Thursday, January 08, 2009

The Brokaw FFA Chapter of Clarinda held its annual Parent/Member Banquet on Thursday, March 13. Many FFA members and community members received awards and recognition for the outstanding work that they have put into the local FFA chapter this past year.

Shadoe Steeve and Meghan Walters were the recipients of the Neil Johnston Scholarship, which is an award of $250 to the deserving senior member or members going into post-secondary studies in an agricultural major. Kody Sump received the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, which is awarded to a senior member who has exhibited outstanding leadership and scholastic qualities toward his or her FFA group and school. Cassie McNees was awarded the Star Greenhand Award, which is awarded to a deserving first-year member and is based on level of activity during his or her first year as well as their SAE project that is in place. Kam Hartstack received the Star Chapter Farmer Award, given to the FFA member who has a strong production supervised agricultural experience program in place, and Shadoe Steeve received the Star Entrepreneurship SAE Award for his strong feeder calf SAE program. The Top Fruit Salesperson Award was awarded to Aubrey Behrhorst. Retiring officer plaques were presented to the 2007-2008 officer team, with the following members receiving plaques: Nevada Turner, Laura Beaver, Meghan Walters, Shadoe Steeve, Kam Hartstack, and Jill McCall. Mr. Bill Lawrence received the Honorary Chapter FFA Degree, for his continued support and cooperation with the Brokaw chapter.

In other awards, contest and participation certificates and pins were handed out to all FFA contest participants during the school year. Leadership pins were awarded to deserving members from each grade level, with Christy Williamson, Emma Sunderman, Nevada Turner, and Levi Sunderman receiving pins.

Scholarship pins were awarded to members from each grade level with the highest cumulative GPA, with Lindsey Poore, Emma Sunderman, Jenna Holt, and Kody Sump receiving pins. Greenhand Degree pins and Chapter Degree pins were awarded to those members who have successfully completed the requirements for these two degrees as well.

Former Brokaw FFA member and current Iowa State FFA Reporter Sarah Beaver was the featured speaker at the banquet. Beaver spoke to the FFA members about determination and not giving up, and her message was well received by the chapter.

Finally, appreciation certificates were awarded to community members who have helped the FFA chapter in different ways throughout the school year. Receiving certificates of appreciation were: Jen Comer, Wendell Woldruff, the Clarinda Police Department, Joyce Johansen, Melanie Johnson, Dick Johnson, the Clarinda Co-Op, the Page County Cattlemen, and Darin Sunderman.