The Gillett FFA hosted its annual banquet on Sunday, May 3, at Romy’s Holiday Inn. Hallie Kopczynski, 2015 Wisconsin FFA Section 8 vice president, was the keynote speaker.
Josh Yonker, Gillett FFA Alumni president, gave greetings on behalf of the alumni.
The Discovery Degree was bestowed on the following middle school members who have been active in FFA and taken an agriculture class: Ashley Britton, Summer Champeau, Samantha Kahler, Annie Kohls, Sydney Young, Justin Engebretsen, Jerika Heroux, Wyatt Herzog and Brice Winkler. Jerika Heroux was presented with the Outstanding Middle School Member Award.
The Greenhand Degree was given to 15 first-year high school members: Noah Badeau, Kalea Britton, Hanna Brock, Lauren Herzog , Elizabeth Kahler, Evan Rank, Wezley Strebel, Mark Vorpahl, Reid Winkler, Taylor Yonker, Alex Young , Monica Ibarra, Sarah Nauke, Mark Fischer and Leeland Kahler. Hanna Brock and Evan Rank were recognized with the Star Greenhand Award.
High school members who have received the Greenhand Degree and continue to go above and beyond in participation were presented with the Chapter Degree: Erin Balthazor, Savannah Hackey, Victoria Loberger, Crystal Marohl, Morgan Lisowe, Taylor Kohls and Maddy Wilbur.
The following members were recognized as the top FFA member in their class based on grade-point average: Alex Young, freshman; Erin Balthazor, sophomore; Jacob Timm, junior; Taylor Kohls and Maddy Wilbur, seniors.
Gillett FFA members were active in several career development events this year. Jacob Timm participated in the discussion meet at the district speaking contest and competed in agronomy. The dairy cattle evaluation team included Lauren Herzog, Elizabeth Kahler and Maddy Wilbur.
The following students were recognized for their supervised agricultural experience programs in which they applied what they learned in the classroom to real-life experiences and learned how to keep records: Noah Badeau, Small Animal Production & Care; Kalea Britton, Poultry Production; Hanna Brock, Diversified Agricultural Production & Dairy Production; Lauren Herzog, Dairy Production; Elizabeth Kahler, Dairy Production; Evan Rank, Ag Sales; Wezley Strebel, Small Animal Production & Care; Mark Vorpahl, Ag Education; Reid Winkler, Beef Production & Dairy Production; Taylor Yonker, Beef Production; Alex Young, Ag Processing; Erin Balthazor, Equine Production; Savannah Hackey, Equine Production; Monica Ibarra, Dairy Production & Food Service; Victoria Loberger, Small Animal Production & Care; Crystal Marohl, Small Animal Production & Care; Sarah Nauke, Diversified Agricultural Production; Logan Doll, Greenhouse Management & Organic Agriculture; Mark Fisher, Ag Sales & Food Science; Leeland Kahler, Dairy Production; Morgan Lisowe, Small Animal Production & Care; Thomas Nauke, Diversified Agricultural Production & Ag Mechanics; Jacob Timm, Beef Production & Diversified Agricultural Production; Taylor Kohls, Dairy Production; and Maddy Wilbur, Dairy Production.
Danielle Timm and Jacob Timm completed an extensive application to submit to the state level. Danielle Timm received a gold rating and will be recognized at the Wisconsin FFA Convention in June.
Hanna Brock was named top salesperson. Jacob Timm received second place, and Aubrey DeBauch placed third in fundraising sales that helped support the Gillett FFA chapter and activities.
Maddy Wilbur was named the 2015 DeKalb Award Winner. This award is given annually to a senior member who exemplifies agricultural advocacy, hard work and commitment.
The retiring officers were Jacob Timm, president; Hanna Brock, vice president; Thomas Nauke, secretary; Morgan Lisowe, treasurer; and Evan Rank, reporter. They were thanked for their year of dedication to the chapter.
The 2015-2016 officer team will be led by Jacob Timm, president; Hanna Brock, vice president; Kalea Britton, secretary; Morgan Lisowe, treasurer; Evan Rank, reporter; and Logan Doll, sentinel.
