advisor, EllaMae Reiff; secretary, Leina Helfers; treasurer, Logan Hollar; reporter, Jacob Wilkinson; sentinel, Arrington Krull.

Community members honored during the Wawasee FFA Awards Banquet were, in front from left, Allen Coblentz, Michelle Helfers, Denise Grady and Doreen and Doug Ruch. In the back row are Jeff Helfers and Myra and Joe Sands.